Uttarakhand CM Dhami launches "Khet Bachao Abhiyan" to boost agricultural growth
Almora, June 6
In a significant push to safeguard the future of agriculture against the impacts of climate change, a grand state-level "Save the Fields Campaign" was held at Hawalbagh on Saturday, according to an official statement released by the Chief Minister's Office.
The event focused on enhancing soil fertility, promoting traditional coarse grains, and equipping farmers with the knowledge to navigate evolving environmental challenges.
Special emphasis was laid on the conservation and increased production of traditional coarse grains such as finger millet (Mandua), barnyard millet (Jhangora), amaranth (Chaulai), and other indigenous crops.
As per the statement, addressing the gathering as the Chief Guest, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami remarked that the "Save the Fields Campaign" has evolved beyond a government initiative and has now become a people's movement driven by public participation. He urged farmers to take a pledge to protect their agricultural land, soil, and natural resources.
The Chief Minister said that soil is not merely a piece of land but is revered like a mother. Therefore, preserving soil fertility and keeping farmlands free from harmful chemicals as much as possible is essential. He emphasised that it is the collective responsibility of society to leave behind a healthy and sustainable agricultural system for future generations and also stated that the government has made a budgetary provision of Rs 200 crore to enhance farmers' income, as per the release.
He appealed to farmers to regularly test their soil, use water judiciously, and adopt scientific farming practices based on expert advice and research. He even stressed that crop selection should be aligned with changing climatic and weather conditions.
The release also highlighted the importance of balancing environmental conservation and economic growth, with the Chief Minister saying that ecology and economy complement each other and must progress together. Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "Mann Ki Baat" programme, he urged people to draw inspiration from individuals doing exemplary work in the conservation of water, forests, land, and nature.
The Chief Minister stated that the state government is continuously working for the prosperity of farmers. Several schemes have been launched in the horticulture sector to increase farmers' income, including initiatives promoting polyhouses, fruit cultivation, cold storage facilities, mega food parks, and aromatic crops, according to the statement released.
At present, aromatic crop cultivation is being encouraged across nearly 23,000 hectares in the state. Special efforts are also being made to promote millets and other coarse grains. He added that benefits under government schemes are being transferred directly to farmers through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), eliminating the role of middlemen.
According to the CMO release, the Chief Minister further stated that Uttarakhand's emergence among the leading states in terms of growth in farmers' income reflects the success of the government's policies.
He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the government believes not merely in making promises but in delivering results on the ground. He once again called upon farmers to undertake soil testing and adopt sustainable agricultural practices.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Good initiative, but Rs 200 crore budget for enhancing farmers' income - is that enough given the scale of challenges? Many small farmers in Uttarakhand are still struggling with land fragmentation, lack of irrigation, and market access. Soil testing and sustainable practices are important, but we also need better MSP, cold storage chains, and fair prices for hill produce. Hope the government considers these ground realities.
Interesting to see an Indian state government focusing on climate-resilient agriculture. As someone who works in sustainable farming practices, I'm particularly impressed with the emphasis on indigenous crops like amaranth and finger millet - these are nutrient-dense and require less water. The DBT direct transfer concept also seems promising to reduce corruption. Would love to see more data on water conservation techniques being promoted. 🌱
Yay for millets! My grandmother always told me how Mandua roti was the staple in our village and how healthy it was. Bringing back coarse grains is not just about climate change, it's about preserving our food heritage. Also appreciate the mention of aromatic crop cultivation across 23,000 hectares - lavender and rosemary farming in the hills could really boost tourism and income. Well done, CM Dhami! 👏
While I appreciate the effort, let's not forget that similar campaigns were launched in the past with limited success. Will farmers actually shift to millets when they earn more from cash crops like potatoes or rajma? The government must ensure better market linkages and processing units for these traditional grains. Also, polyhouses and fruit cultivation are great but require significant investment - small farmers need subsidies to afford them.
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