Himachal government strengthening rural economy, boosting farmers' income: Chief Minister Sukhu
Shimla, June 23
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has said the state government is focusing on strengthening the rural economy and enhancing the income of farmers through various initiatives, including support for natural farming and horticulture development.
Chairing a review meeting of the Tribal Development and Horticulture departments, the Chief Minister said the government was making efforts to improve the livelihoods of people residing in rural areas and was providing minimum support prices for naturally grown agricultural produce to promote chemical-free farming in the state.
Sukhu said the government would provide necessary support to the horticulture department and fill vacant posts to ensure effective implementation of welfare schemes and enable farmers to derive maximum benefits.
Reviewing the progress of the HPSHIVA project, the Chief Minister stressed the need for diversification of fruit crops based on the geographical and climatic conditions of different regions of the state.
"Horticulture is the backbone of the economy of the state, and the department should provide comprehensive technical support to horticulturists to enhance productivity and increase their income," he said, according to a release.
The Chief Minister also reviewed schemes being implemented by the Tribal Development Department and directed officials to expedite their implementation so that people living in tribal areas could benefit from them.
According to Sukhu, a total of 636 individual claims and 20 community claims were sanctioned under the Forest Rights Act, 2006, between March 2023 and March 2026. He said 2,259.24 hectares of land had been transferred for the settlement of these claims.
The Chief Minister further reviewed the functioning of Eklavya Aadarsh Residential Schools at Nichar, Pangi, Bharmour and Lahaul and directed officials to ensure the best possible facilities for students studying in these institutions.
Officials informed the meeting that 1,013 students are currently enrolled in the four residential schools.
— ANI
Reader Comments
2,259 hectares of land transferred under Forest Rights Act is impressive. Tribal communities in Lahaul and Spiti have been waiting for this for years. But implementation on ground is key - hope it's not just numbers on paper. The Eklavya schools with 1,013 students is good progress for remote areas.
Finally some attention to horticulture diversification! We can't rely only on apples anymore - kiwi, pomegranate, and stone fruits are doing well in lower Himachal. But farmers need proper training and market linkages, not just technical support. The government should also work on cold storage facilities.
As someone who's visited Himachal many times, I'm glad to see focus on tribal development. The remote villages in Kinnaur and Spiti need better infrastructure. Hope the Eklavya schools deliver quality education - that's the real game changer for these communities.
All good intentions but I wish they'd also address the issue of stray animals destroying crops. Natural farming is great but without proper fencing and compensation for crop damage, farmers will hesitate to adopt it. Hope the next review covers this too.
Good initiative but we need to see concrete results. MSP for natural produce is a welcome step, but how many farmers are actually getting it? Also, fruit crop diversification is a long-term game - hope the government stays committed beyond election cycles. Himachal's rural economy deserves sustained focus.
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