Raipur, April 15, 2025/ In the special presence of Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai, a comprehensive action plan for the overall development of Bastar was presented today at the “Towards Developed Bastar” discussion held in Jagdalpur. In this important meeting, an in-depth and meaningful discussion was held to highlight the potential of Bastar in sectors like agriculture, skill development, tourism, and industry, and to set a new direction for development. After discussions with officials of the concerned departments, local public representatives, and stakeholders, the Chief Minister reiterated the resolve to take Bastar out of the darkness of Naxalism and towards the light of development. It is noteworthy that Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai is on a two-day visit to Jagdalpur. He attended the discussion “Towards Developed Bastar” on the first day of his visit.
The Chief Minister said that Bastar has suffered the brunt of Naxalism for decades, but now this region is moving forward on a new path of development with its rich tribal culture, natural beauty, agricultural development, skill upgradation, industry, and mineral resources. He emphasized that the resolution of “Developed Chhattisgarh @2047” will be realized through the “Nava Anjor” vision, and it is starting from Bastar. The farmers, women’s groups, young entrepreneurs, and tribal communities of Bastar are ready to write a new chapter of progress for Chhattisgarh.
In the first session of the discussion, there was an extensive discussion on agriculture, horticulture, fish farming, animal husbandry, and organic farming to double the income of Bastar’s farmers. The Chief Minister said that processing, branding, and marketing will be promoted to take Bastar’s indigenous and organic products to markets across the country and abroad. For this, emphasis will be laid on setting up processing units at the local level and ensuring the quality of the products. He said, “Bastar’s products will not only become the identity of Chhattisgarh, but will also make their mark on the global stage.”
In the Bastar division, Kharif crops are cultivated in about 9 lakh hectares and Rabi crops in about 2.75 lakh hectares. The main Kharif crops are paddy and maize. Maize is cultivated in 1.85 lakh hectares in Bastar division, which is targeted to be increased to 3 lakh hectares in the next three years. Emphasis was laid on market linkages of maize producing farmers with biofuel, biopharmaceutical, starch and poultry feed industries, so that the farmers can get maximum benefit of their produce.
Similarly, emphasis was laid on increasing the cultivation of millets from 52 thousand hectares to 75 thousand hectares in the next three years, setting up a processing unit at the local level, and including millets in the food grains of children in schools, Anganwadis and hostels. To promote organic farming in Bastar and market integration with the participation of private companies, an action plan will be prepared for the establishment of 27,600 solar pumps and solar lift irrigation pumps along rivers and canals in three years to expand the irrigation area. A target has been set to establish 30 to 40 new custom hiring centers every year to promote agricultural mechanization. Currently 1010 agricultural machinery centers are operating in Bastar. There was a discussion on setting up cashew processing in Bastar, pickle, spices and coconut oil processing in Kondagaon, custard apple pulp processing in Kanker, honey and turmeric powder processing in Dantewada, and spice processing in Sukma, Narayanpur and Bijapur.
Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai spoke about giving special attention to skill development to make the youth of Bastar self-reliant. During the discussion, it was informed that so far 90 thousand youths have been trained and 40 thousand youths have been employed under the Chief Minister Skill Development Scheme, Prime Minister Skill Scheme, and Niyad Nella Nar schemes. In addition, there is a plan to set up 32 new skill development centers and residential training centers in all seven districts in Bastar. Through these centers, local youth will be connected to employment by providing training as per the demand of the market and industries. Special priority will be given to Naxal affected families, surrendered Naxals and women in these schemes. Agreements have been signed with Mahindra & Mahindra, Nandi, NSDC and NITI Aayog for skill training. Under the Prime Minister Vishwakarma Yojana, 6123 people have been trained in various trades in all seven districts of Bastar division.