Raipur (thestates.news) Chhattisgarh, like the northeastern states of India, is now moving towards becoming an organic state. The state government has taken strong steps in this direction. The state government is going to launch ‘Godhan Nyay Yojana’ from Hareli festival on July 21, in a bid to facilitate rapid strengthening of rural economy.Through ‘Suraji Gaon Yojana’ and ‘Godhan Nyay Yojana’, efforts are being made to develop such an automated system in the villages, which will be in accordance with the village traditions of Chhattisgarh and all the villagers will participate in it. Farmers will also be able to grow second crop easily and arrangements for fodder and good care of animals belonging to even weaker farmers will also be made. ‘Garuas’ (cattle) will no longer be the ‘garu’ (burden) for farmers and cattle keepers. Godhan Nyay Yojana will help in giving a boost to dairy business and organic farming, while the village environment will also improve simultaneously.Chief Minister Mr. Bhupesh Baghel, who hails from an agricultural family, has envisaged the ‘Suraji Gaon Yojana’ focused on the ground reality of farming and rural economy in Chhattisgarh.The scheme is being implemented rapidly under his efficient guidance. Rural economy of the state is getting strengthened through steps such as paddy purchase from framers, debt waiver and innovative schemes like Rajiv Gandhi Kisan Nyay Yojana and Godhan Nyay Yojana, under the direction of the Chief Minister.
The situation of socio-economic fabric of Chhattisgarh is such that there are large number of small and medium farmers in the state, due to which there are many complications in agricultural management. Suraji Gaon Yojana has been started for strengthening the rural economy and solving these complex problems such as loss of crop from open grazing of livestock, rising cost of animal husbandry, lack of fodder, non-availability of shepherds, increased use of chemical fertilizers and adverse effects on the fertility of the land. Under this scheme arrangement of Gothan has been made for cattle management. These Gothans are being developed as centers of economic activity. There are about 20 to 22 lakh farmers in the state. Most of these farmers are small and marginal and the number of big farmers is very less. In such a situation, the State Government has to work towards multiple directions in order to make farming profitable.
The focus of the State Government is to make agriculture a profitable deal for small farmers. This ambitious scheme is being implemented in a phased manner with the participation of small and big farmers, women and youth to develop Naruva, Garuva, Ghuaruva and Bari under Suraji village scheme. In a move to make farming lucrative, the state government purchased about 83 lakh metric tonnes of paddy from the farmers at the support price and has given great relief by implementing Rajiv Gandhi Kisan Nyay Yojana to keep them connected to farming during the Corona crisis. Under this scheme, an incentive amount of Rs 5750 crore is being distributed to 19 lakh farmers.The first installment of this scheme amounting to Rs 1500 crores has been given to the farmers and the second installment will be given on the occasion of the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister late Shri Rajiv Gandhi on 20 August.
There are about 1.25 crore livestock in the state. Most of the livestock are owned by small farmers or herders. Due to weak economic condition, cattle rearers are unable to make arrangements for fodder and they leave their animals in the open.This makes it difficult for even the farmers having means of irrigation, to grow second crop.To overcome this problem, the old tradition of the state- ‘Roka Cheka’ has been revived again. Decision to ban cattle grazing in the open was taken by the Gothan Committees in the village as soon as the sowing of paddy started.
The ‘Godhan Nyay Yojana’ is also associated with the Roka-Cheka program. It will prove to be very effective in enhancing the income of farmers as well as in preventing crop damage caused by open grazing animals. In Gothans, dung will be collected and purchased from the houses of small cattle-keepers. With this, organic manure and cow-dung gas will be produced in the Gothans. The sale of these increases the chances of the economic model of Gothan being successful. Gothans are being developed as livelihood centers.
The Godhan Nyay Yojana will be implemented in 2200 Gothans in the first phase, after which it will also be implemented in 2800 under construction Gothanas after their completion. Chief Minister Shri Bhupesh Baghel has said that the Godhan Nyay Yojana will prove to be a revolutionary scheme for strengthening the rural economy, which will have far-reaching consequences. This scheme will promote organic farming in the state, will also improve the quality of farming land. Cattlemen will benefit. Opportunities for employment and additional income will increase in villages. There will be a decrease in road accidents caused by stray animals. The environment will also improve.
According to an estimate, with the implementation of the Godhan Nyay Yojana in 5 thousand Gothans of the state, about four and a half lakh people will get employment in cow dung collection and manure making. Dung will be purchased at a fixed rate, arrangements will be made for the sale of vermi compost from cooperative societies.The entire chain of dung collection, vermi compost making and marketing of compost will be developed.There will be active participation of the youth of the village along with women of self-help groups in conducting this whole process.
A five-member ministerial sub-committee has been formed under the chairmanship of the Agriculture Minister to fix the rate of cow dung procurement. A committee of secretaries has been constituted under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary to decide the process of dung collection, vermi compost making & marketing and financial management of this system.The benefits of the Godhan Nyay Yojana will also be extended to such labourer families who do not have farming land, but have two to three animals. The scheme will also include the shepherds of the village. Small cattle herders will also earn income of 2 to 3 thousand rupees per month by the sale of cow dung.
Special Article : ‘Godhan Nyay Yojana’ : Chhattisgarh moving towards Organic Farming
