Chief Minister Raman Singh on Monday mooted the idea of having Government agricultural farms developed under the public-private partnership (PPP) mode.
He was reviewing the activities of Agriculture Department at the Mantralaya.
Singh said that there had been 30 per cent hike in production of food grains and 69 per cent increase in oil seeds output during the last 11 years in the State. Pulse production in the State had increased by 10 per cent, he said.
The Chief Minister expressed happiness over the increase in fish production which, he said, is higher than the national average. The fish production was 2,975 kg per hectare in 2013-14, while the national average is 2,650 kg per hectare.
Singh said to increase the availability of farmland, progressive farmers should be included in the scheme.
He emphasised the need to hasten soil testing and soil health cards be distributed as early as possible. Soil health cards should be given on the basis of this premise.
The Chief Minister ordered for the appointment of a Nodal Officer to co-ordinate the Central and State Government schemes for the maximum benefit of the farmers.
The farmers should be taken to various districts in the State itself to update them of the latest technology and crop pattern, he said.
Singh also accorded approval for the construction of buildings for agricultural colleges at seven places mainly–Kanker, Bemetara, Koriya, Raigarh, Rajnandgaon, Jagdalpur (Horticulture) and Raipur (Agri-engineering) during 2013-14.
Singh said that a time-bound plan be prepared for encouraging the farmers to shift to organic farming.
He laid special emphasis on boosting Horticulture activities. The Chief Minister said Sprinkler Drip Irrigation System on the pattern of Gujarat should be introduced in Chhattisgarh soon.
He said the breed of milk producing animals should be improved. The breed of goats should also be improved, Singh stated.
The Chief Minister also provided sanction to the new Fisheries policy of the State Government. The ‘Catch Culture Policy’ will be encouraged for increasing the production of fish, he said.
Agriculture Minister Brijmohan Agrawal said the laboratories in engineering, polytechnic colleges, and agriculture colleges should be upgraded for soil health cards.
He said that to encourage Animal Husbandry, Pisciculture and Horticulture, subsidies should be given on electricity charges.
Agrawal said that Cold Channel be installed for milk at Pankajhur in Bastar district. The officers attending the meeting gave a detailed presentation of increase in 30 per cent in food grains production, 69 per cent increase in oil seeds production and 10 per cent increase in pulses production. There is a marked increase in the production of food grains during the past decade.
The irrigated land has increased from 20 to 31 per cent area. There are separate plans for pulses and oil seeds production.
The officials further informed that organic farming will be encouraged, quality of seeds will be improved, soil testing, seeds distribution and special plans afoot for Rabi crops in the coming five years.
The population of goats, sheep and poultry birds had increased due to the inoculation done to control PPR disease. Senior officers of various departments were present at the function.