Raipur, 20 December 2021 / Chief Minister Mr. Bhupesh Baghel has given in-principle consent for the establishment of Food Irradiation Park (irradiation of food items) in the government sector of Chhattisgarh. Expressing joy over the government-level initiative for transfer of technology from Bhabha Atomic Research Center for power generation from cow dung and also for establishment of the food irradiation plant in Chhattisgarh, Mr. Baghel said that this initiative would help the farmers of the state to receive better profits for their produce. Chief Minister Mr. Bhupesh Baghel, while transferring an amount of Rs. 3 crore 93 lakh online to cow dung sellers, Gauthan committees and women self-help groups under the Godhan Nyay Yojana, at his residence office today, congratulated the cattle owners, Gauthan committees and the women of the self-help group. On this occasion, Chief Minister directed the officials to procure dung from the people of dependent villages in the Gauthans. On this occasion, Chief Minister also launched Gauthan Map App developed by NIC for monitoring the activities conducted in Gauthans. Agriculture Minister Mr. Ravindra Choubey, Former Union Minister Mr. Bhakt Charandas, Advisor to Chief Minister Mr. Pradeep Sharma, Chairman of Mineral Development Corporation Mr. Girish Devangan were specially present on this occasion.

Chief Minister Mr. Bhupesh Baghel said that through gauthans and Godhan Nyay Yojana, we are serving and protecting Gaumata in Chhattisgah with the help of cattle rearers, villagers, farmers, shepherds, and people associated with gauthan samitis. Fodder and water has been arranged for the cattle in gauthans. Chief Minister further said that to benefit the people of dependent villages under Godhan Nyay Yojana, arrangements should be made in gauthans for the procurement of dung from sellers of the dependent villages. Chief Minister added that as of now, the hay available in gauthans is not sufficient. He appealed to the farmers to donate hay for cattle fodder in Gauthans. He directed the Agriculture Production Commissioner to conduct hay donation campaign on a large scale, with the help of the District Collectors. Chief Minister also directed the officials to arrange for green fodder in gauthans. He added that Forest Department has ensured the reaping of green fodder. Cattle rearers should be encouraged to purchase green fodder.
Chief Minister directed that at least five types of income-oriented activities should be compulsorily conducted in each of the Gauthans to improve the income of women groups associated with the Gauthans. He directed that the work of processing and value addition of minor forest produce should be initiated in Gauthans of forest areas as priority. Chief Minister said that the farmers of Chhattisgarh are using the vermicompost and super compost produced in Gauthans of the state in their farms, which has started yielding promising results. According to the farmers, vermi compost has enhanced the fertility of the land and has also improved soil in the farms. To promote Vermi Compost and Super Compost, Chief Minister has directed the officials to widely publicize the benefits of these organic fertilizers and to encourage the farmers to use it for farming.
Agriculture Minister Mr. Ravindra Choubey said that according to the instructions of Chief Minister Mr. Bhupesh Baghel, Agriculture Department has sped up the process of approval and construction of Gauthans in villages. Gauthans will be established in all the gram panchayats of the state. So far, about 14 lakh quintals of vermi and super compost have been produced from cow dung. Now, after taking
the initiative of producing electricity from cow dung, we are going to start manufacturing natural paint from cow dung. He said that Godhan Nyay Yojana is exemplary for the entire country. This scheme is being praised across the country. At the onset, Agriculture Production Commissioner Dr. Kamalpreet gave a power point presentation regarding the progress of Godhan Nyay Yojana. He also informed about the progress of technology transfer from Bhabha Atomic Research Centerfor power generation from cow dung and for the food irradiation plant in Chhattisgarh. He said that the first food irradiation plant in the state of Chhattisgarh would be set up by the government. He said that the technology of food irradiation plant has been recognized in many countries of America and Europe. The food items of the food irradiation plant to be set up in Chhattisgarh will be directly supplied to foreign countries. Giving a power point presentation about the Gothan Map app, Special Secretary of Agriculture Department and Managing Director of Godhan Nyay Mission, Dr. S. Bharathidasan said that this app would help in monitoring the activities of Gauthans and marketing the material produced there. Additional Chief Secretary Mr. Subrat Sahu, Director Agriculture Mr. Yashwant Kumar, Director Horticulture Mr. Matheswaran V, Director Veterinary Mrs. Chandan Tripathi and other officers were also present in the program.
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