Team News Riveting
Raipur, August 22
Chhattisgarh has achieved 95 per cent of the sowing target set for the current kharif season in the state.
As of now, 95 percent of the sowing target for the ongoing Kharif season has been achieved, a state government spokesperson said. The state government has set a target to sow 48.63 lakh hectares with various crops this season. Out of which 46.35 lakh hectares have already been sown.
On instructions of Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, certified fertilizers and seeds are being distributed to the farmers in Chhattisgarh as per their requirement. Officials of the Agriculture Department are closely monitoring the process. Till date, nearly 12 lakh metric tons of fertilizers have been distributed to the farmers, which is 88 percent of the target. Similarly, 8.83 lakh quintals of certified seeds have been distributed, covering 90 percent of the target.
Officials of the Agriculture Department have reported that with the onset of monsoon, there has been a continuous increase in the sown area with the. The state is witnessing favorable monsoon conditions, resulting in sowing activities over 46.35 lakh hectares, which constitutes 95 percent of the targeted area. The state government has set a goal of sowing 48.63 lakh hectares of various crops during this Kharif season.
The distribution of various chemical fertilizers to farmers continues for the ongoing Kharif season. As of 21 August 2024, nearly 12 lakh metric tons of fertilizers, constituting 88 percent of the target, have been distributed. The fertilizers distributed include 5,81,342 metric tons of urea, 2,62,207 metric tons of DAP, 1,51,259 metric tons of NPK, 50,431 metric tons of potash, and 1,52,664 metric tons of superphosphate.
The state has set a target of distributing 13.68 lakh metric tons of fertilizers through cooperative and private sector channels during the current Kharif season. Against this target, 15.24 lakh metric tons have been stocked, out of which around 12 lakh metric tons have been distributed to farmers. The fertilizers are being made available through societies and private vendors, ensuring that farmers face no inconvenience in the process. Senior officials are strictly monitoring the distribution process.
Certified seeds for various Kharif crops are being made available to the farmers through government cooperative societies and private channels. So far, 8.83 lakh quintals of certified seeds have been distributed, meeting 90 percent of the state’s seed demand.
It is noteworthy that the total demand for certified seeds for Kharif crops in the state is 9.78 lakh quintals. Against this demand, 9.31 lakh quintals have been stocked. Out of which, 8.83 lakh quintals have already been distributed, covering 90 percent of the demand.
According to information compiled by the State-Level Control Room of the Revenue and Disaster Management Department, an average rainfall of 820.3 mm has been recorded in the state from 1 June 2024 to date. The highest rainfall of 1740.2 mm was recorded in Bijapur district, while the lowest, 456.5 mm, was recorded in Surguja district. The state’s annual average rainfall is 1236 mm.
Following the instructions of the Chief Minister, short-term agricultural loans are being extensively distributed to farmers across the state. Till date, short-term agricultural loans worth nearly Rs 6,281 crore has been distributed to farmers through 2,058 cooperative societies under state cooperative banks. This year, the state government has set a target of distributing Rs 7,300 crore in loans. The loans are being provided to farmers according to their demands, based on the area under cultivation. As of this date last year, Rs 6,193 crore in short-term agricultural loans had been distributed.
It is noteworthy that the state government launched the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) scheme to meet the initial needs of farmers and facilitate agricultural activities. One of the main objectives of this scheme is to protect farmers from falling into the clutches of moneylenders. At present, lakhs of farmers in the state are benefiting from this scheme, which not only provides relief for initial and farming needs but also contributes to a continuous increase in crop production.
