Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Monday approved a one-year extension of the Mission Organic Value Chain Development for the North Eastern Region (MOVCD-NER) in Assam. The decision was announced following his meeting with Assam Agriculture Minister Atul Bora. In a separate meeting held at Krishi Bhawan in Delhi, Chouhan also discussed key agricultural issues with Rajasthan Agriculture Minister Dr. Kirori Lal Meena.
MOVCD-NER scheme aims to promote organic farming in the northeastern region by providing financial assistance of Rs 46,500 per hectare over three years. Out of this amount, Rs 32,500 is allocated for on-farm and off-farm organic inputs, while 15,000 is directly transferred to farmers' bank accounts. Farmers can avail of this benefit for up to two hectares of land.
During the discussion with Minister Bora, Chouhan expressed concern over the flood situation in Assam and assured that he would soon visit the affected areas. He affirmed that the central government would extend full support to both flood-hit and drought-affected districts in the state. “We will stand shoulder to shoulder with the farmers of the state in any natural calamity,” he said.
In response to Assam’s request for region-specific crop varieties, Chouhan directed the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) to expedite the notification process for crops suitable to the state's agro-climatic conditions. These include rajma, masoor (lentil), arhar (pigeon pea), sunflower, fodder maize, garlic, and onion. To make crop insurance under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) more accessible, he also relaxed the mandatory requirement of the Digital Farmer Registry.
The meeting was attended by Union Agriculture Secretary Devesh Chaturvedi along with senior officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and Assam’s agriculture department.
In a separate meeting with Rajasthan’s Agriculture Minister Dr. Kirori Lal Meena, Chouhan reviewed the state’s steps to combat the rising issue of counterfeit seeds, fertilisers, and pesticides. Describing it as a “serious issue,” he said the Centre has already begun the process of strengthening laws to curb such malpractices.
He also shared that letters have been sent to all state Chief Ministers, urging them to take strict measures. Chouhan firmly stated that any fraud against farmers will be met with strong action and zero tolerance.
