Published on: July 08, 2026
By: BTNI
Location: Rajnandgaon, India
The Agriculture Department has urged farmers in Rajnandgaon district to avoid cultivating paddy in rainfed and upland areas solely based on higher rainfall this season. Instead, farmers have been advised to adopt alternative crops such as pulses, oilseeds, maize, and cotton, which are more suitable for such land conditions and offer better economic returns.
Under the PM-AASHA Krishak Unnati Yojana, the government is providing an incentive of ₹15,000 per acre to encourage crop diversification.
Rainfall Higher Than Last Year
According to the Agriculture Department, Rajnandgaon has recorded approximately 1,700 mm of rainfall so far during the current Kharif season, compared to 1,500 mm during the same period last year—an increase of nearly 200 mm.
Despite the higher rainfall, officials emphasized that farmers should not decide to grow paddy solely based on rainfall. Instead, they should select crops according to soil type and scientific recommendations.
Alternative Crops Recommended for Upland Areas
Deputy Director of Agriculture Tikam Singh Thakur said the district’s agricultural land mainly consists of black loam, matasi, and bharri soils. Upland and bharri soils do not retain rainwater for long periods, making them unsuitable for paddy cultivation.
The department has recommended the following crops for such areas:
- Pigeon Pea (Arhar)
- Black Gram (Urad)
- Green Gram (Moong)
- Soybean
- Maize
- Cotton
Alternative Crops Can Generate Higher Income
Based on crop-cutting experiments and productivity analysis conducted by the Agriculture Department, rainfed paddy fields produce an average of 8–10 quintals per acre, generating a gross income of approximately ₹19,528–₹24,410 per acre.
In comparison, alternative crops can provide significantly better returns:
| Crop | Expected Yield | Estimated Gross Income |
|---|---|---|
| Pigeon Pea (Arhar) | 4–5 quintals/acre | ₹32,000–₹40,000 |
| Green Gram (Moong) | 3–4 quintals/acre | ₹26,304–₹35,072 |
| Black Gram (Urad) | 3–4 quintals/acre | ₹23,400–₹31,200 |
| Soybean | 5–7 quintals/acre | ₹26,640–₹37,296 |
MSP Support Available
The Central Government has announced the following Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for the 2026–27 marketing season:
- Pigeon Pea (Arhar): ₹8,000 per quintal
- Green Gram (Moong): ₹8,768 per quintal
- Black Gram (Urad): ₹7,800 per quintal
- Soybean: ₹5,328 per quintal
These crops are procured under the Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA), ensuring farmers receive remunerative prices.
₹15,000 Per Acre Incentive for Crop Diversification
The Agriculture Department stated that under the PM-AASHA Krishak Unnati Yojana, farmers cultivating pulses, oilseeds, maize, or cotton instead of paddy in rainfed areas will receive an incentive of ₹15,000 per acre.
The initiative aims to promote climate-resilient agriculture, reduce water consumption, improve soil health, and enhance farmers’ incomes.
Advisory to Farmers
The Agriculture Department has advised farmers to:
- Choose crops based on soil type rather than rainfall alone.
- Promote climate-resilient and sustainable farming practices.
- Adopt crop diversification to increase profitability.
- Seek technical guidance from Rural Agriculture Extension Officers, Agriculture Development Officers, or the nearest Agriculture Department office before sowing.
The department believes that adopting alternative crops in suitable areas will help farmers earn better returns while conserving water and ensuring sustainable agricultural growth.
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