New schemes will come in the upcoming budget to increase farmers’ income : Sukhu
Chief Minister Thakur Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu today interacted with the milk producers of the state at Hotel Peterhof in Shimla. He said that the government is promoting agriculture as an industry so that farmers can be made capable and self-reliant. He said that our state is dependent on rural economy, in which agriculture and milk production play an important role. The state government is bringing new schemes in the upcoming budget to increase the income of farmers, so that there can be a positive change in the thinking of the society regarding animal husbandry and agriculture. These efforts of the state government will yield positive results in the next two years.
The Chief Minister said that the future of farmers lies in natural farming, in which the role of animal husbandry is important because there is a direct relationship between agriculture and milk production. He said that fundamental changes are being made in policies and rules to ensure that money reaches the hands of farmers. The present state government is moving towards strengthening the rural economy with public cooperation and in view of the revolutionary change in agriculture, the focus is especially on promoting animal husbandry. He said that the increase of six rupees in the price of milk purchase is an assurance from the state government to the cattle farmers of fixed income and this will encourage them for milk production. He said that the government will also consider giving tax concessions to milk producers.
Thakur Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu said that the quality of milk is better in Himachal and by improving it further and linking it with better marketing system, the income of farmers can be increased beyond hope. With this perspective, the government is now providing incentives to adopt agriculture as employment. He said that till date he has not thought about this seriously. He said, “I want to make you self-reliant, so that farmers can increase their sources of income while sitting at home.” The state government is taking effective steps to protect farmers from exploitation and to provide them fair value for their hard work. These efforts will help in strengthening the rural economy. Himachal Pradesh will become self-reliant only when the income of the village people increases. For this we will have to take old traditions and new technology together.”
The Chief Minister said that in order to strengthen the milk-based economy of the state, the state government has started ‘Him Ganga Yojana’ from this financial year to give milk purchase price on the basis of cost price, for which Rs 500 crore has been allocated. Budget provision has been made. Along with this, a milk processing plant with a capacity of 1 lakh 50 thousand liters per day will be established in Dhagwar in Kangra district, whose capacity can be increased to 3 lakh liters per day. This plant will be completely automated on which an estimated Rs 226 crore will be spent. The process of land transfer for setting up the plant has been completed. He said that the properties of goat milk and mountain cow milk are also being studied.
He said that the state government has set a target to develop Himachal as a green energy state by March 31, 2026. Dependence on diesel and petrol vehicles is being reduced and e-vehicles are being promoted. In the second phase of Rajiv Gandhi Self-Employment Start Up Scheme, unused land of farmers will be used in solar energy production to strengthen the rural economy. Through this scheme, unemployed youth will be able to set up solar energy projects of 100, 200, 500 kilowatts on their land and the state government will ensure fixed income to them by purchasing electricity from them for 25 years. He said that the state government has set a target of bringing the economy back on track by the year 2027 and making it the most prosperous state of the country by the year 2032.
The Chief Minister also held extensive discussions with the farmers in an open dialogue session and assured to incorporate the suggestions received from the farmers and other stakeholders in the policy of the state government.
Before this, the Chief Minister also visited the exhibition of MILKFED.
On reaching the programme, Secretary Agriculture, Rakesh Kanwar welcomed the Chief Minister, while Managing Director of MILKFED, Dr. Vikas Sood presented the vote of thanks.
On this occasion, Principal Advisor to the Chief Minister (Media) Naresh Chauhan, Principal Advisor to the Chief Minister Ram Subhag Singh, Congress leader Chet Ram Thakur, Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap, Superintendent of Police Sanjeev Gandhi, Director Information and Public Relations Rajeev Kumar, Director Animal Husbandry Dr. Pradeep. Sharma and other dignitaries were present.
