Baghel for C’garh as pilot state for organic farming

Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Thursday raised the demand to earmark Chhattisgarh as a ‘Pilot State’ for organic farming. He also raised subsidies for vermi-compost production and market development assistance.

He was holding discussions on different topics related to the state with a team of NITI Aayog (on visit to Raipur) led by V.K. Paul, senior advisor, and Secretaries of 10 Union Ministries through video conference here, an official communication said.

Highlighting the Godhan Nyay Yojana, cow dung procurement scheme and production of large quantities of vermi-compost, Baghel said the state was in the forefront of increasing its use as an alternative to chemical fertilizers.

He said Chhattisgarh can be taken as a pilot state to promote use of organic manure. Subsidy should be given for vermi-compost on two aspects: ‘Nutrient Based Susbsidy’ and ‘Market Development Assistance’.

NITI Aayog members appreciated the efforts of the state in the agriculture and allied sectors. The state has made remarkable progress in fish seed production, which other states can follow.

The teacher-student ratio in the schools here is among the best in the country. The state is ranked sixth in ‘Ease of Doing Business’ and fourth in the Export Preparedness Index.