Says “Vermi-Compost is one of the best alternatives to DAP manure”
Chief Minister transfers Rs 2.92 crore to the accounts of beneficiaries under Godhan Nyay Yojana
Godhan Nyay Yojana: Rs 114 crore paid to beneficiaries so far
State govt to promote Fox Nut (Makhana) cultivation in Rabi season, technical assistance for the same to be provided to farmers
Raipur, 05 December 2021/ Chief Minister Mr. Bhupesh Baghel on Sunday virtually released an amount of Rs 2 crore 92 lakh to cattle rearers, Gauthan committees and women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) associated with state-run Gauthans under the state’s flagship Godhan Nyay Yojana in a program organized at his residence office here.
As a part of this, Rs 2 crore 44 lakh has been paid to cattle rearers, farmers and landless people in the lieu of cow dung purchased from them from November 15 to November 30. Besides, Rs 48 lakh has been paid as dividend to Gauthan committees and women SHGs associated with Gauthans. So far, Rs 114 crore has been paid to the beneficiaries for procuring cow dung under this scheme.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister also released an amount of Rs 50 lakh for effective implementation of the Godhan Nyay Mission on the occasion.
“Vermi-compost being manufactured in the Gauthans across the state is one of the best alternatives to DAP fertilizer. Its use must be promoted among the farmers to boost soil health and land fertility. Today when the whole country is dealing with shortage of chemical fertilizers, farmers can get high-quality yield without depleting soil fertility using this vermi-compost”, said Chief Minister Mr. Baghel while addressing the programme.
Chief Minister also appealed farmers and livestock owners not to leave their animals in the open. They should be kept either in their houses or in the state-run Gauthan of their respective villagers. This would protect their crops from getting damaged. He has also asked not to burn paddy straw; instead use it to feed their animals. Stressing on the need of making green fodder arrangements for cattles, Mr. Baghel has appealed to make arrangements for planting fodder in the pastures of Gauthans.
Mr. Baghel also announced in the programme that state government has decided to promote Fox Nut (Makhana) cultivation in Rabi season in the view of its increasing demand in the market. The state is gearing up to make arrangements to provide information and training in this regard to the farmers. In addition, every possible incentive will be given to them from the availability of fox nut seeds to its sale.
Mr. Baghel added saying that farmers should opt for pulses and oilseed crops in Rabi season. He has given instructions to the officials concerned to make arrangements in Gauthans for oil extraction in areas where farmers are growing oilseed crops besides making arrangements for grading and packaging of pulses in areas where farmers are planting pulse crops. This would provide regular employment and source of income to the women self-help groups working in Gauthans, he said.
The Chief Minister also directed the officers to fix the selling price of vermi compost being prepared in Gauthans along with the transportation cost adding that the difference between the amount received from the sale of vermi compost and cost price would be given as dividend to the Gauthan Samitis and women SHGs.
The Chief Minister said that about 14 lakh quintals of vermi compost was manufactured in Gauthans, out of which 9 lakh quintals of vermi compost was sold. Major proportion of the same has been used by our farmers. He informed that 55.77 lakh quintals of cow dung have been purchased till 15 November 2021 under Godhan Nyay Yojana, which started from Hareli on 20 July 2020.
“There is a festive atmosphere in the paddy procurement centers across the state with the commencement of paddy procurement process on support price. A large number of farmers are selling their paddy at these centers. Senior officials including Chief Secretary are constantly visiting the paddy procurement centers to ensure proper arrangements for the procurement process” said Chief Minister.
He directed the officials concerned to ensure that farmers should not face any problem during the procurement of paddy. He said that this year about one crore 5 lakh metric tonnes of paddy is expected to be procured amidst the hurdles being imposed by the Center in the procurement of paddy. The state government has increased the price to be given to farmers for their gunny bags from Rs 18 to Rs 25.
“The steps taken by Chhattisgarh government during the time of corona pandemic are yielding positive results and are being discussed in the whole country today. Godhan Nyay Yojana is an excellent example of this. He said that 10, 569 Gauthans have been approved in the state, out of which 7777 Gauthans have been completed and have started functioning. Out of these 7777 Gauthans, 2029 Gauthans have become self-supporting. We are making our best efforts to make all Gauthans of the state, self-supporting”, he said.
Agriculture Minister Mr. Ravindra Choubey said on this occasion that about 2 lakh rural and cattle rearing farmers are getting benefited from Godhan Nyay Yojana, out of which 88 thousand 127 are landless. So far, an amount of Rs 114 crore has been paid to the beneficiaries under the scheme in lieu of purchase of cow dung. Vermi compost worth Rs 81 crore has been sold so far. Monetary benefit of Rs 19 to 20 crore has been received by the Gauthan committees. Besides, 67,000 women of 9321 women self-help groups engaged in various activities in Gauthans have generated an income of about Rs 48 crore 20 lakh. These overwhelming results of the scheme show that it is providing new source of income and employment to rural women and livestock farmers.
Referring to the discussion with the Union Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers, Mansukh Mandaviya, Chief Minister Mr. Baghel said he took keen interest and took detailed information regarding Godhan Nyay scheme of Chhattisgarh government and manufacturing of vermi-compost in Gauthans besides suggesting other states of the country to adopt this scheme.
Agriculture Production Commissioner Dr. Kamal Preet Singh informed about the progress of Godhan Nyay Yojana and Special Secretary Agriculture Department Dr. S. Bharathidasan gave a presentation on Godhan Nyay Mission.
Agriculture Minister Mr. Ravindra Choubey, Rajya Sabha MP Mrs. Chhaya Verma, Chairman of State Mineral Development Corporation Mr. Girish Devangan, Advisor to Chief Minister Mr. Pradeep Sharma, Additional Chief Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. Subrat Sahoo and Public Relations Commissioner Mr. Dipanshu Kabra along with other senior officials were present on the occasion.
