Balaghat Paddy Rice Cooperative Madhya Pradesh

Balaghat in the Balaghat district of Madhya Pradesh in the Wainganga river basin is the top paddy rice producing district of MP, combining fertile black soil with river irrigation to produce HYV and traditional paddy varieties. Balaghat is the rice bowl of Madhya Pradesh, supplying paddy to cooperative procurement centres under MSCMSC state marketing federation. The district also produces manganese ore from the Balaghat manganese belt which is among India richest. Cooperative primary agricultural societies PACS provide crop loans to paddy farmers and manage paddy procurement at minimum support price during Kharif harvest in November-December. Women self-help groups in Balaghat produce value-added rice products including puffed rice, rice flour, and poha beaten rice through cooperative processing units. The Wainganga river and Bhanpura wildlife sanctuary provide forest NTFP livelihood support to tribal Gond communities in Balaghat district alongside paddy cultivation.