A discussion was organized on the topic ‘Towards Developed Bastar’ under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Vishnudev Sai

To take Bastar forward in the direction of development, emphasis will have to be given on agriculture – Chief Minister Sai

Bastar has immense possibilities for maize cultivation – Chief Minister Sai

Additional provision has been made in the budget for fisheries, goat rearing and pig rearing – Chief Minister Sai

Chief Minister Vishnudev Sai expressed the resolve to develop Bastar

Chief Minister Sai directed collectors and officials to increase productivity in the agricultural sector and promote the agricultural sector

Raipur 15 April 2025: An important discussion was organized on the topic “Towards Developed Bastar” in Jagdalpur today under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Vishnudev Sai. On this occasion, a detailed roadmap for the overall development of the Bastar region was presented by the Department of Agriculture Development and Farmers Welfare. Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma, Forest Minister Kedar Kashyap, MP Mahesh Kashyap, MLA Kiran Singh Dev, Vinayak Goyal, Principal Secretary Subodh Kumar Singh, Secretary to the Chief Minister Rahul Bhagat, Secretaries of the concerned departments, Collectors of all the districts of Bastar Division, farmers of Bastar Division, local dignitaries associated with agriculture industry were present in the discussion held in Jagdalpur. On this occasion, representatives of farmers, traders, agriculture related institutions expressed their views.

Chief Minister Vishnudev Sai said that Bastar has to be included in the mainstream of development. To take Bastar forward in the direction of development, we have to focus more on agriculture, especially on the marginal farmers here. Sai said that agriculture is the best option for Bastar, local tribes are associated with it and if people work according to their interest, they will also be successful in it. We have also made additional provision in the budget for the development of agriculture. Chief Minister Sai, while giving special emphasis, said that we will have to increase the cultivation of maize. This is a crop that is prepared at low cost and gives more profit. The climate of Bastar is very favorable for maize. Along with this, there is a lot of scope for millets production here, we have to work specially on its cultivation. Chief Minister Sai said in his address that Bastar is not just a geographical area, it is a confluence of culture, tradition, struggle and possibilities. He said that there are immense possibilities of development in the Bastar region, which can be realized with strong policy, transparent administration and public participation. The Chief Minister said that the priority of the state government is to make Bastar self-reliant and prosperous in every respect.

Chief Minister Vishnudev Sai said that Naxalism has been like a stigma for our state, with the cooperation of the central government, a decisive battle is being fought to end it. He said that Union Home Minister Amit Shah ji has resolved to eradicate Naxalism from the country by March 31, 2026 and Chhattisgarh is playing a leading role in achieving this goal. Chief Minister Sai also said that Naxalism is not only a security challenge, but it is the result of lack of development. Therefore, it is necessary that we connect every village and every person of Bastar with the mainstream of development and provide them adequate opportunities. Presenting the roadmap for the development of agriculture sector in the discussion, Agriculture Production Commissioner Mrs. Shahla Nigar said that to strengthen the agriculture based economy of Bastar, special emphasis is being laid on crop diversification, organic farming, expansion of irrigation facilities, agricultural mechanization, access to crop loan and value addition of agricultural products. There are currently 2.98 lakh active farmer families in Bastar division, out of which 2.75 lakh have got the benefit of Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana. Rs 64.77 crore has been paid as the 19th installment of the scheme. The remaining eligible families are also being verified and linked to the scheme. He informed that 7 Krishi Vigyan Kendras, 4 Agriculture Colleges, 2 Horticulture Colleges, 1 Veterinary Polytechnic College and 1 Farmer Training Centre are operating in Bastar. Apart from this, 29 garden nurseries, 9 government fisheries, one poultry farm and one government pig rearing centre are also functioning. KCC coverage has reached 86 percent at present and the target is to issue 1.25 lakh new KCCs in the next three years.