In a remarkable development, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel of Chhattisgarh has taken a bold step to protect the state’s rice production. Baghel recently penned a letter to Union Minister Piyush Goyal, highlighting a critical issue that threatens the state’s agriculture.
The Department of Food and Public Distribution, Government of India, made a decision on August 21, 2023, during a meeting of Food Secretaries, indicating that the estimated paddy procurement in Chhattisgarh would result in 130 lakh tonnes of rice. However, this number was later reduced to 61 lakh tonnes from the initial 86.5 lakh metric tonnes.
The Chief Minister emphasized the need to maintain the target of 86 lakh metric tonnes for rice procurement in the central pool, citing increased paddy cultivation and productivity due to improved seeds and better fertilizer management by farmers. These improvements have been particularly evident in the plains of Central Chhattisgarh.
Based on the State Agriculture Department’s first advance estimate, paddy production in the state is expected to reach 136.5 lakh tonnes across 36 lakh hectares. Despite some localized water shortages, the monsoon has generally favored the paddy crop, and irrigation arrangements have been made through canals.
With these factors in mind, Baghel urges the central government to reconsider its decision and safeguard Chhattisgarh’s rice production, which plays a vital role in food distribution across the nation. The future of the state’s agriculture and its farmers hangs in the balance, and immediate action is required to ensure their welfare.
