At a time when various problems continue to fuel migration of the people from the mountainous regions, a study of villages in Chamba development block in Tehri district has concluded that the desired development can be achieved without delay by properly marketing the abundant agricultural produce and other resources of the region.
Social worker Trilok Negi, who is coordinating this tour said that in many villages of Chamba; soya bean, potato, tomato, apple and unseasonal vegetables are cultivated in substantial quantities. locally exploiting this produce would help in achieving the desired development especially through setting up of related cottage level industries — a process that has already begun.
The team coordinated by Negi is travelling from village to village in Chamba with an aim to identify ways to facilitate development in the mountains. The team found that in Jugad and Shrikot villages, soya bean is produced in large quantity, but villagers are losing interest in cultivating it due to low price being offered for it in the market.
“In the Nagni region of Henwalghati, tonnes of tomatoes are harvested but farmers are often forced by circumstances to sell their produce to mandis in the plains at cheap prices. However, income of the farmers can be augmented and employment can be generated by setting up processing units to use the tomatoes to make sauce and chutney — for which there is much demand in the market.
In the Chamba-Mussoorie belt, apples and potatoes are produced in large quantities. Several products can be made from the apples like jams and chutneys while potato chips units can also be set up. Bagi, Mathiyan and other villages can be developed as tourist destinations due to the scenic beauty of these locations,” said Negi.