Close X
Thursday, November 28, 2024
ADVT 
India

Himachal to procure up to 20 quintals of naturally grown wheat at Rs 40 per kg

Darpan News Desk IANS, 09 Aug, 2024 02:46 PM
  • Himachal to procure up to 20 quintals of naturally grown wheat at Rs 40 per kg

Shimla, Aug 9 (IANS) The Himachal Pradesh government will procure up to 20 quintals of naturally grown grains per family at a rate of Rs 40 per kg for wheat and Rs 30 per kg for maize, officials said on Friday.

This initiative is a part of the HIM-UNNATI scheme, which is aimed at promoting natural farming in the state.

With an allocation of Rs 150 crore, this scheme will bolster the efforts of approximately 1.92 lakh farmers already practising chemical-free farming on over 32,149 hectares.

The programme will focus on making the agriculture sector economically viable through a cluster-based development model and promoting natural farming.

Under HIM-UNNATI, the government will consolidate small-holding farmers to enable bulk production, ensuring a sufficient marketable surplus.

The initiative will also integrate various ongoing agricultural schemes and coordinate with departments such as Animal Husbandry, Horticulture, Fisheries, and Rural Development to maximize the scheme's impact.

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Friday said: "The scheme would particularly benefit small and marginal farmers, women farmers, and those from weaker sections of society, including Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and below poverty line (BPL) families.

"The scheme is expected to generate self-employment opportunities for approximately 50,000 farmers through the creation of 2,600 focused agricultural clusters. Additionally, it is anticipated to increase productivity by 15-20 per cent in vegetables and cereals."

The HIM-UNNATI scheme includes 100 per cent soil test-based nutrient management to enhance soil productivity, the promotion of high-end product cultivation, and support for traditional crops and millet procurement.

The government has earmarked Rs 50 crore for this fiscal to establish 10 new farmer producer organisations (FPOs) and an additional Rs 10 crore for assistance with wire mesh and barbed wire.

"As part of our commitment to promote natural farming, the government will procure up to 20 quintals of naturally grown grains per family at a rate of Rs 40 per kg for wheat and Rs 30 per kg for maize. This initiative aims to encourage chemical-free farming and foster agricultural entrepreneurship in the state," said the Chief Minister.

The HIM-UNNATI scheme represents the third phase of the Rajiv Gandhi Start-up YojanaHi, further incentivising natural farming practices.

The government also plans to certify 15,000 acres of land as natural farming land through a dedicated web portal.

Additionally, over 1.41 lakh farmers have already been certified under the Certified Evaluation Tool for Agriculture Resource Analysis system.

Natural farming has seen growing popularity in Himachal Pradesh, particularly among women farmers who have shown leadership in adopting these sustainable practices.

MORE India ARTICLES

PM’s letters to BJP candidates, Amit Shah carry nationalistic appeal, target Congress' ‘divisive’ politics

PM’s letters to BJP candidates, Amit Shah carry nationalistic appeal, target Congress' ‘divisive’ politics
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's letter to BJP and NDA candidates ahead of the third phase of Lok Sabha elections reflects the leadership's strategic focus on countering the Congress party's narrative.  

PM’s letters to BJP candidates, Amit Shah carry nationalistic appeal, target Congress' ‘divisive’ politics

India's per capita GDP growing faster than peers, reverses pre-2014 falling trend

India's per capita GDP growing faster than peers, reverses pre-2014 falling trend
Apart from India taking the big leap from the fragile five to the world's top five economies based on GDP in the last 10 years of the Narendra Modi government, an analysis by experts based on IMF data shows that the country's relative performance compared with its peers has also turned better which was not the case earlier.

India's per capita GDP growing faster than peers, reverses pre-2014 falling trend

2,387 candidates in fray for Andhra Pradesh Assembly polls

2,387 candidates in fray for Andhra Pradesh Assembly polls
A total of 2,387 candidates remain in the fray for the elections to the 175-member Andhra Pradesh Assembly while 454 will be testing their electoral fortunes in 25 Lok Sabha constituencies in the state.

2,387 candidates in fray for Andhra Pradesh Assembly polls

Oppn leaders misleading people over reservation: BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad

Oppn leaders misleading people over reservation: BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad
Former Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad has accused Opposition leaders of misleading people on the issue of reservation.

Oppn leaders misleading people over reservation: BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad

Over 66 p.c. voting in phase 1, 2 of Lok Sabha polls: Election Commission

Over 66 p.c. voting in phase 1, 2 of Lok Sabha polls: Election Commission
The Election Commission (EC) on Tuesday released the final voter turnout data for the first two legs of the seven-phase Lok Sabha elections, showing a turnout of over 66 per cent in both phases.

Over 66 p.c. voting in phase 1, 2 of Lok Sabha polls: Election Commission

Ambedkar said there is no place for reservation based on religion, J.P. Nadda slams Cong at Intellectual Meet

Ambedkar said there is no place for reservation based on religion, J.P. Nadda slams Cong at Intellectual Meet
Commenting on reservations for Muslims, BJP President J.P. Nadda said on Tuesday that B.R. Ambedkar said there is no place for reservation based on religious lines.

Ambedkar said there is no place for reservation based on religion, J.P. Nadda slams Cong at Intellectual Meet