The state’s first ethanol plant based on maize processing at Kokodi in Kondagaon district is now taking a concrete shape as per the wish of the Chief Minister of the state Mr. Bhupesh Baghel. A target has been set to complete the maize processing plant by June 2023.
Maize Processing Plant will open the door to economic prosperity of Maize producing farmers of the district. More than 45 thousand farmers will be directly benefited by this. Along with this, processing of maize of maize producing farmers of other nearby districts will be done. Along with this, more than 200 people of the area will get direct employment in the maize processing plant. Establishment of agriculture and forest produce based industries has been kept in the special priority category in the industry policy of Chhattisgarh government.
The maize processing plant being built in Kondagaon district at a cost of Rs 140 crore will improve the lives of farmers. This is the first plant being set up in the cooperative sector with the help of the state government. Kondagaon district has the highest production of maize in the state of Chhattisgarh. With the establishment of this plant, farmers are expected to get maximum price for maize. About 35 percent of the construction work of the processing plant has been completed. This plant will prove beneficial not only in Kondagaon but also for the farmers of Chhattisgarh.
The maize processing plant being set up in village Kokodi will be operated by Maa Danteshwari Maize Processing and Marketing Cooperative Society. This plant is being built on 14 acres of government land in village Kokodi. About 45 thousand farmers have been registered for the supply of maize in this plant. The plant will process 200 metric tonnes of maize per day, from which 80 thousand liters of ethanol will be prepared. With the setting up of this plant, a new environment will be created for private investors to set up other ancillary industries.
Other works including cooling tower and bossing wall have been completed in the maize processing plant being constructed at village Kokodi in Kondagaon district. Steel binding work is in progress. Along with this, the work of Fermentation Cooling Tower has also been completed. The work of construction of warehouse of the plant is also going on. The work of Boiling section is also being done at a fast pace. About 60 to 70 percent of the civil work of the bowling section has been completed. Similarly, civil section for ESP section has also been completed and 80 percent work of turbine has also been completed. The construction work of fermentation tank is going on in this plant. Approval has been received from Environment Department and ground water use for Maize Processing Plant. Approval has been received from PESO and IEM.
3.48 lakh metric tonnes production in Kondagaon district
Maize production has got a big boost in both Kharif and Rabi seasons in Kondagaon district in the last three-four years. Enthused by the establishment of the plant, farmers are increasing the area under maize year after year. At present, 3 lakh 48 thousand 127 metric tonnes of maize is produced in Kondagaon district every year.
Farmers’ share capital Rs 7.06 crore
The processing plant for the manufacture of ethanol from maize was found feasible by the State Project Finance Committee. Farmers have contributed a share capital of Rs 7.06 crore in the construction of this plant which is being built at a cost of about Rs 140 crore. Similarly, Rs 21.19 crore has been given by the Mandi Board, Rs 35.32 crore by the state government and Rs 2.10 crore from the cooperative’s own funds. The remaining Rs 75 crore has been raised through bank loans.
Incentive to maize producing farmers
कोण्डागांव जिले में समर्थन मूल्य पर मक्का उपार्जन के लिए 47 खरीदी केन्द्र बनाए गए हैं। जिले के कोण्डागांव माकड़ी, फरसगांव, बड़ेराजपुर विकासखण्ड में मक्के का बड़े पैमाने पर उत्पादन होता है। मक्का खरीदी का कार्य छत्तीसगढ़ नागरिक आपूर्ति निगम के द्वारा किया जा रहा है। मक्का उत्पादक किसानों को राज्य सरकार द्वारा राजीव गांधी किसान न्याय योजना के तहत 9 हजार रूपए प्रति एकड़ के मान से इनपुट सब्सिडी भी दी जा रही है।
मक्का उत्पादन से जुड़े हैं 65 हजार किसान
कोण्डागांव जिले में खरीफ सीजन में एक लाख 24 हजार 188 तथा रबी सीजन में 2 लाख 23 हजार 929 टन मक्का का उत्पादन होता है। मक्का उत्पादन से जिले के लगभग 65 हजार किसान जुड़े हुए हैं।
विदेशी मुद्रा की होगी बचत
The ethanol produced at the plant will be sold to Indian Oil Corporation. Which will be mixed with petrol and sold. Due to this, foreign exchange will also be saved and farmers will also get reasonable price for maize.
