RAIPUR: Now, agriculture is a profitable business in Chhattisgarh. The state government, under the leadership of chief minister Dr Raman Singh, with the goal of “Khushhal Kisan-Khushhal Chhattisgarh”, has laid a firm foundation of all round agriculture development for making agriculture a profitable business.

The government has launched several profitable schemes for bringing down the cost of farming. As these schemes have been taken to the field level, the condition of both the agriculture and the farmers has been improved.

Chhattisgarh had received National Krishi Karman Award in the year 2010 and 2012 for highest rice production. With these awards, it has been proved that Chhattisgarh is the “Rice Bowl” in real sense. The state government, by fulfilling all the promises made in its manifesto 2013, has won the hearts of farmers. The promises of Rs 300 per quintal paddy bonus on support price and interest free loan to farmers have been fulfilled in 7 months.

Giving importance to agriculture development, the state government, for the first time in 2013-14, had presented separate Agriculture Budget. Earlier, farmers were getting agriculture loan at 14 per cent interest. Looking to the problems of farmers, the state government, by decreasing the interest rate on agriculture loan, had brought it to 3 per cent. Now the farmers are getting interest free loan.

Last year, about Rs 1,339 crore loan had been distributed to farmers. This year, a target has been set to distribute Rs 2,400 crore agriculture loan. By waving off old loans of small and marginal farmers, relief has been given to thousands of farmers. In view of erratic monsoon, with the objective of helping farmers, the state government has launched climate based crop insurance scheme.

For uninterrupted supply of electricity, the state government, by taking effective decision, has given many facilities to the farmers. Chhattisgarh is the first state in the country that gives 24 hour electricity for agriculture. A historic work has been done by providing power supply to agriculture pumps of three lakh farmers.

The government, through its pro-farmer policy, has relieved farmers from metre rent, fix charge and power sub tax. A great gift in the form of free electricity up to 7,500 units for agriculture pumps up to five horse power has been given to the farmers.

Free fertilisers and seeds have been given to the tribal families which have received forest rights certificates in the state. Arrangement for free distribution of seeds and fertilisers to the farmers has been made. Bio farming mission has been started in Kanker, Korea, Raigarh, Raipur and Dantewada districts. Krishi Seva Kendra has been established in all block headquarters, where farmers get agriculture implements on rent.

Soil health card distribution scheme has been launched. All the 37 lakh farmers of the state will get the soil health card in the next five years. The Kisan Samruddhi Yojana of the state government has proved a blessing for the farmers.

Besides, Ramtil Utpadan Protsahan Yojana, Rajya Ganna Vikas Yojana, Dalhan Beej Protsahan Yojana, Bhu-jal Samvardhan Yojana, Laghutam Sinchai Yojana, Shakambhari Yojana, Sushma Sinchai Yojana, Khalihan Agni Durghatna Rahat Yojana, Balram Krishi Yantrikikaran Protsahan Yojana, additional grant scheme for Paddy Transplanter etc have been launched for the benefit of farmers.

Looking to the vast possibility of horticulture crops, assistance has been given to farmers for cultivation of fruits, vegetables and spice crops.