In a bid to help potato and apple growers, especially those from disaster-affected areas, the State Government has decided to buy their produce and resell it to the market. This was decided at a meeting to review the loss in agriculture sector due to natural calamity at Chief Minister residence on Sunday. During the meeting, CM Vijay Bahuguna has instructed them to prepare a plan for agriculture development, especially which are central sponsored.
The Pioneer has consistently been reporting that with roads washed away, apple and potato growers may face a tough time as they would not be able to bring their produce to the market. Now, the State Government has decided to procure these two produce from producers.
To transport the agriculture produce, mule owners, who want to make purchase of mules, will be given grant under national agriculture development plan (NADP). Even the State has decided to expedite the construction of ropeway and seed storage as well.
Chief Minister Bahuguna categorically instructed officials concerned to expedite the procedure of preparation of proposal for agriculture development. He also instructed them to issue an order to the district magistrate to buy agriculture produce from farmers, especially disaster affected areas.
Taking cognizance of media reports that several mule owners, who lost their mule in disaster, he instructed them to give them grant for purchase of mule under NADP. He also stressed to prepare a detail project report (DPR) of ropeway and establish seed centre at Panchayat level. He also asked them to focus on modernisation of dairy and watershed management.
There is a need to find a way out how to establish cold storage in hilly areas so that farmer can save their produce in case of natural calamity. He also expressed hope that departments and institutions will work under better coordination.
Union Government Agriculture Secretary Aashish Bahuguna apprised that the Agriculture Ministry has instructed their institutions to assess the damage due to disaster and also suggest how to mitigate the damage in future. Whichever proposal will come under NADP will be sanctioned as soon as possible. He also assured that ministry would also provide fund apart from conservation of agriculture land.
The meeting was attended by Agriculture Minister Dr Harak Singh Rawat, Disaster Management Minister Yashpal Arya, Union government agriculture Joint Secretary Utpal Kumar Singh, chief secretary Subhash Kumar, Additional chief secretary Rakesh Sharma, Principal Secretary Agriculture Omprakash, Ranbir Singh and other officers.