Raipur: Chhattisgarh’s festival of paddy purchase on support price is going to commence from December 1. 21 lakh 29 thousand 764 farmers have registered to sell paddy in the state this year, the area under which paddy is sown is more than 27 lakh 59 thousand 385 hectares. Due to the farmer-friendly policies of Chief Minister Mr. Bhupesh Baghel, both the area under farming and number of farmers have increased during two years. In two years, the area under paddy has increased from 19.36 lakh hectare to 22.68 lakh hectare and the number of farmers has increased from 12 lakh 6 thousand to 18 lakh 38 thousand. In this way, there is an increase of 3 lakh 32 thousand hectares in area and 6.32 lakh in the number of farmers. This year, the number of farmers registering for selling paddy has crossed 21.29 lakh and the area of paddy registration has crossed 27.59 lakh hectare.
In the year 2017-18, 56.85 lakh metric tonnes of paddy was purchased in the state of Chhattisgarh at the support price. During two years, this figure of paddy procurement has reached 83.94 lakh metric tonnes. Considering the number of farmers registered to sell paddy this year and the area under paddy, the support price is estimated to be higher than last year. Regarding this, all possible arrangements are being ensured by the state government. Despite the lack of gunny bags for the procurement of paddy, the government is engaged in its management. All arrangements are being made for the convenience of the farmers at the paddy procurement centers.
Chhattisgarh government had purchased 80.38 lakh metric tonnes of paddy from 15.71 lakh farmers in the year 2018-19. In the year 2019-20, a record 83.94 lakh metric tonnes of paddy was purchased from 18.38 lakh farmers. The percentage of farmers selling paddy has also increased compared to registered farmers in the state in two years. In 2017-18, 76.47 percent farmers sold paddy. With the Chief Minister, Mr. Bhupesh Baghel taking over the reins of the state, this figure has increased to 92.61 percent in the year 2018-19. In the last marketing year 2019-20, 94.02 percent farmers in the state sold paddy at the support price.
Decisions taken in the interest of farmers in Chhattisgarh have started a new phase of farming and happiness of farmers. The Chief Minister, Mr. Bhupesh Baghel, fulfilled his promise to farmers by waiving agricultural loan of about 9 thousand crores of 17 lakh 82 thousand farmers of the state as soon as he took over the reins of power. The compensation amount for the acquisition of agricultural land has been increased to four times from double, along with the waiving of irrigation tax of Rs 244.18 crore which over 17 lakh farmers of the state owed for years. More than 5 lakh farmers of the state are being given relief of about Rs 900 crore annually by providing electricity at free and subsidized rate.
The Government of Chhattisgarh launched the Rajiv Gandhi Kisan Nyay Yojana from 21 May 2020 to provide the farmers their right and fair price for their produce. Under this scheme 19 lakh farmers of the state are being given in four installments an amount of Rs 5750 crores. So far, direct assistance of Rs 4500 crore has been given to the farmers in three installments. To encourage cow rearing, village employment and organic farming in the state, Godhan Nyaya Yojana was launched in the state of Chhattisgarh from the day of Hareli festival on 20 July 2020. Under this scheme, cow dung is being purchased for 2 rupees per kg from villagers, farmers and cow rearers in village Gothans. So far, 26 lakh 76 thousand quintal cow dung has been purchased from the villagers, farmers and cow rearers and an amount of Rs 53.53 crore has been paid to them. To protect and promote the four signs of Chhattisgarh, Narva, Garwa, Ghurwa and Bari, the Suraji Gram scheme is being implemented in the state. Under this scheme, construction of 6 thousand 430 Gouthans in the state and income-generating activities are being promoted through women’s groups.