- Vishnubhog rice worth over ₹45,000 was sold in just 30 minutes.
Arpa-Bihan Vishnubhog rice, produced and processed by women from self-help groups affiliated with the National Rural Livelihood Mission (Bihan), is receiving continued promotion in the district. During the visit of Chhattisgarh Government’s Minister for Skill Development, Technical Education, and Employment, Guru Khushwant Saheb, and a local public interaction program held at the Assembly Hall in Pendra, public representatives, officials, and citizens praised Vishnubhog rice and enthusiastically purchased it.
Chief Guest Minister Guru Khushwant Saheb, Marwahi MLA Shri Pranav Kumar Marpachi, and Kota MLA Shri Atal Srivastava purchased Vishnubhog rice from the self-help group women, encouraging them. Local resident Shri Pankaj Tiwari became the largest buyer by purchasing 200 kilograms of Vishnubhog rice. In addition, other public representatives and citizens from Raipur and the district also promoted the women’s products by purchasing rice. During the program, Vishnubhog rice worth over 45,000 rupees was sold by the Women Farmer Producer Company (FPO) in just 30 minutes, which was considered a significant achievement towards women’s self-reliance. It
is noteworthy that Vishnubhog rice is produced organically by women from self-help groups. The processing, branding, packaging, and marketing of rice is done through the Women Farmer Producer Company formed under Bihan, providing a better market for the product and fair prices to farmers. Collector Dr. Santosh Kumar Dewangan and Chief Executive Officer of the District Panchayat, Mr. Mukesh Raote, are continuously promoting Vishnubhog rice at various programs and forums in the district, leading to an increase in both its demand and production. Mr. Durgashankar Soni, District Manager of the National Rural Livelihood Mission, stated that 179 CMSA villages have been selected under the Mission. This year, a target has been set to increase the production of Vishnubhog paddy in an area of more than 250 acres, so that farmers can get better prices for their produce and women of self-help groups can become economically empowered and take the Lakhpati Didi campaign to new heights.
