In a bid to safeguard Chhattisgarh’s rice procurement interests, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel has penned a compelling letter to Union Minister Piyush Goyal. Baghel’s letter addresses recent developments in food distribution policies and their potential impact on the state’s paddy production.
The crux of the issue revolves around a decision made during a meeting of Food Secretaries on August 21, 2023, followed by an official communication on August 28, 2023. According to these communications, the estimated paddy procurement in the state has been drastically reduced. The initial projection of 130 lakh tonnes of resultant rice has been slashed to a mere 61 lakh metric tonnes. Furthermore, the supply quantity of new jute gunny bags, essential for rice procurement, has been scaled down from 3.56 lakh bales to 2.45 lakh bales through the Sixth Supply Plan of Jute Packaging, dated September 6, 2023.
Chief Minister Baghel highlights the discussions that transpired during the Food Secretaries’ meeting on August 21, 2023. Representing the Chhattisgarh government, Baghel lobbied for an increase in the limit of paddy purchase by the state government for the Kharif marketing year 2023-24. The proposed limit is set at 20 quintals per acre, a significant bump from the 15 quintals per acre cap in place since the Kharif marketing year 2014-15.
Baghel’s appeal for the retention of the 86 lakh metric tonnes rice procurement target in the central pool stems from the state’s impressive strides in paddy production. Over the years, Chhattisgarh has witnessed an expansion in paddy cultivation areas, coupled with improved agricultural practices, such as the use of high-quality seeds and enhanced fertilizer management. These efforts, particularly in the plains of Central Chhattisgarh, have fulfilled the demands voiced by farmer groups.
The State Agriculture Department’s first advance estimate indicates a substantial paddy production of 136.5 lakh tonnes in the state’s 36 lakh-hectare paddy-sown areas. While a few regions have faced water scarcity, the monsoon conditions have generally favored paddy cultivation. Additional provisions have been made for irrigation through canals in water-deficient areas.
The Chief Minister’s proactive stance aims to secure Chhattisgarh’s position as a significant contributor to the country’s rice procurement while ensuring that the state’s farmers receive the recognition and support they deserve.
