hp-to-introduce-trademarks-for-natural-farming-produce

 

 

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu reviewed various schemes of the Agriculture department here today and stressed the need to expand natural farming in the state.

 

He said that products grown using natural farming methods would be branded and marketed under distinct trademarks to ensure better prices for the farmers associated with the sector. 

 

He directed to evolution of a comprehensive system for certification, packaging and marketing of natural farming produce and said that special labs would also be set up in the state for soil testing and to certify the produce.

 

 He expressed serious concern over the rising cases of cancer in the state and urged the farmers to adopt chemical-free farming practices.

 

Sukhu also directed the officers to rationalise the agriculture department and assured the vacant posts in the department would also be filled to address the shortage of staff.  

 

He said that 70 per cent of the population was associated with the agriculture sector and therefore, the state government had laid a special focus on enhancing the income of the people living in the rural areas. 

 

He said that the rural economy was the priority sector of the state government and special initiatives have been taken in the budget 2024-25 to boost the economy.

 

The Chief Minister said that in the future agriculture department, Jal Shakti Vibhag in collaboration with JICA and SHIVA projects would implement integrated irrigation schemes to maximise the benefits to the farmers and make these schemes viable.

 

He said that the government would ensure adequate funds for the remodelling and repair of the traditional kuhls. He directed to set up of cold stores according to the requirements and specific crop production needs in the respective district.

 

He said that silos would be set up for the storage of wheat and maize under JICA.

 

The CM said that the state government was also making earnest efforts to enhance the milk production in the State and procurement rates for buffalo and cow milk have been increased to Rs. 55 and Rs 45 per litre respectively.

 

He said that animal rearing and natural farming were allied activities, therefore, the state government was also contemplating enhancing financial assistance to the farmers for purchasing indigenous cows and buffalos in the natural farming clusters. 

 

He said that the climate of the state is best suited for the dairy sector and by capitalizing on this, farmer's income could be significantly improved, thereby strengthening their economy.  He stressed the need for integrating natural farming, animal rearing, fisheries and beekeeping.

 

He also reviewed the functioning of JICA and Milkfed and asked to digitise the working of their organizations.

 

Agriculture Minister Chander Kumar, Principal Secretary Finance Devesh Kumar, Secretary Agriculture C. Paulrasu, Secretary to Chief Minister Rakesh Kanwar, Director Agriculture Kumud Singh and other senior officers also attended the meeting.