Workshops should be organized in every development block of the state to encourage crop diversification: CM Bhupesh Baghel

Raipur:
Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel has given instructions to organize block-level
workshops for farmers, to encourage crop diversification. Chief Minister said
that farming of more profitable crops should be encouraged as per the quality
of the land in different districts. Besides, the field officers and employees
of the Agriculture Department have been directed to contact the farmers and
encourage them to take more profitable crops. Chief Minister gave these
instructions while reviewing the major schemes of state government in a meeting
held at his residence office today.

In
the review meeting held today, Chief Minister said that Government of India has
decided to procure only Arva rice from Chhattisgarh. Therefore, the supply of parboiled
rice should be reduced and production of Arva varieties should be encouraged.
For this, farmers should be made aware of the demand and a meeting of hybrid
paddy seed sellers should also be organized. He directed the officials
concerned to expedite the work of setting up ethanol plant to commence the
production of ethanol from sugarcane and maize. He also directed to launch a
drive for issuing ration cards to the eligible beneficiaries in the state.

Baghel
said that teacher eligibility test and Vyapam examinations should be conducted
with 50 percent seating capacity, while strictly adhering to the COVID-19
protocol.

“We
need to be cautious not afraid of the third wave of COVID-19”, said Chief
Minister. He clarified that there are no restrictions on economic activities in
the state due to COVID-19. He urged the people to follow the COVID protocol. In
the meeting, Baghel also directed to take action against overloading vehicles.
It was informed in the meeting that the malnutrition rate in the state has
declined by 6.4 per cent to 31.3 per cent, as a result of Mukhyamantri Suposhan
Abhiyan. It is noteworthy that the rate of malnutrition in the state was 37.7
per cent in year 2015-16. It was also informed in the meeting that people have
saved nearly Rs. 5 crore because of Shri Dhanwantri Generic Medical Store
scheme.

Regarding
crop diversification, Chief Minister said that farmers should be encouraged to
take Kodo, Kutki, Arhar, Mustard crops in Bastar, horticulture crops in Jashpur
and other crops in the plains. Sugarcane production should be encouraged in Bemetara
district, whereas farmers of Balrampur, Bastar, Janjgir, Mahasamund and
Dhamtari districts should be encouraged to produce maize. He said that
establishment of ethanol plants should be expedited to commence the production
of ethanol from sugarcane and maize soon. This would help the maize and
sugarcane producing farmers to get a fair price for their produce. He also
asked the officials to ensure that the farmers get good price for the crops
they take. Baghel has given instructions to commence the procurement of
Kodo at support price in Gandai area of Bemetara and Rajnandgaon. Baghel also
directed to encourage the cultivation of tea and coffee in the state,
considering the climatic and geographical conditions.

During
the review of Rajiv Gandhi Kisaan Nyay Yojana, it was informed that farmers had
registered for cultivation of aromatic paddy, sugarcane, tuar, fortified paddy,
maize, kodo, urad, lentils, banana and soyabean in place of paddy. So far,
Kawardha district has performed the best under the scheme. During the review of
Chief Minister Plantation Promotion Scheme, it was informed that this year,
Forest Department would distribute 1.25 crore saplings free of cost to the
farmers under this scheme. Under this scheme, more than 5 lakh 30 thousand
saplings have been planted on 2254 acres in 987 locations. He said that under
this scheme, state government would provide input subsidy at the rate of Rs 10,000
per acre to the farmers, who do plantation for three years. More and more
farmers should be encouraged to avail the benefit of this scheme.

During
the review of Women and Child Development Department, Chief Minister said that
it should be made mandatory to provide hot-cooked food to pregnant women,
anemic women and lactating women and children in all the districts. It was
informed in the meeting that as a result of Chief Minister’s Nutrition Scheme,
the rate of malnutrition in the state has declined by 6.4 percent to 31.3
percent. In 2015-16, the rate of malnutrition was 37.7 percent. Under
Mukhyamantri Haat Bazar Clinic Scheme, more than 14 lakh 86 thousand people
have been provided free treatment in various Haat Bazars. A web portal has been
created to monitor this scheme. During the review of Shri Dhanwantri Generic
Medical Scheme, it was informed that under this scheme 105 shops have been
opened in various urban bodies. Since the launch of this scheme, the citizens
have saved about Rs 5 crore so far.