Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Saturday urged states to adopt a strategic approach to budget utilisation, warning that delays in spending allocated funds result in losses for states and hamper the timely release of subsequent central instalments.
Addressing a review meeting with state agriculture ministers, Chouhan said states must ensure that funds earmarked for various schemes are spent before March to avoid administrative bottlenecks that delay the effective implementation of programmes.
"If states are unable to spend their budgets on time, it only results in losses for them," the minister said, adding that budget allocations are often held up due to minor administrative and procedural issues.
The meeting reviewed the progress and budget utilisation of central agriculture schemes, including the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (PM-RKVY) and Krishonnati Yojana (KY).
Chouhan stressed the need for prompt verification of eligible farmers under the PM-KISAN scheme, expanding coverage under the crop insurance scheme and ensuring timely settlement of claims. He also emphasised the importance of seed and fertiliser availability, their balanced use and strengthening central-state coordination.
The meeting was attended by agriculture ministers from Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, and Mizoram, along with Agriculture Secretary Devesh Chaturvedi and senior ministry officials.
Chouhan assured states that the Central government would continue to provide support to strengthen the agriculture sector and safeguard farmers' interests, an official statement said.
PM-RKVY is a flagship initiative of the Centre aimed at promoting holistic agricultural development. Launched in 2007, it focuses on incentivising states to increase public investment in agriculture and allied sectors. The scheme seeks to ensure food security, enhance farmers’ income and reduce rural poverty by encouraging states to develop region-specific plans for agricultural growth.
The scheme emphasises infrastructure development, adoption of modern technologies, value addition and marketing initiatives to strengthen the agricultural supply chain. It supports innovations like organic farming, water conservation and high-value crop cultivation, besides empowering farmers by improving access to credit, quality seeds, fertilisers and irrigation facilities.
Also read: 2025 saw record farm output amid GST cuts
Follow us
