Embrace organic farming while considering the health of ‘Dharti Mata’: Mr. Bhupesh Baghel
Chief Minister attended the Akti Tihar and Maati Poojan program held in Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya
Raipur, 22 April .Chief Minister Mr. Bhupesh Baghel attended the Akti Tihar and Maati Poojan program held in the Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalay premises today. On this occasion, the Chief Minister worshipped the village soil, deities, and Thakur Dev. He sowed the seeds of bottle gourd, beans, and ridged gourd as per the tradition of sowing seeds. While praying to the Dharti Mata for good harvest, the Chief Minister worshipped paddy seeds and fed fodder to Gau Mata. Chief Minister Mr. Bhupesh Baghel prayed to the Dharti Mata for the wealth and prosperity of the state’s residents. On the occasion of Akti Tihar, the Chief Minister plowed the fields by a tractor.
On this occasion, Chief Minister Mr. Bhupesh Baghel inaugurated the Farmer Auditorium building, newly-constructed cluster classroom, and camp office of Mahatma Gandhi Horticulture and Forestry University in the premises of the Agriculture University. While addressing the farmers, Chief Minister Mr. Bhupesh Baghel said that we should be as much concerned about Dharti Mata as we are about our own health. We should prefer organic farming while decreasing the use of chemical fertilizers. The nature is providing us with all facilities. Akti and Maati Poojan is a festival for expressing our gratitude to the earth. We should contemplate over what we are giving back to the earth in return of what we are obtaining from the nature. On the occasion of Akti festival, we pray to the Dharti Mata before farming and only after receiving her permission we use the spade. We ask for forgiveness from Dharti Mata for the harm done. During the program, the Chief Minister announced the establishment of separate directorate for agricultural engineering.
The Chief Minister, while extending his greetings of Akti Tihar and Lord Parshuram Jayanti, said that Lord Parshuram had made the ‘Akshaypatra’. It is believed that Lord Parshuram conducted many researches in the field of agriculture. Apart from battles, his axe is also useful in farming and agriculture. He said that Chhattisgarh is an agriculture-dominated state and 70-80 percent of the people are dependent on agriculture for their livelihood here. Because of the dependence of the state’s economy on agriculture, the state government has launched many schemes for farmers and is committed to working for their prosperity. This has led to the increase in agricultural production in the past four years. The Chief Minister said that the farmers will be able to sell paddy at 20 quintals per acre, and it will benefit the farmers significantly. Because of the farmer welfare policies of the Government, the paddy production in the state has risen to 107 lakh metric tonnes. The Chhattisgarh Government has fixed the support prices of Kodo and Kutki and has also arranged its purchase. Kodo, Kutki, and Ragi are being cultivated extensively in Chhattisgarh, especially in tribal regions. Chhattisgarh will emerge as a major hub in the field of horticulture and forestry. People from all across the world will visit our state for studies. Chief Minister administered the pledge of protecting Dharti Mata, using organic manure, and providing clean drinking water and air to the future generations.
Launched Indira Seed brand
Chief Minister Mr. Bhupesh Baghel launched the Indira Seed brand developed by the Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya. He said that he is completely sure that the Indira Seed brand lauched by the university will be beneficial for farmers. On this occasion, the Chief Minister also released a coffee-table book based on agricultural research. The Chief Minister said that when we began the purchase of cow dung, then people made fun of us, but today, around 3 lakh people are selling cow dung and Rs. 230 crores have been transferred to their bank accounts.
The government has taken effective steps in encouraging and promoting millets. Millets Cafe has been established in Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, and soon, as per the agreement between Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya and AIIMS, a Millets Cafe will also be established in AIIMS where patients will be given nutritious meals prepared from millets. The Chairman of Seed Corporation Mr. Agni Chandrakar, Chairman of the Shakambhari Board Mr. Ramkumar Patel, Advisor to the Chief Minister Mr. Pradeep Sharma, Senior General Manager of NAFED Mr. Unnikrishnan Kurup, and the Director of Horticulture Department Mr. Matheshwaran D. were present on the occasion.
Agriculture Minister Mr. Ravindra Chaubey said that today we worship the earth. It is considered auspicious to sow seeds in the land today. We have been doing this for years in villages. The Agriculture Minister said that we have revived our original traditions. Because of the farmer welfare policies of our government, the number of farmers in the state has increased. As a result, we have purchased 170 metric tonnes of paddy, which is a phenomenal record in the country. The Vice Chancellor Mr. Girish Chandel and the Commissioner of Agriculture Production Dr. Kamalpreet Singh also addressed the program.
The digital portal of the Agriculture University was launched during the program and agriculture-based literature was also released. Seeds and planting material were also distributed to farmers. The Chief Minister and Agriculture Minister were presented with jackets prepared from flaxseed made by women’s groups of Bemetara.
