Chhattisgarh: Agriculture | Chhattisgarh State PSC (CGPSC) Preparation: All subjects - CGPSC (Chhattisgarh) PDF Download

Introduction

Agriculture is the chief economic occupation in Chhattisgarh. According to a government estimate, the net sown area of the state is 4.828 million hectares, and the gross sown area is 5.788 million hectares. Horticulture and animal husbandry also engage a major share of the total population. About 80% of the state's population is rural, with agriculture and agriculture-based small industries being the main livelihoods for villagers.

Agro-Climatic Zones of Chhattisgarh

Chhattisgarh is divided into three agro-climatic zones:

• Chhattisgarh Plains Zone: Covering 51.0% of the geographical area.
• Bastar Plateau Zone: Covering 28.0% of the geographical area.
• Northern Hills Zone: Covering 21.0% of the geographical area.

The location of the state near the Bay of Bengal significantly influences the monsoon patterns in the northern part of the country. The cropping intensity of the state is approximately 135 percent.

Agro-Climatic Zones Breakdown

• Bastar Plateau: Districts: Bastar, Bijapur, Dantewada, Narayanpur, Sukma, Kondagaon
• Chhattisgarh Plains: Districts: Raipur, Raigarh, Korba, Bilaspur, Janjgir-Champa, Kanker, Rajnandgaon, Durg, Mahasamund, Dhamtari, Kabirdham (Kawardha), Baloda Bazar, Gariyaband, Balod, Bemetara, Mungeli
• Northern Hills: Districts: Balrampur, Jashpur, Korea, Surajpur, Surguja

Agricultural Products

• The main crops of Chhattisgarh are rice, maize, small millets, pulses (tuar and kulthi), and oilseeds such as groundnuts (peanuts), soybean, and sunflowers. Despite being the "rice bowl of central India," in the mid-1990s, Chhattisgarh was predominantly a monocrop belt, with only one-fourth to one-fifth of the sown area being double-cropped.
• Given the large portion of the population dependent on agriculture, there's an urgent need to transform these monocrop areas into double-cropped regions. Additionally, the diversification of agricultural produce toward oilseeds and other cash crops is necessary to improve the state's agricultural output.

Agricultural Development in the State

• Despite agriculture being the primary occupation, many farmers in Chhattisgarh continue to practice traditional methods of cultivation. This has led to low growth rates and productivity. It is essential to educate farmers on modern agricultural technologies suitable for their land holdings to improve productivity and economic benefits.
• The state has limited irrigated areas, leading to lower productivity not only in rice but also in other crops. As a result, agriculture in the state has remained largely subsistence-based.

Government Initiatives and Achievements

• Over the years, the Chhattisgarh state government has made significant efforts to regenerate the state's agricultural economy and improve farmers' livelihoods. These efforts have yielded positive results. To increase rice production, the state government provided aid to farmers and promoted advanced agricultural technologies. As a result, Chhattisgarh received the prestigious "Krishi Karman Award" from the Government of India for the highest paddy production in the years 2010-11, 2012-13, and 2013-14. The state was also recognized as the "fourth state of pulses output" in 2014-15.
• Additionally, Agriculture Today magazine awarded Chhattisgarh the "Agriculture Leadership Award" in 2015. Over the past 12 years, the state has seen significant increases in agricultural production:
  • Total grain: 39% increase
  • Total pulses: 24% increase
  • Total oilseeds: 13% increase
  • Rice: 35% increase
  • Wheat: 13% increase

Conclusion

The achievements in agricultural production and the accolades received by Chhattisgarh are a testament to the hard work and dedication of the state's farmers. However, there is still a need to continue modernizing agricultural practices and diversifying crop production to ensure sustained growth and prosperity in the agricultural sector.