Uttarakhand: Shivraj Singh Chouhan, CM Dhami inaugurate Khet Bachao Abhiyan; Rs 369 crore projects unveiled in Rudrapur
Udham Singh Nagar, June 26
The 'Khet Bachao Abhiyan', organised by the Agriculture Department at Gandhi Maidan in Rudrapur, was inaugurated on Friday.
The campaign was inaugurated by Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, Agriculture and Cabinet Minister Ganesh Joshi and District In-charge Minister, as well as Transport and Information Technology Minister Pradeep Batra, by lighting the ceremonial lamp.
On the occasion, nine development projects worth Rs 46.32 crore were inaugurated, while foundation stones were laid for 32 development projects worth Rs 323.34 crore, taking the total value of inaugurated and newly launched projects to Rs 369.66 crore.
Speaking to ANI, Chouhan said that Uttarakhand is witnessing rapid development under the leadership of Chief Minister Dhami and with the guidance of the Prime Minister, adding that significant progress has been made in the agriculture sector with a focus on diversification alongside traditional farming.
He further said that efforts are underway to transform the state into a horticulture hub and added that Centres of Excellence will be established in Uttarakhand in collaboration with New Zealand and the Netherlands.
"... Under the leadership of Pushkar Dhami and with the blessings and guidance of the Prime Minister, the ongoing development work is propelling Uttarakhand rapidly along the path of progress. Remarkable work has also been accomplished in the agricultural sector recently, particularly through the diversification of farming alongside traditional practices. Efforts are underway to transform the state into a horticulture hub... Centers of Excellence will be set up here in collaboration with New Zealand and the Netherlands," Chouhan said.
Further, the two-day Alumni Meet at Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology (GBPUAT), Pantnagar, was also inaugurated by Chouhan, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Dhami, and Cabinet Minister Ganesh Joshi by lighting the ceremonial lamp.
Addressing the gathering, Chouhan described GBPUAT as a prestigious institution that has played a historic role in shaping Indian agriculture by producing eminent scientists, policymakers, agricultural entrepreneurs and skilled professionals who have significantly contributed to the country's agricultural and rural economy.
He added that under the guidance of the Prime Minister and the leadership of Chief Minister Dhami, Uttarakhand is steadily emerging as not only the spiritual capital of India but also of the world.
— ANI
Reader Comments
The collaboration with New Zealand and Netherlands for Centres of Excellence is exciting! India can learn a lot from their advanced horticulture techniques. But we need to ensure these centres are accessible to small farmers, not just big corporates. Also, diversification is great, but traditional crops like basmati rice should not be neglected—they are our identity. 🌾
Good to see Union Minister Chouhan and CM Dhami together. Pushkar Dhami is doing commendable work in Uttarakhand, especially in infrastructure. But I have one concern: these big projects often forget the small farmers. The Khet Bachao Abhiyan should include strict action against land mafias who are converting fertile land into real estate. Otherwise, it's just another photo op.
As someone who follows Indian agriculture policies, this seems promising. The emphasis on horticulture and international collaboration is smart. But I wonder about the timeline—these Centres of Excellence often take years to show results. Also, will the state government provide subsidies for equipment and seeds? Farmers need immediate relief, not just long-term plans.
BJP ka typical election style—bade-bade announcements but ground reality different. ₹369 crore sounds massive, but let's check how much reaches actual farmers. My relative in Udham Singh Nagar says compensation for crop damage by elephants is still pending from last year. Khet Bachao Abhiyan should first clear pending dues before new launches.
This is a balanced step. The alumni meet at Pantnagar University is a smart way to leverage expertise.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.