Chg farmers to sow high zinc rice seeds to fight malnutrition

In a bid to mitigate malnutrition in tribal-dominated Chhattisgarh, the seeds of high zinc enriched variety ofricewere distributed to farmers here today for commercial production.
Chief Minister Raman Singh launched the seeds of new species of paddy, 'Chhattisgarh Zinc Rice-1', recently developed by Indira Gandhi Agriculture University, Raipur, to farmers at the "National Farmers Fair" which began in Jora village on the outskirts of the capital.
"Farmers of our state are actually the greatest agriculture scientists. They have combined traditional methods and experience with modern technology, and have thereby made great achievements," the Singh said while addressing the opening ceremony of the three-day event.

"It is because of their (farmers') hard work that we have taken a leap from only rice export to export of fruits and vegetables along with rice," he said.
On the occasion, 1,500 mini kits of these seeds which are high-yielding in nature, were distributed to farmers.
The Chief Minister further said the fair is a great opportunity to learn about the progress of Chhattisgarh in agro-sector in the last 15 years.

"With their perseverance and dedication, state's farmers have brought a revolution in the field of agriculture. Various schemes run by agriculture department in coordination with Indira Gandhi Agriculture University have also accelerated growth of agro-sector," he said.

"The credit of three 'Krishi Karman Awards' conferred on Chhattisgarh Government in the past also goes to the farmers of state," Singh said.
The Chief Minister also felicitated farmer Dushyant Singh of Janjgir-Champa district for individually preserving an old species of paddy - 'Ramjeera' - for past 50 years.
The fair is organised with an objective to educate farmers about advanced agriculture methods around the world and encourage them to adopt modern ways.
All modern methods of agriculture have been put on display in the stalls where farmers will get to know about soil test and modern ways of cultivation.

Agriculture seminars will be organised during the event where farmers will be informed about the method of cultivation with limited water supply during drought conditions and many more things.