The Union Ministry of Agriculture has selected Himachal Pradesh for the Commendation Award under Total Food grains category-II of Krishi Karman Award for 2014-15 in recognition of efforts made by the State Agriculture Department for increasing food grains production.
A spokesman of the State Government said on Saturday that Agriculture Commissioner, Ministry of Agriculture S.K. Malhotra has communicated the selection of Himachal Pradesh in this regard to Additional Chief Secretary, Agriculture Upma Chawdhary.
He said that this feat had been achieved due to dedicated efforts of Agriculture Department in extending technological inputs and services to the farmers.
The Spokesman said that a team comprising of Agriculture Minister, Additional Chief Secretary, Agriculture and Director, Agriculture would receive the award in a function to be held soon.
He said that the award would consist of a trophy, citation and cash amount of rupees one crore.
During last three years, total food grains production had increased to 16.73 lakh tonnes in 2014-15 which was 15.41 lakh tonnes in 2011-12. The department had also done commendable work in promoting poly-house cultivation, micro irrigation, organic farming and soil health management.
Krishi Karman Awards were instituted by the Union Ministry of Agriculture in 2010-11 to reward the best performing states in production of rice, wheat, coarse, cereals, pulses and total food grains