Steps will be taken to develop the agriculture sector to boost the State’s economy. It is necessary to make a policy suited to the mountainous regions for cultivation of herbs, floriculture, agriculture and dairy enterprise. The use of modern technology by farmers should be facilitated to enable them to derive maximum benefit. Chief Minister Harish Rawat made all these statements while chairing the first meeting of the high powered subject experts group constituted under the Forest and Rural Development division. Speaking at the meet, the CM said that a plan must be made to strengthen agriculture as a base of the State’s economy.
“The State has made a concrete action plan to achieve this. To control migration from mountainous regions, we are introducing schemes to encourage people to return to agriculture. Decrease in farming in the mountains is a cause for concern. Four clusters each in Garhwal and Kumaon will be made to encourage cluster based farming and horticulture. The construction of security walls is being facilitated to protect farms from wild animals. Two wineries will be opened in Garhwal and Kumaon to encourage horticulture so that 70 per cent of the fruits are used in the wineries which in turn will increase the demand for the fruits. Clusters will also be developed in the State for sheep and goat rearing,” said Rawat.
He said that limited use of the superior institutions and resources in the State is a cause for concern. Special focus is being accorded to land consolidation. An action plan is also being worked out for Mission Pulses to encourage cultivation of pulses.
Member secretary of the committee, Manoj Sharma informed that the agenda for the meeting included productivity enhancement in agriculture, horticulture and animal husbandry, development of enterprise and employment generation in agriculture sector, community afforestation, preparing plans to link forests with village economy, efforts for mitigating migration, creation of employment opportunities in agriculture sector to tackle unemployment and other issues. Chief secretary N Ravishankar, Additional Chief Secretary S Raju and principal secretary Om Prakash were among those present in the meeting.