By procuring 2.78 lakh quintals of minor forest produce worth Rs 80.12 crores, Chhattisgarh takes the top spot in the country as per the first trimester of current fiscal data of the Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED).

Data for April-July showed that Chhattisgarh procured 277,958 quintals of minor forest produce. Of the total minor forest produce collection in India worth Rs 93 crores during the period, Chhattisgarh accounted for 88.36 percent.

The prominent procurements were of tamarind (including seeds), Sal seed, tamarind flower, chironji kernesl and bahera.

The Managing Director of Chhattisgarh State Minor Forest Produce Association, Sanjay Shukla, said at present 52 minor forest produce are being procured in the state at minimum support price.

The also provides additional bonus to procure Kusumi Lac, Rangini Lac and Kullu gum.