Jaipur, May 8 (IANS) Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma addressed an Investors’ Meet organised in Hyderabad on Friday as part of the upcoming Global Rajasthan Agritech Meet 2026 (GRAM-2026).​

Extending a warm invitation to investors, Agri-Tech startups and industry leaders with the traditional greeting “Padharo Mharo Desh”, he said GRAM-2026 would serve as a major platform for investment opportunities and partnerships in Rajasthan’s growth journey.​

“Rajasthan is actively working towards becoming a global hub for agro-based industries and food processing,” Sharma said.​

He added that Rajasthan has moved far beyond traditional farming practices and is rapidly emerging as a land of immense opportunities in Agri-Tech, food processing and value-added agricultural industries.​

Owing to the state’s diverse agricultural output, Rajasthan offers significant investment potential in sectors such as food processing, cold chains, spice parks, seed production and agro-based industries.​

“The state government is fully prepared to work shoulder-to-shoulder with investors,” he said.​

Highlighting Hyderabad’s success in innovation and agriculture technology, Sharma remarked that the city’s “Lab-to-Land” ecosystem, encompassing Agri-Tech startups, drone technology, precision farming and food processing, serves as an inspiration for Rajasthan.​

He said the state intends to adopt and expand such models on a larger scale.​

The Chief Minister also praised the contributions of Rajasthan-origin entrepreneurs settled in Hyderabad, stating that the Marwari community has earned nationwide recognition for its enterprise, social commitment, and cultural roots.​

Referring to GRAM-2026, scheduled to be held in Jaipur from May 23 to 25, Sharma said the event would bring together farmers, academicians, agribusiness leaders, policymakers and technology experts on a common platform to deliberate on the future of agriculture and food processing through innovation-driven approaches.​

Emphasising that water and energy are fundamental to farmers’ prosperity, he said the government has prepared a comprehensive roadmap for irrigation, drinking water supply and power management.​

Initiatives such as the Ramjal Setu Link Project, Yamuna Water Agreement, modernisation of the Indira Gandhi Canal and Ganganahar, and the expansion of the Dewas Project are being implemented to strengthen water infrastructure.​

The Chief Minister further said Rajasthan aims to become self-reliant in the energy sector.​

Daytime electricity supply has already been implemented in 24 districts, and the government remains committed to providing uninterrupted power to farmers and industries by 2027.​

He added that more than 65,000 solar pump systems have been installed under various schemes, with subsidies exceeding Rs 1,000 crore already disbursed to farmers.​

Sharma also highlighted welfare initiatives for farmers, including the Rs 9,000 annual assistance provided under the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme, funded by combined support from the Central and state governments.​

Farmers are also benefiting from Minimum Support Price procurement, crop insurance schemes, livestock insurance programmes and the Gopalak Card Scheme.​

Speaking on investment growth, the Chief Minister said the state has already witnessed investments worth Rs 9,391 crore materialise in the agriculture sector following the Rising Rajasthan Global Investment Summit.​

Through GRAM-2026, Rajasthan now aims to further accelerate investment, innovation and technology adoption in the agriculture sector.​

During the event, Memorandums of Understanding worth over Rs 200 crore were signed for projects related to food parks, seed production, and the food processing industry.​

–IANS

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