In a major push towards sustainable agriculture and farmer welfare, the Government of Maharashtra has announced a new scheme titled ‘Krishi Samruddhi’, aimed at transforming the agricultural sector across the state. The scheme, to be implemented by Maharashtra’s Agriculture Department, comes with a significant investment of Rs. 25,000 crore over the next five years, with a focus on empowering farmers and building climate-resilient farming systems.
KEY OBJECTIVES OF THE KRISHI SAMRUDDHI SCHEME
Farmer Empowerment: At the heart of the Krishi Samruddhi scheme lies the goal of empowering farmers. The scheme provides financial assistance to promote the adoption of modern agricultural technologies, improve soil health, enhance water-use efficiency, and support post-harvest value addition. In addition, the government will offer extensive training and extension services to educate farmers on best practices and innovative techniques in agriculture.
Promotion of Sustainable and Climate-Resilient Farming: Recognizing the growing impact of climate change on agriculture, Krishi Samruddhi aims to introduce climate-resilient farming techniques. The scheme will encourage the use of eco-friendly and cost-effective methods to preserve natural resources, reduce the carbon footprint, and ensure long-term agricultural sustainability.
Investment and Infrastructure Development: The scheme emphasizes large-scale investment in modern agricultural infrastructure, including better rural connectivity, improved storage facilities, and efficient market access systems. These initiatives are intended to improve the profitability and viability of farming in rural Maharashtra by strengthening the overall agri-value chain.
Crop Diversification: To minimize the risks associated with mono-cropping and climate vulnerabilities, Krishi Samruddhi promotes crop diversification. Farmers will be encouraged to grow high-value alternate crops, which not only improve soil health but also fetch better prices. The scheme also supports upgradation of processing, packaging, and marketing infrastructure to increase farmer margins.
Agro-Technology Adoption: With agriculture becoming increasingly tech-driven, the scheme promotes the adoption of agro-technologies tailored to regional climatic and soil conditions. These include precision farming tools, data-based crop planning, and smart irrigation systems.
Krishi Samruddhi reflects the Maharashtra Government’s visionary approach to agricultural development. By focusing on farmer welfare, sustainability, infrastructure, and technology, the scheme aims to revolutionize farming practices in the state, ensuring increased productivity, profitability, and resilience in the face of climate change.
