Over 3.4 lakh houses to be built in rural areas of Rajasthan: Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan
Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan has announced that the Department of Rural Development will build more than 3.41 lakh houses for the poor and farmers in Rajasthan under PM Awas Yojana (Rural), with an investment of Rs 4,099 crore.
He also praised Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma for his efforts to promote the development of “New Rajasthan” and highlighted how the Rising Rajasthan Global Investment Summit will attract significant investment, especially in the agricultural sector, with a focus on food processing.
Chauhan made these remarks while addressing an industry conference on ‘Agribusiness Start-ups Up the Value Chain’ at the Rising Rajasthan Global Investment Summit held at JECC on Tuesday.
He emphasized that working for farmers is like serving, and said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, efforts are underway to position India as a food basket for the world.
He also outlined a 6-point strategy designed to improve the welfare of farmers, which includes the development of 109 new varieties of seeds, such as sorghum and paddy, which promise high yields in a short period of time. Referring to the PKC-ERCP integrated project, Chauhan termed it as a boon for farmers in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.
The Union Minister also highlighted the central government’s focus on modernizing agricultural practices and providing affordable loans to farmers to reduce production costs.
He noted that the government is providing immediate relief by adjusting export policies and supporting soybean farmers by applying a 27.5% import tax on palm oil. Additionally, the government continues to purchase crops at Minimum Support Prices (MSP). Chauhan concluded by ensuring that a prosperous and independent India was built.
Prime Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma spoke about the state’s progress in the power and water sectors under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He assured that the state government is committed to ensuring adequate water supply to both the agricultural and industrial sectors, with plans to make Rajasthan self-sufficient in electricity by 2027. Sharma also promised to fulfill the needs of the investors attending the Rising Rajasthan Summit.
The Chief Minister also highlighted Rajasthan’s position as a leading agricultural state, benefiting from diverse climates and fertile land. Rajasthan ranks high in the country for the production of mustard seeds, millets, and oilseeds, and is also a major producer of groundnuts, soybeans, gram, and cotton. To promote the growth of agriculture, the state government is setting up the Shri Ann Promotion Agency to promote the production of millets.
Sharma pointed out that the cultivation of oil palm in states like Jaisalmer, Bikaner, and Jodhpur is creating new opportunities for agro-processing and value addition. He also noted the state’s strategic location for transportation and exports, with strong rail, road, and air networks that facilitate access to major markets across India.
To further support this, new warehouses and cold storage facilities are being developed to ensure safe storage and transportation of agricultural products.
Under the Rajasthan Investment Promotion Scheme 2024, the state has introduced special concessions for the agriculture and food processing industries. So far, more than 2,506 MoUs have been signed at the Rising Rajasthan Global Investment Summit, worth an estimated Rs 58,000 crore in agriculture.
Agriculture Minister Kirori Lal Meena added that the Rising Rajasthan Summit attracted participants from 32 countries.
