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Rs 100 Cr Clean Plant Scheme & Rs 1700 Cr Roads for Uttarakhand Farms

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced major central initiatives for Uttarakhand at a farmers' conference in Gauchar. A Rs 100 crore Clean Plant Centre will be established to produce disease-free fruit saplings, including through a kiwi Centre of Excellence in collaboration with New Zealand. The minister also detailed a Rs 1700 crore allocation for rural roads, over Rs 65 crore in crop damage compensation, and a new integrated farming model for small landholders. Further, he launched the VB-G RAM G scheme, a revamped rural employment mission with a doubled budget, and reaffirmed support for the Lakhpati Didi women's empowerment campaign.

Key Points: Central Agri Schemes: Clean Plants, Rural Roads for Uttarakhand

  • Rs 100 cr Clean Plant Centre
  • Rs 1700 cr for rural roads
  • Integrated farming model for smallholders
  • New VB-G RAM G rural employment scheme
2 min read

Agriculture Minister highlights Rs 100 cr clean plant scheme, Rs 1700 cr rural roads fund for Uttarakhand

Union Minister announces Rs 100 cr Clean Plant Programme, Rs 1700 cr for rural roads, and new farming models to boost Uttarakhand's agriculture and rural economy.

"aiming to make Uttarakhand the horticulture capital of India - Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan"

Dehradun, Dec 29

Union Minister of Agriculture, Farmers Welfare and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Monday emphasised Central support and highlighted that a series of major initiatives have been started for Uttarakhand, including a Rs 100 crore Clean Plant Programme, Rs 1700 crore allocation for rural roads, and over Rs 65 crore compensation for crop damage.

Speaking at a state-level farmers' conference in Gauchar, Chamoli district, attended by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, State Agriculture Minister Ganesh Joshi, local MPs, MLAs and thousands of farmers, Chouhan outlined measures to transform the state's agriculture and rural economy.

A modern Clean Plant Centre will be set up at ICAR-CITH Mukteshwar to produce millions of disease-free saplings of kiwi, apple, malta and citrus fruits, solving the long-standing problem of poor-quality planting material from nurseries. In collaboration with New Zealand, a Centre of Excellence for kiwi cultivation will be established, aiming to make Uttarakhand the horticulture capital of India.

Chouhan also announced the development of an integrated farming model suited to small landholders, combining crops, fruits, vegetables, medicinal and aromatic plants, animal husbandry and fisheries. This approach, in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision, will help farmers harness the state's unique herbs to significantly increase their income.

A team of scientists, officers and experts will prepare a five-year agricultural roadmap for Uttarakhand through consultations with progressive farmers and local stakeholders.

The minister noted that the state already leads the country in the growth of farmer income and emphasised the need to further accelerate this progress.

He praised farmers for their hard work on terraced fields and confirmed that more than Rs 65 crore has been transferred directly to the accounts of those affected by weather-related crop losses.

Describing the newly launched Viksit Bharat - Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin), or VB-G RAM G scheme, as a lifeline for rural India, Chouhan said it addresses the flaws of MNREGA by providing 100-125 days of employment guarantee, unemployment allowance, interest on delayed wages, and greater transparency through Gram Sabha decisions and linkage with PM Gati Shakti and and a doubled budget of Rs 1,51,282 crore from earlier Rs 88000 crore.

Work will be paused for 60 days during peak farming season. Additionally, Rs 1700 crore has been released for rural road connectivity in Uttarakhand, he said.

Chouhan reaffirmed the Centre's commitment to women's empowerment through the Lakhpati Didi Abhiyan, highlighting that 43,000 women have already become millionaires this year.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Rs 1700 crore for rural roads is the real game-changer. Better connectivity means farmers can get their produce to markets faster and at lower cost. The integrated farming model also sounds practical for small landholdings. Let's see it implemented on the ground.
A
Aman W
While the schemes sound excellent, my respectful criticism is about the compensation. Rs 65 crore for crop damage is good, but was it timely? Often, announcements are made but funds get delayed, causing immense hardship. Transparency in direct benefit transfer is key.
S
Sarah B
The collaboration with New Zealand for kiwi cultivation is a smart move. Leveraging global expertise can help our farmers adopt best practices. Making Uttarakhand a horticulture capital is an ambitious but achievable vision if supported properly.
K
Karthik V
Lakhpati Didi Abhiyan is the most inspiring part! 43,000 women becoming millionaires shows the power of empowering rural women. When women earn, the whole family benefits. This is real development. đź’Ş
V
Vikram M
The VB-G RAM G scheme addressing MNREGA flaws is a big deal. Guaranteeing 100-125 days of work with unemployment allowance is a strong safety net. Pausing work during peak farming season shows they understand the farmer's calendar. Good thinking.

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