Government launches numerous schemes for strengthening farming community of State
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The State Government is making concerted efforts to boost Agro economy of the state to make Himachal self-reliant in the field of agriculture and allied sectors by implementing farmer-friendly schemes to increase their economy.
Under the agriculture based ‘Him Unnati Yojana’, cluster based activities were being developed in a phased manner. As many as 2,600 clusters will be formed throughout the state out of which 1200 will be created by the agriculture department, 1100 by the natural farm units and 300 by JICA with a provision of Rs. 15 crore in this financial year.
Not only the scheme aims to make agriculture economically viable by promoting a cluster-based development model and natural farming practices but the initiative will consolidate smallholding farmers for bulk production and integrate with existing agricultural schemes and departments like animal husbandry and horticulture to maximize the impact. Cluster based vegetable production is also being promoted to benefit farmers and rural youth.
Similarly, yet another scheme the Mukhyamantri Krishi Samvardhan Yojana is also being successfully implemented which includes cluster based vegetable production, distribution of hybrid seeds and subsidies on fertilizers besides strengthening the laboratories so as to increase the productivity of crops. Farmers are being given 50 percent subsidy on seeds of cereals, pulses, oilseeds and fodder crops and 25 percent subsidy on seeds of potato, ginger and turmeric. In the financial year 2023-24, about 60 thousand farmers were benefited by distributed hybrid seeds and there is a provision of Rs. 23.60 crore this fiscal. To cater to the needs of the farmers, the agriculture department is producing about 17 thousand quintals of base seed of various crops annually.
In order to take new agricultural methods from labs to the field, new techniques are being adopted vis-Ã -vis measures have been taken to strengthen the laboratories so that farmers could derive maximum benefits out of the improvised technology. As of now, the agriculture department is operating 11 soil, three each seed and fertilizer labs, two bio-control, one pesticide testing and one bio-fertilizer production and quality control laboratory. To ensure timely supply of fertilizers to the farmers Rs. 2 crore 77 lakh is being spent this financial year.
Machines like fodder cutters, maize and wheat threshers, brush cutters etc. not only reduce the labour of farmers but also increase the productivity of agricultural crops. In Himachal, 50 percent subsidy is being provided to farmers under the Rajya Krishi Yantrikaran Programme. In this financial year, rupees five crore is being spent under the scheme.
Robust Irrigation system was yet another component and an integral part of agricultural activity. Considering this, the Government has launched ‘Jal Se Krishi Ko Bal Yojana’ to ensure this that sufficient flow of water to cater the needs of the farming community. Check dams and ponds are being constructed at various places in the state including Small lift and flow irrigation schemes with an objective to solve the irrigation problem of farmers under the Scheme. A sum of rupees eight crore is being spent under the scheme in this financial year. Apart from this, work is being done to renovate and strengthen the canals in community areas, rejuvenating shallow wells etc.
