Raipur (Chhattisgarh): Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Monday launched the 'Godhan Nyay Yojana' in Raipur on the occasion of Hareli festival.
Baghel also took part in Hareli festival, which is celebrated to mark the onset of agricultural activities.
Under the Godhan Nyay Yojana, the state government will procure cow dung for large-scale production of vermicompost.
The purchased cow dung will be used in the production of vermicompost, which will then be sold through cooperative societies, to meet the requirement of farmers and government departments, including forest, agriculture and horticulture.
With the launch of this scheme, livestock owners will provide proper fodder and water to their cattle and keep them tied in sheds so that cow dung can be collected and sold for additional profit, Baghel had earlier said.
"This will not only promote organic farming, but will also create new employment opportunities, encourage protection of cows, stop open grazing, and will expand the double-crop area, creating a source of extra income of livestock owners," read an earlier government release.
The state cabinet has approved the cow dung procurement rate at Rs 2 per kg, including transport cost.
In the first phase, procurement of cow dung will be started in 2,408 gothans (cow shelters) in rural areas and 377 gothans in urban areas. Cow dung will be purchased in a phased manner in all 11,630 gram panchayats of the state, an official release said.
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