Prosperity of farmers is our resolve: Innovation and technology will empower the farmers of Chhattisgarh – Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai

Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai virtually inaugurated the Agri-Horti Expo and Buyer-Seller Conference-Photo Credit-CG-PR

Raipur: Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Saturday June 28, 2025 virtually inaugurated the Agri-Horti Expo and Buyer-Seller Conference under the Krishi Kranti Abhiyan from the Chief Minister’s Camp Office at Bagiya in Jashpur district. Many major agricultural companies of the country like Jio Mart Retail, Dehat, Honest Farm, Atmakur, Dharagri, Avni Ayurveda etc. will be present in this two-day event in the District Panchayat premises. Through these companies, the farmers of the district will be able to enter into crop sale contracts to get a fair price for their produce through FPO. With the end of the middleman system, the farmers will get the right price for their hard work.

On the occasion, the Chief Minister said that the Chhattisgarh government is determined for the prosperity of the farmers. By adopting the latest technology, the farmers of Chhattisgarh will be economically more empowered. He said that today is going to be a milestone in the history of agricultural development of Jashpur. The ‘Krishi Kranti’ campaign is being started with the innovative efforts of the district administration.

Ours an agricultural based country and about 80 percent of the people in Chhattisgarh are associated with agriculture and related work. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Central Government is running many important schemes including Crop Insurance Scheme, PM Kisan Samman Nidhi to increase the income of farmers. Whether it is the purchase of 21 quintals of paddy per acre at the rate of Rs 3100 per quintal on the support price, collection of forest produce at the support price or schemes related to processing and export, our government is making multi-level efforts to increase the income of farmers, CM added.

Chief Minister Sai said that jackfruit, mango, litchi, pear are produced in abundance in Jashpur. Apple cultivation has also started here. Through this conference, direct communication will be established between farmers and buyer companies. This is a platform where farmers’ produce will get direct market through FPO (Farmer Producer Organisation), which will eliminate the role of middlemen and farmers will get fair price for their produce.

Chief Minister Sai, while explaining the importance of Soil Health Card, said that it gives information about which crop will be produced more on which land and how much amount of fertilizer will be required. For this, agricultural scientists from the Center are going to the whole state and making people aware about soil health.

Along with agriculture, animal husbandry, fish farming and dairy development are also being encouraged in the state. Jashpur is also included in the six districts selected under the pilot project of Dairy Development Scheme.

MP Radheshyam Rathia, who joined virtually from Raigarh, said that the natural environment of Jashpur district is very attractive. Emphasising the importance of water conservation and promotion, he said that conservation of water is essential, which will benefit the farmers and increase their income. MLA Raimuni Bhagat, who joined virtually from the District Panchayat, said that Jashpur district is rapidly adopting innovation. Through this conference, there will be a direct contract between farmers and companies, which will definitely benefit them.

In his address, District Panchayat Chairman Salik Sai said that if farming and management is done in a systematic manner in the district, then farmers will definitely get benefits. Jashpur is a leader in the production of mango, chilli and pear. He emphasised on encouraging the cultivation of pulses and oilseeds along with paddy.

Collector Rohit Vyas gave detailed information about the importance of Agri-Horti Expo and Buyer-Seller Conference and the benefits to the farmers from it. District Panchayat CEO Abhishek Kumar, who was virtually connected to the District Panchayat, gave information about the innovations and various programs to be held under the conference through a video presentation.

On the occasion, IG . Deepak Kumar Jha, Superintendent of Police Shashi Mohan Singh, Municipal Council President Arvind Bhagat, District Panchayat President Ganga Ram Bhagat and officers and employees were present.

Information on advanced technologies will be available in Agri-Horti Expo and Buyer-Seller Conference

With the aim of providing information about advanced technologies to farmers through the conference, representatives of institutions like NABARD and APEDA will be present and will give information to the farmers on topics like agriculture marketing, certification of organic products etc. Senior scientists of the state will give information on GI tag of crop varieties, scientific method of farming of agricultural and horticultural crops and silk experts will give information on silk rearing.

Besides a discussion will be organised between the company and the farmers on contract farming, in which contracts will also be signed between the company and the farmers.

A crop exhibition has also been organised in the program, in which farmers and progressive farmers associated with the FPO of the district will display their crops like organic paddy, kutki, ragi, pear, litchi, ramtil, tau, chilli, aromatic paddy etc. on the basis of variety-wise quality. Mango and pear and innovation competition have also been organised under the program.

The winning farmers will be encouraged for innovation and advanced farming in the coming years by by paying a prize money.