For The First Time in the Country, Govt. Will Buy Cow Dung From Farmers Under ‘Godhan Nyay’ Scheme

New Delhi : Now farmers will not only sell cow’s milk but cow dung too. The Government of Chhattisgarh has decided to introduce ‘Godan Nyay Yojana’ for cow farming in the state, cow dung management and environmental protection. Under this scheme, the government will buy cow dung from cowherds. While it will be used to stop stray animals on the road, vermicompost will be made from cow dung. It will later be given to farmers, forest department and horticulture department.

Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel told in an online press conference on Thursday that in the state of Chhattisgarh, the Godhan Nyay scheme has been started to make cow rearing economically profitable, prevention of grazing in open, management of stray animals and cities and to protect the environment. He said that the scheme will start from Hareli Parv i.e. 21 July. Chhattisgarh will be the first state in the country to purchase cow dung.

Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel gave this information in a press conference on Thursday. He said that this is the first government in the country to strive towards cow dung management. He said that in future, the government may also consider buying cow urine. This will lead to better results from the point of view of the rural economy. Chief Minister Baghel said that the government wants the state to move towards organic farming. The quality of crops should be improved.

Cabinet sub-committee will decide the price of cow dung
He informed that the rate will be fixed for purchasing cow dung from cattle ranchers. A five-member ministerial sub-committee has been constituted under the chairmanship of Agriculture and Water Resources Minister Ravindra Choubey to determine the rate. He informed that Forest Minister Mohammad Akbar, Cooperation Minister Premasai Singh Tekam, Urban Administration Minister Shiv Kumar Dahria, Revenue Minister Jaisingh Agrawal have been included in this committee. According to the suggestions of farmers, livestock owners, cow owners and intellectuals, this ministerial committee will determine the rate of cow dung in eight days. He informed that a committee of Principal Secretaries and Secretaries has been constituted under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary to determine the process from procurement of cow dung to its financial management and production of vermicompost to its sale.

Baghel said that the Hareli festival in the state will start the purchase of cow dung from cattle herders and farmers at a fixed rate. This scheme will prove to be important in terms of economy in the state and in improving the rural economy and will have far-reaching consequences. Through this, employment opportunities will also increase in villages. The Chief Minister also urged farmers, cattle rearers and intellectuals to make suggestions regarding rate fixation of cow dung in the state. The Chief Minister, in response to a question from reporters, said that the scheme has been prepared solely on the basis of promoting economic activities. This will generate additional income. Employment opportunities will increase. A complete system will work for the implementation of this scheme.

Will promote organic farming
In response to a question, the Chief Minister said that through Vermi Compost we will move towards organic farming. Its huge market is available. Vermicompost fertilizer to be prepared through the Godhan Nyay Yojana will be sold through cooperative societies. In the state, along with farmers, the forest department, agriculture, horticulture, urban administration department require a large amount of fertilizer at the time of plantation and horticulture cultivation. It will be supplied from the fertilizer produced through this scheme. Baghel said that the government will also arrange marketing of additional organic manure.

Stray animals will be managed
Urban administration will do the entire system of prevention of stray animals in cities, from purchasing cow dung to production of vermicompost through it. He informed that Gothans have been constructed for the conservation and promotion of livestock in the village. Gouthans have been constructed in 2200 villages of the state and more Gauthans are being constructed in 2800 villages. In the coming two-three months, Gauthans will be built in about five thousand villages. We are developing these Gothanas as livelihood centers. The manufacture of large quantities of vermicompost has also been started through women self-help groups.