CM Hemant Soren directs expansion of farmer welfare schemes

Pushes millet cultivation and technology-driven agriculture

Pioneer News Service

Ranchi

Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Friday directed officials to strengthen the implementation of agriculture, animal husbandry and cooperative sector programmes, stressing that every eligible farmer must receive the benefits of government schemes in a transparent and time-bound manner.

Chairing a high-level review meeting of the Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Cooperation Department at the Jharkhand Ministry, Soren assessed the progress of schemes undertaken during the 2025-26 financial year and reviewed the roadmap for the current fiscal. Agriculture Minister Shilpi Neha Tirkey was also present at the meeting.

Emphasising that agriculture and livestock remain the backbone of the state’s rural economy, the Chief Minister instructed officials to ensure timely distribution of seeds, fertilizers, technical guidance and other essential inputs to farmers. He also reviewed the implementation of key initiatives, including the Kisan Credit Card scheme, Livestock Development Scheme, cold storage projects, LAMPS and PACS, cooperative societies, agricultural marketing infrastructure and water source rejuvenation.

Soren directed the department to promote the cultivation of pulses and millets across Jharkhand, particularly in districts prone to low rainfall. He said millet production holds immense potential in the state and asked officials to encourage farmers to adopt crops requiring less water while also promoting organic farming, commercial agriculture and water conservation-based farming practices.

To strengthen farmers’ capacity, the CM instructed officials to establish at least one model Farmer School in every district by identifying a suitable village or panchayat. These centres will provide technology-driven agricultural training in coordination with agricultural universities and other institutions. Officials informed the meeting that 57 Farmer Schools are currently operational in the state.

He also directed the department to organise divisional-level agriculture trade fairs on the lines of the recently held State Agriculture Trade Fair in Ranchi, with the objective of promoting innovation, market linkages and knowledge-sharing among farmers.

Soren laid special emphasis on expanding the coverage of the Kisan Samriddhi Yojana, under which solar-powered irrigation pump sets are provided to farmers to reduce cultivation costs and dependence on conventional electricity. He instructed officials to accelerate distribution of solar pumps and coordinate with JREDA for the effective implementation of both the Kisan Samriddhi Yojana and the PM Kusum Scheme.

Reviewing the prevailing low rainfall situation, the Chief Minister directed officials to prepare contingency plans for drought-prone areas, especially in the Palamu division, and develop an efficient agricultural procurement system. He also instructed the department to identify cultivable fallow land district-wise and prepare action plans for bringing such land under productive agricultural use.

The Chief Minister announced several initiatives aimed at diversifying farm-based livelihoods. He directed officials to establish mushroom training centres in every district, map mushroom growers, and encourage women farmers to form producer groups for mushroom cultivation and spawn production. He also stressed promoting beekeeping and instructed the department to provide protective equipment to beekeepers.

In the animal husbandry sector, Soren called for greater focus on dairy development, goat rearing, piggery, poultry farming and fisheries to strengthen rural incomes. He asked officials to improve breeding farms, expand livestock distribution, ensure regular vaccination and modern veterinary services, and prepare a database of livestock farmers linked with the state’s milk federation. He also proposed developing commercial livestock models and organising divisional-level livestock fairs.

The CM further directed officials to strengthen cooperative institutions by making LAMPS and PACS more active in procurement, seed distribution, digital operations and direct payment systems. He said top cooperative societies should be developed as centres of excellence linked with PACS across the state.

During the review, Soren also interacted with farmers and officials through video conferencing. He reviewed the functioning of a Farmer School in Garhwa, spoke to a beneficiary farmer from Dumka about his farming practices and government assistance, and sought a detailed report on cashew cultivation in Jamtara, underscoring the government’s commitment to promoting technology-led, climate-resilient and income-enhancing agriculture across Jharkhand.