Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel has said that like paddy, loans will be provided easily from cooperative banks for the production of other crops. For this, the loan scale will also be changed so that more and more farmers can earn more income by cultivating pulses and oilseeds and cash crops. He said that the Rajiv Gandhi Kisan Nyay Yojana, Godhan Nyay Yojana are getting encouraging results in the state. The state has recorded an increase of 17 per cent in pulses production as the second crop and 13 per cent in oilseeds. Mr. Baghel was addressing the closing ceremony of the three-day state level Krishi Samridhi Mela in Bilaspur today. On this occasion, the Chief Minister distributed checks of input material and grant amount to the farmers under various schemes of the Agriculture Department. Agriculture Minister Shri Ravindra Choubey presided over the function. Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Mr. Jaisingh Agrawal was present as the special guest. Chief Minister Mr. Bhupesh Baghel said with the pleasure of the chief guest that agriculture is the mainstay of our livelihood. Agricultural production has increased in the state due to new experiments. Even then, we still have a lot to do ahead. He said that there is a lot of potential in the field of horticulture and forestry. There is good irrigation facility in Bilaspur division and farmers are hard working. With the cooperation of the state government, the area of horticulture will definitely increase here. The Chief Minister said that we are promoting crop diversity. 10 thousand per acre incentive is being given for planting other crops or trees instead of paddy. He said that it is the only state government in the country to buy Kodo-Kutki and Ragi crops. Kodo-Kutki 3 thousand and Ragi 3 thousand 377 per quintal, the government buys it. Mr. Baghel said that today we buy 65 types of minor forest produce at support price. Three years ago, only 7 types of minor forest produce were procured. We have given the status of farming to lac and fisheries as the main means of self-employment. They too are now getting loans from banks without interest. We have brought the number of cooperatives so close to the farmers that they do not have to wait or long queues to sell paddy. The Chief Minister said that there is a huge gap between the need and production of milk in Chhattisgarh at present. Production is currently happening at 85,000 liters per day while the requirement is 2.5 lakh liters per day. Godhan Nyay Yojana is helping in bridging this gap. Very soon we will be self dependent in terms of milk production. The Chief Minister said that agricultural production is increasing with the use of new technologies. But due to lack of market, the farmers are not getting their real benefits. It will be beneficial only when we set up processing centers for their value addition. Different types of processing centers will be set up in different areas of the state according to the varieties of crops. Its action plan has been prepared by the state government. This will also provide employment opportunities to entrepreneurs and youth. Presiding over the program, Agriculture Minister Shri Ravindra Choubey said that in three days more than 30 thousand people have learned the advanced techniques of farming by visiting the fair. They will use these new technologies on their farms and earn more profit. He said that the path of progress of Chhattisgarh goes through agriculture. That is why the government is making the farmers financially strong by bringing all the schemes. He also explained the rationale for organizing state level Kisan Mela in Bilaspur. He said that this year we have bought paddy from farmer brothers at a price higher than our promise. It may increase further next year. He said that our Gauthan has been prepared to face the fertilizer crisis. About 16 lakh quintals of vermi compost manure is ready. Many states of the country have shown interest in implementing the Gothan scheme of Chhattisgarh. Revenue and Disaster Management Minister and Minister in-charge of Bilaspur district, Mr. Jaisingh Agrawal said that we have taken care of helping not only the farmers but also the agricultural labourers. About 6.5 lakh agricultural laborers are getting assistance of 6 thousand in a year. From this year it has been increased to Rs.7 thousand. Secretary Agriculture Department Dr. S. Bharathidasan delivered the welcome address. On this occasion Parliamentary Secretary Ms. Shakuntala Sahu, MLA Mr. Shailesh Pandey, MLA Mr. Rajneesh Singh, Chairman of Farmers Welfare Council Mr. Surendra Sharma, Chairman of Seed Corporation Mr. Agni Chandrakar, Chairman of Gau Seva Commission Dr. Ram Sundar Das, Shakambhari Board’s Chairman Mr. President Shri Ramkumar Patel, President of Tourism Board Shri Atal Shrivastava, Mayor Shri Ramsharan Yadav, District Panchayat President Shri Arun Singh Chouhan, District President Shri Vijay Kesharwani and Vijay Pandey, Commissioner Dr. Sanjay Alang, IG Shri Ratanlal Dangi, Collector Dr. Summary Mitter, Superintendent of Police Smt. Parul Mathur, farmers, public representatives and dignitaries from all over the state were present in large numbers. Like this:Like Loading… Continue Reading