CM Baghel urges farmers to use vermi-compost for high-quality yield

Raipur, Dec 05: Chief Minister 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.
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.
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.
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.
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