RGKNY motivating farmers to take crops other than paddy: CM

Bhilai, Aug 10:
The state government has taken concrete initiatives to strengthen the market (mandi) system so that farmers can get a fair price for their products. The available infrastructure can be put to great use through innovations in the mandis. The market of Durg is very big and there is a great scope to do better work, said Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel while addressing the swearing in ceremony of Ashwini Sahu, the newly appointed Chairman of Durg District Mandi Board. Chief Minister joined the programme virtually and said that Congress state government is focused on promoting agriculture. “We want to create such a market system for the farmers where the risk is minimal and they get the maximum bargaining power. Crops other than paddy are also being encouraged through Rajiv Gandhi Kisan Nyay Yojana (RGKNY). It is the responsibility of the mandis to make arrangements for their marketing of these crops and create a more encouraging atmosphere for the farmers.
It needs to be mentioned here that Ashwini Sahu has been recently nominated as the Chairman of Durg District Krishi Upaj Mandi. Hailing from a farmer family, he has served as Sarpanch of village Patora thrice. Chief Minister said that Ashwini Sahu has a deep understanding of agriculture. Baghel hoped that with his hard work and long experience, Sahu will make better arrangements in the mandi. He added that the government has to implement several innovations through the mandis. With good leadership, these tasks can be accomplished in a better way.
Chief Minister said that 4000 platforms have been constructed across the state which will save lakhs of tonnes of paddy from getting spoiled.
Now the work of shed construction has to be done by the Mandi Board. Addressing the programme, Agriculture Minister Ravindra Choubey said that the mandi of Durg is a historical place. Veteran leaders like Late Vasudev Chandrakar have worked here. This is a holy place for farmers. He hoped that Ashwini Sahu will promote the development of the mandi through his better working. Home Minister Tamradhwaj Sahu said that the responsibility of running the Mandi Board is a big task. Mandis are the means of providing better facilities and fair prices to the farmers. Sahu hoped that Ashwini will live up to the faith of all.
Durg District’s Guardian Minister Mohammad Akbar said that he has seen the arrangement of the mandis very closely. There is a lot of scope for doing better work for the farmers at the mandis. MLA Arun Vora in his address congratulated Ashwini Sahu and conveyed his best wishes. Durg Mayor Dheeraj Bakliwal, District Panchayat President Shalini Yadav, former MLA Pratima Chandrakar, Antyavasayi Corporation Vice President Neeta Lodhi, District Congress Committee President Tulsi Sahu, Nirmal Kosre, Chief Minister’s OSD Ashish Verma, Chaitanya Baghel and other public representatives were present. Collector Dr Sarveshwar Narendra Bhure, Additional Collector BB Panchbhai and other officers were also present.
In his address, the new chairman of District Mandi Board said that he is 55 years old. Mandi of Durg was established in 1967 which coincides his year of birth.
He assured to promote innovations in the mandi under the guidance of the state government. There is a lot of scope of working in the interest of the farmers. Mandi can also play a big role, especially for furthering the innovations of government, he said.