Fair to educate farmers on new technologies, crop diversification, and sustainable resource management
CM launches “Har Ghar Chhaon–Har Ghar Phal” scheme
Punjab Newsline, Chandigarh-
Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini called upon farmers to adopt agricultural diversification and give priority to the production of coarse grains. He said that the Haryana govt always stands firmly with farmers and is continuously taking concrete steps to make agriculture more profitable and sustainable. Encouraging farmers to embrace new opportunities, the CM said that by adopting activities such as medicinal plant cultivation, beekeeping, mushroom production, and vegetable, flower, and fruit farming, farmers can multiply their income. He assured that the state government will continue to provide all possible facilities, incentives, and support to farmers in this direction.
The Chief Minister was addressing a large gathering after inaugurating the Rabi Agriculture Fair organized by Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, on Sunday. On this occasion, he also launched the ‘Har Ghar Chhaon – Har Ghar Phal’ scheme, under which 55,000 fruit saplings will be distributed free of cost in 110 villages across 22 districts. As part of this initiative, saplings were distributed to farmers during the event.
The Chief Minister also distributed dummy cheques of up to Rs 40,000 to 50 cattle rearers under the Conservation and Development of Indigenous Cows and Murrah Development Scheme. In addition, he presented dairy establishment approval letters to 75 women entrepreneurs. He inaugurated the Dattopant Thengadi Agricultural Entrepreneurship Center on the university campus and also inaugurated the Kalpana Chawla Women’s Hostel and Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Women’s Hostel.
Highlighting the contribution of the university, the Chief Minister said that CCSHAU is a center of pride for the entire nation, where scientists are working tirelessly on agricultural research and solutions to farmers’ problems. He emphasized that agricultural fairs serve as an important platform for dialogue between scientists and farmers, providing valuable knowledge on new technologies, crop diversification, and natural resource management. This, he said, will help farmers reduce costs and increase production. He stressed the importance of harmony between agriculture and nature, calling for collective efforts of the government, scientists, and farmers.
The Chief Minister said that the need of the hour is to cultivate less water-intensive crops. To promote such practices, the government launched the ‘Mera Pani Meri Virasat’ scheme in 2020. Under this scheme, farmers growing alternative crops instead of paddy or leaving their fields fallow are provided Rs 8,000 per acre as financial assistance. So far, Rs 157 crore has been given to farmers for sowing alternative crops on 2.2 lakh acres.
He added that the government is also encouraging micro-irrigation techniques such as rainwater harvesting, drip irrigation, and sprinkler irrigation. Farmers are being provided up to 85% subsidy for adopting these technologies, as well as for the construction of ponds. In addition, 27 projects have been prepared to utilize treated water from sewage treatment plants for irrigation, out of which 11 have been completed. These projects will provide a sustainable source of irrigation, reduce pressure on canals, and help prevent over-exploitation of groundwater.
Before being a Chief Minister, I am a farmer; farmers’ interests are paramount – Saini
Saini, said that being a farmer’s son who has himself worked in the fields, he understands the problems of farmers deeply. He said that before being the Chief Minister, he is first a farmer, and for him, the interests of farmers are always paramount. He said that in Haryana, all 24 crops are procured at the Minimum Support Price (MSP). Under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana, an amount of Rs 6,917 crore has been deposited directly into the accounts of about 20 lakh farmers in the state. Over the last 10 crop seasons, Rs 1.48 lakh crore has been transferred into the accounts of 12 lakh farmers for MSP procurement.
He informed that under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, farmers have received Rs 15,145 crore as compensation for crop loss and insurance claims. In contrast, the previous government, during its 10-year tenure, had released only Rs 1,155 crore for crop damage. The Chief Minister added that in 2024, for the first time in Haryana’s history, the government provided a bonus of Rs 1,345 crore to farmers for all Kharif crops, at the rate of Rs 2,000 per acre.
Referring to the excess rainfall and floods in Kharif 2025, Saini said that the government has sought information on crop losses through the e-Kshatipurti portal to provide timely relief. He urged agricultural scientists to develop waterlogging-resistant and drought-tolerant crop varieties to help farmers in adverse weather conditions.