CM: For uplift of farmers, state to frame horticulture policy
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today said that Himachal would be the first state to formulate a horticulture policy to enhance its production and become the fruit bowl of India.
Shiva Project to cover 6,000 hectares
- As many as 60 lakh fruit saplings will be planted under the HP Shiva Project of the Horticulture Department to cover 6,000 hectares by 2028, said the Chief Minister
- 4,000 hectares will be covered in the first phase and the remaining 2,000 hectares in the second phase
- The government is expecting 1.30 lakh metric tonnes of produce from the project by 2032 with around ~230 crore trade value per annum
- The project is expected to provide direct and indirect employment to 82,500 people of the state
The Chief Minister, while reviewing the performance of the HP Shiva Project of the Horticulture Department, said, “The Rs 1,292 crore Shiva project will cover 6,000 hectares in seven districts of the state with thrust on inter-cropping. Saplings of guava, citrus fruits, pomegranate, dragon fruit, blue berry and jack fruits will be planted in two phases.”
Sukhu directed the department to bring small and marginal farmers under this project to strengthen their economy. The state government was according top priority to strengthening the rural economy and the horticulture sector could play a crucial role in the uplift of farmers, he added.
The Chief Minister said that 60 lakh fruit saplings would be planted under the project to cover 6,000 hectares by 2028. Under the project, 4,000 hectares would be covered in the first phase and the remaining 2,000 hectares in the second phase. “We are expecting 1.30 lakh metric tonnes of produce from the project by 2032 with around Rs 230 crore trade value per annum,” he added.
He said that this project would also provide direct and indirect employment to 82,500 people of the state. He directed the department to incorporate modern technology in the project to ensure remunerative prices to farmers and provide necessary technical support. Secretary, Horticulture, Priyanka Basu, Secretary to Chief Minister Rakesh Kanwar and Director, Horticulture, Vinay Singh attended the meeting.
