Says state may cease to be known as rice bowl of India due to rapid industrialisation at the cost of agricultural lands
Expressing his concern over rising industrialisation and reducing crop area in the state, the Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Processing Dr Charandas Mahant says that the government should first give priority to the farmers while giving land and water and then to the industrialists. “Bulk MoUs between the state government and the industrialists for establishment of power plants in Janjgir-Champa district major are not good sign for farmers as large tracts of their agricultural lands have been acquired for the purpose,” said Mahant while he was talking to the media persons after convening a review meeting of the state’s Agriculture Department at New Circuit House on Monday.
“The common people have first right on flowing water. In fact, the government should first reserve water for the people for drinking purpose. Then come farmers who should get water for irrigation. The animals too have right on water before industries. But, the state government has reversed the order has given prime importance to the industrialists,” Mahant said.
He said the fast reducing crop area was also a bad omen for agriculture sector in the state. “It is surprising that in spite of reduced crop area, production increased in state. He said he would ask for technical inspection of state government’s claims besides mapping the lands and soil.
When asked his take over alleged sale of Rogda dam in Janjgir-Champa district by the state government, Mahant said, “I cannot comment much on this subject as it is already being probed by the legislators’ committee formed by the state Assembly. Still, I am concerned that the dams meant for irrigation purpose are being sold to industrial sector.”
He informed that the six barrages being constructed over Mahanadi had not yet been approved by the Union Environmental Ministry. “Rather, the construction is being done ignoring rules and conditions,” he said.
He also said that the state may cease to be known as rice bowl of India due to rapid industrialisation at the cost of agricultural lands.
He said he convened review meeting of the state’s Agriculture Department to get acquainted with the department’s ongoing works being carried out to benefit farmers.
Expressing satisfaction over rains in state, Mahant said, “Except few districts, the state has received good rains by far. I have advised Agriculture Minister Chandrashekhar Sahu to facilitate farmers so that they could take double crops annually. This will not only increase crop production but would also make the farmers financially sound.”
Mahant said he not given any significant instruction to the state government, however he had pointed towards lacking in the Agriculture Department. “I said the state government that it can take my additional benefit in improving the agriculture sector as I belong to Chhattisgarh,” he said.
‘I got right ministry’
Mahant said he got the most appropriate ministry at Centre. “Every department is full of opportunities for a person who wants to progress. I am a Chhattisgarhiya. I hail from a small village. I am a farmer’s son and understand the problems of the farmers very well. Hence, I feel that my party head’s decision to induct me in this ministry is right,” he said.
He said his past experience as Minister of State for Agriculture Department during Arjun Singh’s tenure in undivided Madhya Pradesh would be an added advantage for him to move ahead.
He said his Food Processing Department too was significant for its basic role is to increase agriculture production value. “In India, foodgrains worth about Rs 50000 crores damage for different reasons every year. The department’s job is to develop a strong and vibrant food processing sector to create increased job opportunities in rural areas and enable the farmers to reap benefit from modern technology,” he said.
Dreams about agri sector in state
Mahant says that he wants to see Chhattisgarh developing as major crop producing state in the country. “I would also suggest the state government to develop agriculture as lucrative sector so that the next generation could show making career in it,” he said.
He feels that that at least one child of the each farmer family must adopt agriculture as his profession. “I will also try to inspire youth living in villages to establish agriculture-related industry in their respective areas for better growth of the sector,” he said.
Future plans for Chhattisgarh
Mahant informed that his department would establish biospace centre in Chhattisgarh. “This will help the farmers to get all agriculture-related information,” he said.
He also feels that fisheries and animal husbandry departments in the state too have potential and his department would surely take initiative for growth of the two fields. He further informed that the Centre was also planning to accord central university status to the Indira Gandhi Agriculture University (IGAU).
On plan to establish a food park in the state, he said, “I asked the state government to send proposal to the Centre in this connection at the earliest.”
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