Latest news with #HimachalPradeshRevitalisingRainfedAgricultureNetwork
Hans India
3 hours ago
- Health
- Hans India
Himachal to set up potato processing plant in Una
Shimla: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhwinder Sukhu on Thursday said a potato processing plant would be set up in Una district at a cost of about Rs 20 crore. He said the support price for the crop would soon be declared to strengthen the economy of the farmers. Chairing the state-level multi-stakeholder consultative conference organised by Himachal Pradesh Revitalising Rainfed Agriculture Network here, the Chief Minister said the government was promoting green energy and natural farming in a big way. The minimum support price had been fixed for crops produced from natural farming, and it would be further increased in the coming times. Highlighting the importance of natural farming, he said many new schemes would be implemented to boost the rural economy. Sukhu said that after the north-eastern states, the highest increase in cancer cases had been witnessed in Himachal Pradesh. The efforts were on to find out its root cause, and a change in food habits could also be a main reason for the rise. The Chief Minister said 80 per cent of the state's population depends on agriculture for livelihood and is the backbone of Himachal's economy, contributing about 14 per cent to the state's GDP. He also expressed concern over the changing pattern of weather that was adversely impacting agriculture. 'This challenge could be faced effectively by taking steps like climate-tolerant agriculture, promotion of pulses, extensive animal husbandry, more use of traditional seeds, laying emphasis on water security and soil conservation, etc.,' he said. The Chief Minister said traditional seeds and crops grown through natural farming are rich in nutrition and also require less water. 'We need to reuse such traditional crops, and these have to be further improved through research to ensure nutritious food and a clean environment for future generations.' The Chief Minister also released a book based on the experiences of natural farming on this occasion.
India Today
2 days ago
- Politics
- India Today
Himachal to announce potato support price soon: CM Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu
Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu on Thursday announced that the State Government is committed to bolstering the rural economy by establishing a potato processing plant in Una district at an estimated cost of Rs 20 crore. He added that a support price for potatoes would soon be declared to enhance farmers' at the state-level Multi-Stakeholder Consultative Conference organised by the Himachal Pradesh Revitalising Rainfed Agriculture Network, Sukhu said the government's focus on promoting green energy and natural noted that minimum support prices for naturally farmed crops have been set and will be increased further. New schemes to strengthen the rural economy through natural farming are planned for the coming year. Highlighting health concerns, Sukhu pointed out that Himachal Pradesh has seen a significant rise in cancer cases, second only to north-eastern states. He suggested that changing food habits might be a key factor and stressed the need to investigate the root noted that 80% of the state's population relies on agriculture, which contributes 14% to Himachal's GDP. He expressed concern over changing weather patterns adversely affecting the sector and proposed solutions like climate-resilient agriculture, promotion of pulses, extensive animal husbandry, use of traditional seeds and emphasis on water security and soil highlighted that crops grown through natural farming and traditional seeds are nutrient-rich and require less water, advocating for their revival and improvement through research to ensure nutritious food and a cleaner environment for future Chief Minister also released a book documenting experiences in natural farming and commended farmers adopting this practice. He detailed the government's efforts to promote sustainable Shri Nek Ram Sharma briefed the Chief Minister on the conference, emphasising the importance of millets, water conservation, forests and land management. MLA Harish Janartha, Padma Shri Hariman, agriculture expert Dr. Sabyasachi Das, senior Agriculture Department officials, stakeholders and representatives from the agricultural university attended the event. IN THIS STORY#Himachal Pradesh
