Shimla: In its bid to promote organic farming, the state government’s Rs 321-crore cash crop diversification project launched in five districts of the state, has brought 22,000 hectare of land under organic farming with 40,000 farmers having registered under the scheme.
Shimla: In its bid to promote organic farming, the state government’s Rs 321-crore cash crop diversification project launched in five districts of the state, has brought 22,000 hectare of land under organic farming with 40,000 farmers having registered under the scheme.
According to the government spokesperson, a target of bringing 2,000 hectare of additional land under organic farming besides developing 200 bio villages has already been set up. The state government has announced attractive prizes for farmers for excellent work in organic production. First, second and third prizes of Rs 3 lakh, Rs 2 lakh and Rs one lakh, respectively, will be given to the farmers adopting organic farming.
The scheme is being implemented in Kangra, Una, Bilaspur, Hamirpur and Mandi districts in collaboration with the Japan International Co-operation Agency (JAICA). As of today, an amount of Rs 212 crore has been spent under the scheme and provision of spending Rs 80 crore has been made for the current fiscal.
With the concerted efforts of the Agriculture Department and Agriculture University, Palampur, an enormous change has been noticed in agricultural activities in the state. Agriculture University, Palampur, has separately established a organic farming wing for giving direction and momentum to the campaign in the state.
As per an agriculture survey, there is a scanty use of chemicals in the state, 158 gram as against 381 gm per hectare average in the country. Thus ‘vermiculture’ is the key component in promoting organic farming.
The farmers are being provided 50 per cent subsidy for installing a vermi- compost unit and 1.50 lakh such units have been established in the state so for. A target of installing 20,000 more such units have been fixed for this fiscal so as to ensure adequate availability of vermi compost to the farmers.
Five units for the production of bio fertilisers have been established so that farmers can be provided adequate fertilizers in a time-bound manner.
Himachal Pradesh has been given the “Krishi Karmanya Awards” for two consecutive financial years 2014-15 and 2015-16 for excellent enhancement in the agriculture production.
Govt announces attractive prizes
The state government has announced attractive prizes for farmers for excellent work in organic production. First, second and third prizes of Rs 3 lakh, Rs 2 lakh and Rs one lakh, respectively, will be given to the farmers adopting organic farming.
