The Chhattisgarh Government has evolved a new strategy for promoting mass cultivation of horticulture based crops in the State.
A modern plug type vegetable seedling production unit in Bilaspur district to encourage use of advanced technology in farming methods was inaugurated by State Agriculture Minister Brijmohan Agrawal recently.
With application of modern techniques, the production unit will be preparing around one crore saplings of vegetables, fruits and variety of flowers on yearly basis.
The establishment of this unit seedling production unit in Sarkanda is expected to be emerging as a boon for farmers of adjoining districts including Mungeli, Janjgir-Champa, Korba and Bemetara.
As per official information, farmers under Bilaspur division practice vegetable farming on 137287 hectare of land resulting in production of about 1596389 metric ton vegetable on yearly basis.
The establishment of modern seedling production unit will be resulting in remarkable decline in price of seeds. Around 40-50 percent fall in price of seeds will be noticed here in the region. With dedication of the seedling production unit, 20 percent hike in production of vegetables is expected.
Closely observing the working and infrastructure of seedling unit, the Agriculture Minister gave specific instruction to officials regarding extensive promoting and publicity of the unit so that farmers in the region could avail benefits of the unit and strengthen their economic status by earning maximum profit.
This apart, the second State Government Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Degree College has been opened at Koni in Bilaspur district.
This is the second Government Veterinary College in Chhattisgarh.
Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Minister Brijmohan Agrawal on Thursday inaugurated the College at Koni Sarkanda.
He said that agriculture and other allied activities like poultry, animals' rearing, pisciculture and dairy farming are becoming more lucrative. Diploma courses will be started in animal husbandry subject soon to make it more profitable to the masses. Skills' development courses will be imparted to the youth.
Agrawal added more employment opportunities will be provided in agriculture and animal husbandry sectors by introducing more technical courses. Veterinary colleges will be started in all the divisions of the State.
The new academic courses will be started at the Koni College soon. The inaugural function was presided over by the former Speaker of Chhattisgarh Assembly Dharamlal Kaushik.
Agrawal said that irrigation facilities will be increased in Bilaspur region. Arpa Irrigation project will bring an additional one lakh hectare land under cultivation. The Irrigation Department officials have been instructed to conduct a survey to link Ahiran river flowing near Katgora to Kundhaghat water source.
About 70 million cubic meters of water will be available to the water resources which will irrigate an additional 40,000 hectares of land. The water will be available for drinking purposes in Bilaspur and Ratanpur cities. The Department officials will hold a survey on how Bagon project can supply water for irrigation purposes in Korba district.