Chhattisgarh Sugarcane Farmers to Get ₹425 per Quintal, Free Oil Palm Saplings and Subsidies

Key Highlights

• Sugarcane procurement rate increased to ₹425 per quintal in Chhattisgarh.

• The revised rate also covers sugarcane purchased during the 2025-26 crushing season.

• Eligible oil palm farmers can receive free saplings and subsidies for irrigation and other facilities.

• Processing companies must ensure timely procurement, prompt payments, and replacement of damaged plants.

• The government plans to double the oil palm cultivation area expansion target next year.

The Chhattisgarh government has announced financial relief for sugarcane farmers by increasing the sugarcane procurement rate to ₹425 per quintal. The revised rate will also apply to sugarcane purchased during the 2025-26 crushing season, ensuring that eligible farmers receive payments at the increased price.

Alongside the decision on sugarcane procurement, the state government is taking steps to promote oil palm cultivation and improve farmers incomes. Under the National Edible Oil Mission-Oil Palm, farmers will receive free saplings and can access subsidies for irrigation and other agricultural facilities as per government rules.

Officials have also been instructed to ensure timely procurement, prompt payments, and the timely distribution of subsidies to farmers.

Chhattisgarh Increases Sugarcane Procurement Rate to ₹425 per Quintal

Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai announced the decision to increase the sugarcane procurement rate during a meeting with a delegation from the Chhattisgarh state unit of the Bharatiya Kisan Sangh. The meeting covered various issues concerning farmers and measures to improve their financial condition.

Under the decision, sugar factories will purchase sugarcane at ₹425 per quintal. The revised rate will also apply to sugarcane procured during the 2025-26 crushing season, allowing farmers whose produce was purchased during this period to benefit from the increased price.

The Bharatiya Kisan Sangh delegation included Organisation Minister Manish Sharma and General Secretary Naveen Shesh. The representatives thanked the Chief Minister for the decision.

Vishnu Dev Sai said the state government is committed to ensuring better returns for farmers' hard work and making agriculture a profitable occupation. He also highlighted that agriculture is the backbone of Chhattisgarh's economy and that farmers' prosperity is essential for the state's overall development.

Increasing farmers income, reducing cultivation costs, and improving the profitability of farming remain key priorities for the state government.

Free Oil Palm Saplings and Subsidies for Farmers

In addition to supporting sugarcane producers, the government is working to expand oil palm cultivation under the National Edible Oil Mission-Oil Palm. The scheme aims to increase domestic edible oil production while creating additional income opportunities for farmers.

Under the programme, farmers can receive free oil palm saplings and subsidies for various agricultural facilities, subject to applicable rules and eligibility conditions.

Krishnakant Dubey, Assistant Commissioner (Oil Palm), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India, reviewed the scheme's progress during a state-level review meeting. Officials from the Horticulture Department, representatives of processing companies, and farmers also attended the meeting.

The following facilities are covered under the scheme for eligible farmers:

• Drip irrigation systems: To support efficient water use and irrigation.

• Borewells and pumpsets: To improve access to irrigation facilities.

• Water conservation structures: To help store and conserve water for agricultural use.

• Vermicompost pits: To support organic manure production and soil health.

• Wire mesh for plant protection: To protect oil palm plants from potential damage.

Officials were instructed to spread awareness about these benefits among farmers and complete the subsidy distribution process on time.

Instructions for Timely Procurement and Payment of Oil Palm Produce

Horticulture and Field Forestry Director Lokesh Kumar said the objective of the oil palm scheme goes beyond increasing the number of plantations. The focus is also on ensuring healthy plant growth, improving production, and delivering long-term economic benefits to farmers.

He stressed that processing companies must ensure the timely procurement of oil palm fresh fruit bunches (FFB) and make payments to farmers without unnecessary delays.

During the review meeting, farmers raised concerns about oil palm plants damaged by adverse weather conditions and the shortage of water sources for irrigation. In response, the concerned processing companies were instructed to provide high-quality replacement plants for those damaged by unfavourable weather and other natural causes.

The meeting also addressed delays in releasing subsidies due to pending verification of borewells and irrigation structures. Officials were asked to improve coordination between the departments concerned so that verification-related delays do not prevent farmers from receiving eligible benefits.

In addition, oil palm farmers were instructed to register their details on the Krishi Mapper portal to improve the implementation and monitoring of the scheme.

Chhattisgarh Plans to Double Oil Palm Cultivation Expansion Target

The central government plans to expand the area under oil palm cultivation in the coming years, with the target for area expansion set to double next year, according to Assistant Commissioner Krishnakant Dubey.

To achieve this objective, districts have been asked to prepare action plans and encourage farmers to take up oil palm cultivation. The expansion is expected to help increase oil palm production and strengthen farmers income opportunities.

Processing companies have also been instructed to establish their own nurseries to ensure a regular supply of high-quality planting material. This measure is intended to improve sapling availability and support the expansion of plantations.

The combination of a higher sugarcane procurement rate, free oil palm saplings, irrigation subsidies, and improved procurement and payment arrangements reflects the government's efforts to support farmers across different agricultural activities in Chhattisgarh.

Also Read: Maharashtra Drought Relief: Farmers May Get Financial Aid Before Diwali

CMV360 Says

Chhattisgarh's decision to increase the sugarcane procurement rate to ₹425 per quintal, including for the 2025-26 crushing season, offers financial relief to sugarcane farmers. At the same time, free oil palm saplings and subsidies for irrigation and other facilities aim to encourage crop diversification. Instructions for timely procurement, prompt payments, replacement of damaged plants, and faster subsidy distribution are expected to improve implementation. Plans to double oil palm area expansion next year could further strengthen farmers income opportunities.