Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister said that State would introduce prizes scheme for progressive farmers in order to boost agriculture sector. He said that cash prizes of Rs. 50 thousand to 6 progressive farmers at State level, Rs. 25 thousand to 28 farmers at District level and Rs. 10 thousand to 195 farmers
at Block level would be provided by the State Government. He was addressing the State level Kisan Mela jointly organized by Agriculture, Horticulture and Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry at Sujanpur Tihra in District Hamirpur today.
He said that State would accord top priority to revive and strengthen the agro-economy and sprinkler and drip irrigation would be boosted. He said that employment and self-employment avenues would be generated to rural youth to make them self-reliant. He said that every farmer would be issued soil health card and added that State would share 50 percent of the premium amount of Kisan Bima Yojana . He said that Primate Park would be developed on Sujanpur – Naudan road to check monkey menace.
Chief Minister said that scientific research should be brought to the fields for practical implementation and added that State Government had decided to test farm soil of one lakh farmers and suggest them about appropriate crops, the soil could produce which would be detailed in the Soil Health Card Scheme. He said that the State would witness boost in farming sector with increase in production during coming time. He emphasized the need to make field officers spend most of their time among farmers to resolve their problems and to provide necessary guidance. He said that agriculture and horticulture scientists should check the scab and other fungal diseases in the fruit plants for which further research was needed.
He said that diversified farming was the need of the hour which could be instrumental in boosting the agro-economy and added that varied climatic conditions of State were conducive for cultivation of all types of crops. . He said that efforts would be made to create required infrastructure for agro produce marketing at District and Sub-divisional level. He said that State had vast potential for cultivation of flowers, herbs and others cash crops and added that agriculture, horticulture, forest and ayurveda departments would work in close coordination to achieve the objective.
He said that the State Government had lifted the ban over the open sale of Khair wood within and outside the State, subject to vacation of stay by the honorable court. He said that State had set up a primate park near Tara Devi on experimental basis to provide monkeys natural habitat where natural feed would be made available. He said that forest authorities were monitoring the simian behaviour in changed environment.Chief Minister said that Government had made provision of Rs. 40.11 crore for second phase of Swan River Channelization in District Una where work was in progress.
Prof. Dhumal said that rural women were playing pivotal role in agriculture and horticulture sectors and added that women were the first to adopt new scientific technology. He said that self-help groups which were producing traditional domestic products have revived the economy and were gaining popularity.
He said that animal husbandry had been accorded priority and the milk producers had been given an enhanced procurement milk rate of Rs. 2 per kg. He said that price of milk being sold by milkfed would not be hiked and consumers would continue to get milk at the old rate. He said that State Government would provide Rs. 9 crore to milkfed to maintain price hike. He emphasized the need to adopt animal husbandry as self-employment avocation and urged the farmers not to leave their milk yielding animals astray.
Contract Medical Officers (Dental) Associatioin, H.P presented a draft of Rs. 51 thousand, Hamirpur unit of Krishi Sewa Samiti presented draft of Rs. 21 thousand, BEX Gallagher Private Ltd. Bhoomi Polymers presented a draft of Rs. 21 thousand as contribution towards Chief Minister’s relief fund.
Chief Minister gave away prizes to farmers for quality agro produce and distributed mini kits on the occasion.
He also inaugurated exhibition put up by various public, private parties and self-help groups and evinced keen interest in the exhibits.He distributed bank drafts of Rs. 7.35 lakh to 52 beneficiaries of Hamirpur District for acquiring modern tools under National Horticulture Technology Mission.
Shri I.D. Dhiman, Education Minister said that agriculture had been primary source of income for the people of the State and added that Government was laying emphasis over modern agriculture practices. He said that with the empowerment of agriculturists, the state would prosper and rural economy would be strengthened. He said that various promotional programmes being executed by the State agencies were encouraging scientific farming in the State .Smt. Urmil Thakur, Local MLA welcomed the Chief Minister. She urged for preparation of project to channelize rainwater through check dams and for irrigation facility to farmers of the District. She emphasized the need to develop suitable market for rural women who were producing traditional products.Dr. J.C. Rana, Director Agriculture detailed out the activities of the Department.Shri Gurdev Singh, Director Horticulture also informed about the horticulture activities of the State.
Shri M.C. Parmar, Chairman HPSSSB, Hamirpur, Prof. Jag Mohan Chauhan, Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Shri Rajender Rana, State BJP Spokes person, Shri Pyare Lal Sharma, former Chairman, Zilaparishad, Ms. Nandita Gupta, Deputy Commissioner, Shri Asif Jalal, Superintendent of Police, prominent people and farmers from different parts of the State were present.