Feature Story. Rising inflation, changing times and changed needs have made food providers inclined towards new farming. Annadata of Chhattisgarh is now writing his fortune by cultivating spices besides paddy-wheat. The schemes of Bhupesh government are giving new life to the farmers. The bright morning and flourishing crops are changing the fortunes of the farmers. In other words, farmers are becoming rich by cultivating coriander. Earning huge profits from spice farming. Now slowly the whole country is going crazy about Chhattisgarhi spices.
Chhattisgarh’s new identity in the country
The scope of spices cultivation is increasing in Chhattisgarh. The impact of the farmer friendly policies of the state government is visible in the field of agriculture. Farmers are moving towards innovation. In Chhattisgarh, the farmers who have been cultivating paddy and other traditional crops, are now turning towards the cultivation of spices as well. Chhattisgarh is becoming a new identity in the country in the cultivation of spices. Production of more than 4 lakh metric tonnes
Due to the climate and soil of Chhattisgarh being favorable for the cultivation of spices, the production is also getting good. The farmers of the state are getting good income along with production. There is a situation of balance in the demand and supply of spices in Chhattisgarh. Presently the production of spices is more than four lakh metric tonnes. Also, the results are so encouraging in this area that coriander seeds are also being supplied from Chhattisgarh to other states. Cultivation of Turmeric, Coriander, Fenugreek and Garlic
According to agricultural scientists, the climate of Chhattisgarh is favorable for the production of spices. That’s why the cultivation of spices is continuously increasing here. Turmeric, ginger, red chili, celery, tamarind, garlic are being cultivated. Turmeric, coriander, fenugreek, garlic, chilli, ginger are being cultivated in almost all areas of Chhattisgarh. At the same time, celery is being cultivated in Balrampur, Bilaspur, Gaurela-Pendra-Marwahi and Mungeli, and black pepper is also being cultivated in Kondagaon. Turmeric production is highest.
Along with the area under cultivation of spices, there is a rapid increase in production as well. Spices are currently being cultivated in 66081 hectares in Chhattisgarh. About 4 lakh 50 thousand 849 metric tonnes of spices have been produced. The area and production of turmeric is highest in Chhattisgarh. After that ginger, coriander, garlic, chili, tamarind are being cultivated.
getting help from the plans
For the cultivation of spices, farmers are given assistance under National Horticulture Mission, National Agriculture Scheme and other schemes. Spices have been cultivated in 13302 hectares in 24 districts under the National Horticulture Mission. 93114 MT has been produced. On the other hand, spices were cultivated in 1837.29 hectares in the last four years under the National Agriculture Development Scheme operated in the state. An average production of 12861 metric tonnes has been achieved. About 3500 farmers have been benefited by this.
Farmers getting a lot of income
Mayank Tiwari, a coriander farmer, says that it costs about 20 thousand rupees to sow in one hectare. Income up to 60 to 65 thousand can be obtained on the crop. He told that after deducting all the expenses, there is a net income of 40 to 45 thousand.
increased income of women
Lokeshwari Bai, president of women’s self-help group cultivating turmeric in Balodabazar district, told that turmeric has been planted in one acre, which cost Rs 50,000. The crop turned out to be very good and the average production is likely to be 50-60 quintals, out of which 5 quintals have been dug up.
Big profit from turmeric farming
After grinding and packing, they are selling in the grocery store, due to which an income of 60-65 thousand has been generated. Farmers Arpa Tripathi, Gopal Mishra, Sanjay Tripathi and Jainu Ram of Rajnandgaon together have cultivated turmeric in 12.208 hectares. They are likely to get 250-300 metric tonnes of production..Training of ginger cultivation to 300 farmers.
Farmer Pratap Singh of Korba district told that he sowed ginger crop in 0.400 hectare, which cost Rs 90 thousand. About 47 quintals were produced, he got Rs 1.40 lakh after selling it. In this amount, he got a net profit of 50 thousand rupees. In the last four years, about 300 farmers have been trained for ginger cultivation. These farmers cultivated ginger in 130 hectares and produced 2000 tonnes of ginger.
Research on new variety of spices
Agricultural scientist of Indira Gandhi Agricultural University S.H. Tuteja told that in the past years, research is being done on the seeds of spices, in which two varieties of coriander, CG coriander and CG Chandrahu coriander were developed, due to which good crop is being obtained. Apart from the local level, it is being supplied in other 7 states. Similarly, a new variety of turmeric has also been developed. Tuteja told that there is a very good possibility of spice crops in Chhattisgarh. Now farmers are cultivating it being aware and getting good income.
To encourage the possibilities of spices and their cultivation in Chhattisgarh, a workshop is being organized on March 14 and 15, 2023 at Barrister Thakur Chedilal Agricultural College and Research Center, Sarkanda, Bilaspur. Subject experts from different states of the country will participate in this workshop.
Discussion will be held regarding the possibilities and capabilities of production of spices and aromatic crops in Chhattisgarh. In this, the farmers who cultivate spices and the traders who trade them will also be invited, so that a detailed discussion can be held regarding the new technology of spices and its business benefits.
