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Farm Productivity, Output to Zoom
While industrial growth occupies a place of priority
in the State Government's economic policies,
agriculture gets an equal thrust in the
developmental agenda. In fact, the fertile plains of
Chhattisgarh are known as the “Rice Bowl” of
Central India. The State Government is aware that
agriculture and forest wealth can generate
enormous employment opportunities. It is but
natural that the Chhattisgarh State Skill
Development Mission (CSSDM), set up under the
chairmanship of the Chief Minister, has identified
agriculture and food processing, medicinal extracts
from forest-based herbal plants, forest and forest
produce-based industries and village industries as
key areas among others for creating an estimated
12.5 million jobs by 2022.
Out of 137.00 lakh hectares geographical area of
Chhattisgarh, 43 percent area comes under cultivation.
On the basis of climate & topography the state is divided
into three agro-climatic zones. The Bastar Plateau
comprises of Bastar, Dantewada, Beejapur &
Narayanpur districts and a part of Kanker (excluding
Charama, Narharpur & Kanker Blocks). Northern parts
of the state comes under "Northern Hilly Region" which
comprises of Sarguja, Koriya & Jashpur Districts.
Bilaspur, Raipur, Janjgeer-Champa, Raigarh,
Rajnandgaon, Kawardha, Durg, Mahasamund,
Dhamtari, Korba and parts of Kanker come under
"Plains of Chhattisgarh".
Land of Rich
Bio-Diversity
The State has taken several steps for their preservation.
Natural attractions are being promoted with increased
local participation and It is but natural the State has
taken initiatives in developing herbal gardens and
natural health resorts and preserving the mystique of
aboriginal tribal ethno-medicine which predates even
the Ayurveda.
The State Government is also encouraging investments
in establishment of business-cum-recreation centres to
cater to the needs of business travellers. State-of-the-art
convention centres, seminar halls etc for corporate
events are being encouraged. Investments for the
entertainment needs of business tourists with high
Varied ecological condition enables cultivation of
various crops in different parts of the state. As per the
census 2001, 83 percent of the population of the State
in engaged in agriculture and allied sectors. It reveals
that agriculture is still the backbone of state's economy.
For 11th Five-Year Plan (2007-2012) plan it is targeted
to increase the rice area, production & productivity by
1.0 percent, 31 percent and 133 percent respectively in
kharif. For pulses and oilseeds an increase of 30 and 60
percent in area and 58 percent and 101 percent in
production is targeted respectively. A target to bring
1.04 lakh ha. area under assured irrigation is fixed for
11th plan. By all the above increase it is estimated that
cropping intensity will reach at level of 143 percent at
end of 11th plan.
purchasing power, facilities such as hotels,
entertainment and amusement parks, multiplexes,
health spas, shopping malls and golf courses are also
being encouraged.
Chhattisgarh has a large tribal population and has a
rich cultural heritage. It has virgin places of tourist
attractions - waterfalls, temples & caves.
- INDO US BUSINESS SPECIAL ISSUE
44