To facilitate doubling of the income of farmers by 2022 under the ‘Sankalp Se Sidhhi’ (achievement through resolve) programme, the Government is undertaking coordinated preparations involving 15 sectors for micro-plan and action plan up to the Nyay Panchayat level. The State Agriculture and Horticulture Minister Subodh Uniyal said this at a farmer-scientist workshop in New Tehri late in the evening on Wednesday.
Speaking at the workshop, the minister directed the departmental officers to interact in a cordial manner with the farmers and cooperate in facilitating the benefit to farmers of other government schemes in addition to those related to agriculture and horticulture. Responding to the demand raised by local farmers, the minister also announced that a Kisan Bhawan will be constructed in the district headquarters.
Uniyal said that under the guidance of subject experts, nodal officers will prepare a detailed work plan focused on how to provide various facilities from the stage of cultivation to sale of various crops and fruits cultivated in the identified clusters of the district.He also directed the officials concerned to ensure that seeds, manure, fertiliser and farming equipment to farmers on time. Forty clusters will be formed in each development block for the execution of this scheme with about 50 acre land to be marked under each cluster. The minister stressed that official workshops should not end up being mere formalities but should also bring results on the ground.
Speaking at the workshop the agriculture and horticulture secretary D Senthil Pandiyan informed about the posting of officers and experts from the state to Nyay Panchayat level and their responsibilities. He said that these officials and experts will visit the selected clusters at Nyay Panchayat level and work for redressal of problems being faced by the farmers. Farmers from different parts of the district attending the workshop sought assistance on issues including wild animals damaging crops, irrigation, marketing and timely availability of seeds and manure along with proper guidance. The Tehri district magistrate Sonika said that meeting had been held with officials concerned for the execution of this scheme. Apart from Chamba, farmer outlets are being established also at Tapovan, Kirtinagar and Ghansali, she added.