Agri Minister lays foundation of cold store, marketing yard
Agriculture Minister Chander Kumar presided over the Kisan Mela organised by the Agriculture Department at Keylong and laid the foundation stone of a cold store and vegetable marketing yard. The cold store at Dalang will be constructed at a cost of Rs 1 crore. Additionally, Rs 1.21 crore has been sanctioned in the first phase for landscaping the vegetable marketing sub-yard at Karga, with Rs 2.5 crore allocated for the second phase.
Highlighting the government’s commitment to organic farming, the minister stated that farmers in Lahaul have embraced organic practices more extensively than other regions. To support this, the government is setting separate prices for organic produce and allocating dedicated spaces for their sale in vegetable marketing yards statewide.
The minister also addressed ecological concerns, noting that the Atal Tunnel has increased tourism and vehicle influx, which has altered the local ecosystem. He emphasised the need to regulate tourism to conserve the region’s fragile environment.
Farmers excelling in organic farming were honored during the event, which also featured exhibitions by the Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA), Krishi Vigyan Kendra, and other departments.
Dignitaries present included Lahaul MLA Anuradha Rana, Kullu and Lahaul-Spiti APMC Chairman Ram Singh Mian, and Assistant Commissioner Sankalp Gautam.
