Himachal Govt to Spend Rs 1,010 crore to Promote Crop Diversification

Virendra Kanwar, the agriculture minister of Himachal Pradesh, announced on Wednesday that the state government will spend Rs 1,010 crore to promote crop diversification and improve farmers' economic conditions.

"A special emphasis is being placed on crop diversification. Rs 1,010 crore will be spent in the state under this project to strengthen farmers' economic conditions," Kanwar said. The minister was in Dharamsala to lay the groundwork for the additional director of agriculture office, which will cost Rs 247 lakh to build.

The minister stated that the Himachal Pradesh government launched the Praakritik Kheti Khushal Kisan Yojana for the benefit of farmers, which has benefited over 1.71 lakh farmers and cost the government Rs 58.46 crore.

He stated that the Mukhyamantri Krishi Utpadan Sanrakshan Yojna includes a subsidy provision for field fencing, anti hail nets, and poly sheets.

Subsidies for horticulture development are also provided through the implementation of the Integrated Horticulture Mission. Kanwar stated that the government has encouraged the cultivation of asafoetida in Kullu and Mandi, as well as saffron in Lahaul.

Furthermore, the environment in the districts of Una, Hamirpur, and Bilaspur has been found to be suitable for cinnamon cultivation, and a target of planting 10 lakh cinnamon saplings in this area has been set. "A Memorandum of Understanding is being signed with IHBT Palampur for this, under which 40,000 cinnamon saplings will be given to farmers every year," he said.