Pic: After inaugurating the Farmers Training and Common Facility Centre in Jawalgera village in Raichur, on Thursday, Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman (L) listens to details regarding the facilityRaichur: Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman assured farmers of all assistance to improve their income from agriculture. She was speaking after inaugurating the Farmers Training and Common Facility Centre at Jawalgera village in Raichur district on Thursday.Sitharaman said Raichur aspires to grow despite challenges, with the central govt continuing to push development initiatives in regions across Kalyana Karnataka. “Similarly, we will have a total of 7 agricultural processing units across the seven districts of Kalyana Karnataka. They are being established using Rs 3.5 crore from MPLADS funds to help market and procure products from farmers,” she added.She mentioned that the products, once processed, could reach anywhere in the state from Raichur to Bengaluru, contributing to Karnataka’s overall growth. Highlighting the need to focus on the region, the finance minister said that Raichur, despite the hard work of its people, faces difficulties in achieving development on par with others.Emphasising the Union govt’s effort in uplifting such districts that have the potential to grow but have not been able to move ahead due to various challenges, she stated that instead of calling them ‘backward districts,’ we now refer to them as aspirational districts. “Today, I can see that Raichur is turning challenges into opportunities one by one. This success is a result of targeted interventions, strict monitoring, and time-bound implementation — whether it is roads, water supply, or electricity in villages,” the minister said.“Raichur is already performing well in paddy and rice cultivation, but it still has gaps. That’s why, instead of focusing only on paddy, cultivating pulses can be more beneficial here,” she suggested. She stated that the Union govt identified 112 such aspirational districts across the country, including Raichur and Yadgir in Kalyana Karnataka, to help them move forward under the Aspirational Districts Programme.Sitharaman said Raichur stood first among the 112 aspirational districts in the 2023 ranking, while Maski block in the district secured the top position among southern states in the Aspirational Blocks Programme by NITI Aayog. According to her, scientists who analysed and studied 50 years of data stated that every fourth year there was drought in Raichur, forcing farmers to face losses despite good harvests in earlier years.“That is why we must rethink cropping patterns and plan comprehensively. Even when the crop is good, we must ensure farmers get fair prices,” she said. Union financial services department secretary M Nagaraj, NABARD chairperson Shyaji KV, DC Nitish K, CEO Eshwar Kandoo, SP Puttamadaiah M, former minister Venkatarao Nadagouda, former MP K Virupakshappa, Javalagera GP president Nagalinga Yamanurappa and others were present on the occasion.