Himachal Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh on Thursday said the State Government had laid special emphasis on sustainable growth of agriculture sector which was the mainstay of the majority population of the State. “Efforts were on to increase the productivity of crops for which besides providing adequate irrigation facilities, the Government was also providing various incentives and technical assistance to the farming community,” he said.
Addressing a public meeting at Chandeish, in Sarkhaghat Assembly segment of Mandi district, he said the Government had kept a provision of Rs60 crore for encouraging farmers to grow off- season vegetables. The Government was also providing upto 80 per cent subsidy for constructing poly houses to help the farmers in increasing their income by producing quality produces.
Singh exhorted the youth to take up agriculture and allied activities like producing off-season vegetables and adopting floriculture etc. for earning their livelihood. He also urged the youth to opt for self employment avenues instead of going after Government jobs for which there was a limited scope.later, the Chief Minister also addressed a public meeting at Kot, where he blamed the previous Government for opening many colleges without budgetary provision and proper infrastructure. He said the State Government had opened many colleges in its present regime by making adequate budgetary provision and infrastructure. He also assured to start the Baldwara college in near future.