Chief Minister Launches New Agricultural Revolution Initiative in Jashpur

Raipur, 14 September

Under the Kisan Kranti (Agricultural Revolution) campaign for the benefit of farmers in the district, Chief Minister Shri Vishnudev Sai today launched a QR code–based initiative with G-Com India to simplify market access and the Agribid Call Center system. The launch was from his residence “Bagia,” and aims to make marketing easier for farmers. Former Union Minister Shri Arjun Munda, Vice-Chairperson of the Surguja Region Tribal Development Authority Smt. Gomti Sai, Jashpur MLA Smt. Raymuni Bhagat, District Panchayat President Shri Salik Sai, and other dignitaries were present.

At the event, CM Sai said that the district has a favorable environment not only for traditional agriculture but also for horticultural crops. Currently there is plentiful production of mango, lychee, pear, plus crops like tea, tau, jackfruit. Due to lack of market options, farmers often had to sell their crops to middlemen at very low prices. Now, with direct reach to buyers through QR codes, farmers in the district will be able to sell their crop to people anywhere in the country. This will help them avoid unnecessary intermediaries and traders, and obtain fair prices for their produce. The call center will provide expert assistance to farmers with any issues. These two measures are expected to bring revolutionary change in agriculture and raise farmers’ incomes by ensuring fair price realization.

He also said that in cooperation with NEDDB, in six districts of the state, under a pilot project, high-quality milch animals are being distributed and villagers are being trained in animal husbandry to promote dairy production.

Smt. Gomti Sai (Vice-Chairperson of Sarguja Region Tribal Development Authority) said the call center for farmers will be a milestone for agriculture development in the district and will yield long-term benefits. Jashpur MLA Smt. Raymuni Bhagat said that in the district, besides pears and lychee, jackfruit is also abundantly grown. For processing and development of these crops, a jackfruit fair was recently held in Jashpur. With these new initiatives, farmers will not only increase production but also be able to sell products at fair prices and even export them.

Chief Minister Flags Off Educational Tour for Farmers

As part of the Agriculture Revolution and ATMA initiatives to encourage innovative agricultural practices, a group of 35 farmers was flagged off by CM Shri Sai for an educational tour to Raipur and Durg. This included 15 farmers from Kunkuri and 20 from Kansabel. These farmers will gain knowledge about scientific farming methods and food processing, to then adapt them in their own district. During the visit, BNR Seed Raipur and Indus Mega Food Park Raipur will also provide them with information/training.

Support via Kisan Call Center: Dial 08069378107

Through this call center, farmers in the district will be able to get solutions from experts for questions or problems related to farming. An MoU was signed today between the district administration and Agribid in the presence of CM Sai. The call center will provide information on various schemes and encourage people to take advantage of the benefits. Farmers will also be able to communicate their problems promptly to officials so small issues can be resolved directly. A team of 12 experts – including university professors, scientists from agricultural sciences centers, and other agricultural specialists – will work, connecting with farmers via calls, messages, and WhatsApp. Farmers will only need to contact 08069378107.

Farmers’ Produce to Find Buyers Nationwide

With G-Com India’s QR code system, buyers from across the country can directly contact farmers in the district to trade. This campaign, run by the district administration, means farmers won’t need to depend only on local mandis (markets), but can connect with all markets in the country. Buyers anywhere will be able to see what produce a farmer has via the app, reach out and do business. If a single farmer doesn’t have enough quantity, he or she can combine with other local farmers to meet buyer demand, ensuring collective benefit. Through this campaign, along with rice, oilseeds, pulses, and cash crops will get fair prices directly, from home. Farmers simply need to provide accurate details of crop quantity and information they have.