The government of Uttarakhand is emphasizing on promoting traditional farming with knowledge and science to increase the income of farmers in the state. Instructions to improve the condition of farmers Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami gave many instructions during the review of the game changer schemes of the Agriculture, Horticulture and Cooperatives Department in the Secretariat. He said that in the areas where farmers are doing good work, they should be encouraged to do better work in the same field. Whatever work is being done by the departments, their results should be visible on the ground. For the coming financial year, the schemes being worked on by the departments should be worked on the basis of their physical condition, financial progress, outcome and output, so that the budget is also used properly and the livelihood of the people also increases. During the review of the Agriculture and Horticulture Department, the Chief Minister directed that special attention should be given to innovation to increase the economy in the field of agriculture and horticulture. Cluster based farming should be promoted. Millet should be promoted further in the state. The construction of polyhouses should be expedited. Along with Aroma, Apple Mission, Kiwi Mission, work should be done towards increasing the production of traditional products and fruits of Uttarakhand. Farmers should be encouraged to increase the production of pear, plum, Malta, orange, peach. Crops which are not damaged by animals should be promoted and farmers should be made aware to increase the production of medicinal plants.
During the review of the Cooperative Department, the Chief Minister directed that proper training should be arranged for people in the field of cooperation. The value chain system should be strengthened to make farmers empowered and self-reliant. Along with increasing the Farmer Producer Organization (FPO) in the state, efforts should be made to increase the income of farmers. In the next 5 years, all the Gram Sabhas of the state should be linked to PACS. Along with increasing the business activities in the cooperative societies, strong arrangements should be made for marketing.
It was informed in the meeting that e-Rupi is being arranged for the convenience of farmers. This facility will be started in the first week of April. This will provide quick, secure and transparent payment facility to the farmers, which will bring digital transformation in the agriculture sector. Aromatic crops Damask Rose, Timaru, Cinnamon, Lemongrass and Mint are being promoted rapidly in the state. The area and productivity of high value aromatic crops are being promoted. Arrangements have been made for the sale of fresh items from ITBP and Army, this will provide a fixed market to the farmers and will also promote local products.
Agriculture Minister Ganesh Joshi, Additional Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan, Principal Secretary R Meenakshi Sundaram, Secretary Shailesh Bagoli, Dilip Jawalkar, SN Pandey, Vinay Shankar Pandey, Ranveer Singh Chauhan, Additional Secretary Sonika, Additional Chief Executive Officer CPPGG Manoj Pant and concerned departmental officers were present in the meeting.
