Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Friday said Chhattisgarh was witnessing radical changes in rural economy, especially with the strengthening of the cooperatives sector.
Baghel said this while virtually inaugurating 11 ATMs, a godown and a cooperative bank building in Ahiwara in Durg.
Baghel told the function that the government was consistently working towards the economic empowerment of farmers and progressive development of the rural economy.
Also, agricultural loans were being provided at zero interest, he said.
Besides, the government has waived off farmers' loans and irrigation taxes. Along with this, the Rajiv Gandhi Kisan Nyay Yojana provides a fair price to farmers for their produce.
Timely release of input subsidy under this scheme has helped the farmers to improve their farming practices. Moreover, the government has now decided to purchase 20 quintals of paddy per acre, he said.
The Chief Minister said that earlier there were 1,333 service cooperative societies in the state. Today, these number 2,058.
As many as 725 new co-operative societies were formed by the government to further facilitate the distribution of loans, fertilizers and seeds to the farmers.
New paddy procurement centers have been opened in the state so that farmers can sell paddy near their villages. Presently 2,617 paddy procurement centers are operational.
