Rajyotsav 2019 : Vibrant display of minor forest produce based development at Forest Department stall

On account of Chhattisgarh State Foundation Day, Forest Department has put up a stall at Rajyotsav venue based on ‘minor forest produce based development’, which is being appreciated by the visitors. The stall not only exhibits the processing, marketing and promotion process of herbal products but also showcases Van Dhan Vikas Kendra model.

Processing works of tamarind by District Union Jagdalpur, broomstick by District Union Narayanpur and lac by District Union Sarguja has been displayed in an attractive manner at the stall of Forest Department, built as per the instructions of Forest Minister Mr. Mohammad Akbar. Government has set the goal to make proper arrangements for minor forest produce collection, primary processing industries so as to generate maximum possible employment in state. For this, government has set the goal of generating 50 thousand new employment opportunities through minor forest produce collection by March 2020.

Additional Managing Director Chhattisgarh State Small Forest Produce Association Mr. Sanjay Shukla told that at the stall, Sanjeevani group has sold amla and jamun juice worth nearly Rs 69 thousand in first three days of Rajyotsav. Presently, minor forest produce business in state is worth nearly Rs one thousand crore. 80% of this forest produce is sold without processing as raw material to other states. Keeping this in view, as per the instructions of Chief Minister, Minor Forest Produce Association did detailed survey of 1082 haat-bazaars and identified the minor forest produces available there. Moreover, 3500 women self help groups have been selected.