State-Level Kharif Season Review Meeting Modern Innovations Must Reach Farmers for Their Empowerment – CM Devendra Fadnavis

Farmer’s Digital Friend: Launch of ‘Mahavistar AI’ App by the Chief Minister

Mumbai : Through the ‘Mahavistar’ app developed by the Agriculture Department and based on artificial intelligence, comprehensive agricultural information will be provided to farmers. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis stated that all government mechanisms must work collectively for the empowerment of farmers. He also directed action against companies that force farmers to buy unnecessary seeds.

Under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, the State-level Kharif Season Review Meeting was organized at the Yashwantrao Chavan Centre. On this occasion, the Chief Minister reviewed the various challenges faced by farmers and the measures implemented by the Agriculture Department for farmers. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, Agriculture Minister Adv. Manikrao Kokate, Minister of State Adv. Ashish Jaiswal, and other cabinet members, public representatives, and senior officials were present.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that the Central Government has adopted a Whole of the Government approach for farmers. Similarly, in the state, all related government departments should implement schemes collectively to guide and support farmers. Increasing investment in the agriculture sector to improve productivity is necessary. This will also increase sustainability in agriculture. The department should guide farmers on how to farm as per need and how to use only the required water and fertilizers. Expressing satisfaction over agri-business activities ongoing in 10,000 villages, the Chief Minister suggested holding digital farming schools in each taluka to enhance farmer participation.

This year, above-average rainfall is forecast. Instructing the Agriculture Department to remain alert on how to utilize this for the agriculture sector, the Chief Minister also ordered ensuring there is no shortage of seeds or fertilizers for farmers. He said that bank loans should be disbursed to pull farmers out of the trap of moneylenders. If companies are forcing farmers to purchase unnecessary seeds and fertilizers, criminal cases should be registered against them, he directed. The agriculture sector contributes 11% to the national GDP, yet 45% of the population depends on it. Therefore, more attention must be given to this sector. To make agriculture sustainable, the AgriStack information will be useful, and more farmers should be registered in it, he added.

Joint Implementation of Government Schemes Essential – Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde

Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said that the country and Maharashtra are primarily agricultural, and farming is the soul and the farmer is the food provider. With the onset of the Kharif season, the state’s agriculture mechanisms are fully prepared. Even though the weather is favorable, the Agriculture Department’s planning is more responsible in the context of climate change. He emphasized the need to focus on modern and organic farming. Group farming should be prioritized to increase farmers’ prosperity, production, and income.

He said that agreements have been signed with various companies to increase the use of modern technology in agriculture. Innovations are being encouraged in the state. Through the Jalyukt Shivar Scheme, efforts are underway to raise groundwater levels. Alternatives like bamboo cultivation will add economic value. All departments must jointly implement government policies and schemes so that farmers can be prosperous and happy, he underscored.

Satisfied Farmers Make a Satisfied State – Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar

Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said that there are immense opportunities in agriculture today. With increasing population and urbanization, the government is committed to implementing new concepts like ‘Farm of the Future’. To tackle challenges like AI and climate change, modern technology is being increasingly adopted in agriculture schemes. These innovations are being implemented in the farms of 50,000 farmers in Maharashtra. Along with increased production, efforts are underway to ensure proper market value through market intelligence and supply chains. Due to new research, more production with less water and fertilizers has become possible, and flexibility in cropping patterns has been achieved. Farmers are now rotating crops to obtain higher yields. The government is encouraging good initiatives, he said. If farmers are satisfied, the state will be satisfied, he expressed.

Government Ready to Ensure Successful Kharif Season – Agriculture Minister Adv. Manikrao Kokate

Agriculture Minister Adv. Manikrao Kokate said that Maharashtra recorded a historic growth in agricultural production last year, with a 27% increase in food grain output. This year, Kharif crops will be sown over 152 lakh hectares, with seeds and fertilizers available in more than required quantity. He shared information about the various schemes being implemented by the Agriculture Department. Thousands of villages have been included in the Nanaji Deshmukh Krishi Sanjivani Project and Balasaheb Thackeray Smart Projects. Maharashtra leads the country in agricultural exports, with grapes, pomegranates, mangoes, and vegetables being the major exports. The ‘Gopinath Munde Accident Insurance Scheme’ has been improved for farmers’ protection. Substantial assistance has been distributed to farmers affected by natural calamities. A ₹5,000 crore investment has been approved to promote modern technology in the state. The government is ready to ensure a successful Kharif season, said Mr. Kokate.

Minister of State Adv. Ashish Jaiswal stated that focus will be laid on proper water planning. Considering the problems faced by farmers in DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer), a pilot project of digital currency will be implemented. He appealed to update farmers’ records on the Satbara (land ownership) document to ensure easy access to various schemes.

Principal Secretary of the Agriculture Department, Vikaschandra Rastogi, presented details of the preparedness for the Kharif season and shared information about various ongoing and new schemes. He mentioned that seeds are being made available on the ‘Saathi’ portal and that the Central Government appreciated this initiative. Under the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan, the goal is to reach 13.5 lakh farmers in 6,750 villages.

Principal Secretary of the Cooperation and Marketing Department, Praveen Darade, shared information about crop loan distribution for 2025–26. Agriculture Commissioner Suraj Mandhare, in his introduction, mentioned a target of ₹1 lakh crore in agricultural income this year.

During the event, the Mahavistar App, First-Come Priority Scheme under Maha DBT, and the Agriculture Department’s guidelines booklets were released at the hands of the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Ministers. Chief Secretary Sujata Saunik, Additional Chief Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, Secretaries, and senior officials at divisional and district levels attended the review meeting.