A strong network of agricultural education, research and expansion is ready in Chhattisgarh: Bhupesh Baghel

Chief Minister inaugurated 4 new horticulture colleges in Saja, Arjunda, Dhamtari, Jashpur, along with Lormi Agricultural College and Food Technology College in Raipur

Raipur, January 20, 2021

Chief Minister Mr. Bhupesh Baghel inaugurated 4 new horticulture colleges in Saja (Bemetra district), Arjunda (Balod district), Dhamtari, Jashpur, and Lormi agricultural colleges (Mungeli district) and the new Krishi Vigyan Kendra in Kondagaon today, in a program organized at his residence office.
Chief Minister Mr. Bhupesh Baghel said in his address to the programme that at the time of state formation, Chhattisgarh had only one agricuture education institute i.e. Indira Gandhi Agriculture University. Today the state has 46 colleges of agriculture and horticulture education, 8 research centers, 27 agriculture science centers operating under this University. A strong network of agricultural education, research and dissemination has been developed from Balrampur in the north of Chhattisgarh to Sukma in the south. Agriculture and allied activities are being promoted by the state government for the economic development of rural areas.
In the same sequence, opening of agricultural colleges and agricultural science centers has been included under the government’s schemes. This will benefit the farmers in farming with advanced technology and developing agriculture related economic activities, which would raise the standard of living of our farmers and villagers. Their economic-social status will be further strengthened.
In this program organized through video conferencing on the 35th Foundation Day of Indira Gandhi Agricultural University, Chief Minister Mr. Baghel inaugurated and laid foundation for infrastructure development works worth Rs 115 crore in the state’s agricultural colleges, agricultural science centers and new agricultural colleges. Chief Minister inaugurated works worth Rs 46 crore 67 lakh and laid foundation for works worth Rs 63 crore 10 lakh. These works include construction of agricultural college buildings, boys’ hostels, research centers, hitech nurseries, seed processing buildings, hatcheries, administrative buildings in agricultural science centers and farmer’s hostels. Mr. Baghel also released Digital Krishi Panchang and Krishi Darshika -2021 prepared by Indira Gandhi Agricultural University on the occasion.

Agriculture and Water Resources Minister Mr. Ravindra Choubey, Food Minister Mr. Amarjeet Bhagat, Industries Minister Mr. Kawasi Lakhma, Women and Child Development Minister Mrs. Anila Bhendia, MLA Mr. Amitesh Shukla, Mr. Devwrat Singh, Advisor to Chief Minister Mr. Pradeep Sharma, Chhattisgarh Chairman of Mineral Development Corporation Mr. Girish Dewangan, Commissioner of Agricultural Production Dr. M. Geeta, Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. Siddharth Komal Singh Pardeshi, Vice Chancellor of Indira Gandhi Agricultural University, Dr. S. K. Patil and Total Secretary Mr. Prabhakar Singh were present on the occasion. Scientists, teachers and students of various agricultural colleges and agricultural science centers, along with 12 ministers and MLAs from 21 assembly constituencies also participated in this state-wide program.
Chief Minister said in his address to the programme that 14 buildings for agricultural colleges, hostels and agricultural science centers have also been inaugurated. Construction of all these buildings has been completed at the cost of nearly Rs 47 crores. We have sanctioned funds for the agricultural colleges, which did not have college buildings and hostels. Foundation-laying ceremony for construction of these colleges, hostels, buildings of Krishi Vigyan Kendras and agricultural hostels at the cost of nearly Rs 63 crore was performed today.
Chief Minister said that the manifesto promised to promote horticulture and forestry. To give a concrete shape to this vision, a University of Horticulture and Forestry has been established and named after Mahatma Gandhi. Positions for this university have also been approved. In the last 02 years, we have taken initiative to start 02 new Krishi Vigyan Kendras in Sukma and Kondagaon, which have also received approval from the Government of India. Today, Krishi Vigyan Kendra has been launched in Kondagaon. We are looking forward to establish new agricultural science centers in Gaurela-Pendra-Marwahi and Saja, and proposal for the same has already been sent to the Centre. Chief Minister said that earlier there was no center in Chhattisgarh to estimate the agricultural input cost incurred by farmers of Chhattisgarh. This year, a center has been established in the university to study the input cost of agriculture incurred by the farmers in Chhattisgarh. Approval for 25 posts in this center has also been received. He said that food processing is the priority area for the Government. In addition to the establishment of the College of Food Technology this year, food processing incubation centers are also being developed for this college and the Krishi Vigyan Kendra Jagdalpur, at the cost of Rs five and a half crores.
Mr. Baghel said that Chhattisgarh Government is paying special attention towards expansion of agricultural education. In the last 02 years, we have established 08 colleges. This year we are going to open 08 new colleges and we have also increased the admission capacity. There has been an increase of about 20 percent in the number of seats in these colleges, in last 02 years, and by next year, the number of seats would be further increased by 10 percent . The Chief Minister said that more than 7 thousand Gauthans are being constructed in the state under Suraji Gaon Yojana. More than 4 thousand Gauthans are being actively operated. 325 Gothans have been adopted by agricultural colleges and Krishi Vigyan Kendras, wherein scientists are being given training in vermi compost making, mushroom production, quail farming, kadaknath poultry farming, vegetable-floriculture.
Agriculture Minister Mr. Ravindra Choubey also addressed the programme. Vice Chancellor of Indira Gandhi Agricultural University, Dr. S.K. Patil gave a welcome address and gave information about the activities of the university. In the program, the Agriculture Minister presented a map of “rice-rich Chhattisgarh” showing the aromatic species of paddy district-wise as a memento.