This year, paddy will be cultivated in total 36.42 lakh hectare areas in Chhattisgarh, which is over 40,000 hectare less in comparison to last year. To increase areas of pulses and oilseed, its farming area will be increased by 24,000 hectare. However, farming activities have picked up with the arrival of Monsoon rains.
Chhattisgarh has the highest paddy crops, along with cultivation of pulses and oilseeds.
last year, the agriculture department had targeted paddy cultivation in 36.88 lakh hectares. This year it has been reduced to 36.42 lakh hectares, to increase the area of pulses and oilseeds. The farmers are also encouraged to increase pulses and oilseed cultivation, along with paddy.
It has been said that last year pulses crops were cultivated in 3.56 lakh hectares. This year the area has been increased to 3.67 lakh hectare. Similarly, oilseed crop areas have been increased from 3.22 lakh hectare to 3.33-lakh hectare.
According to officers in the agriculture department, farmers in the state cultivate Arhar, Moong, Til etc, along with paddy. They were being encouraged to cultivate more pulses and oilseeds.
On the other, with the arrival of monsoon, farmers reached their fields and started preparations for farming. Farmers said that though they keep paddy seeds with them, they were getting fertilizers and seeds from societies also. Several new verities of paddy are available, with which they expect high production.
Deputy Director Agriculture RK Chandrawanshi said that the state has good paddy production. The year also, though the area has been reduced, good production is expected. In place of paddy, pulses and oilseeds will be cultivated. Farmers were providing high quality paddy seeds through societies. Sufficient quantity of fertilizers has been stored. Farming activities would be speed up on getting some good rains. At present, the farmers were preparing for cultivation, he added.