Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 1 Apr: A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and the Uttarakhand Horticulture Council to ensure the supply of local produce (fresh fruits and vegetables) to the ITBP battalions deployed in Uttarakhand under the “Vibrant Village Programne” at the Chief Minister’s residence on Wednesday in the presence of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami.
Chief Minister Dhami described this MoU between the Uttarakhand Horticulture Council and the ITBP as an important step towards the overall development of the state’s farmers, local producers, and border areas.
The Chief Minister said that this agreement will ensure the supply of fresh fruits and vegetables locally to the ITBP personnel deployed in the state. This will ensure quality and nutritious food for the soldiers, while ensuring fair prices for the state’s farmers.
The Chief Minister stated that this initiative will strengthen the state government’s commitment to “promote local products” and provide farmers with a strong and sustainable platform for marketing their produce. This arrangement will ensure the supply of local products to remote and border areas like Chamoli, Uttarkashi, Pithoragarh, and Champawat, as well as Dehradun.
The Chief Minister stated that this agreement will help strengthen the economic condition of farmers in border areas and alleviate the difficulties they face in accessing markets. He stated that the state government is fully committed to protecting the interests of farmers and the welfare of our soldiers. This agreement will prove beneficial for both parties.
An agreement has previously been signed between the Uttarakhand government and the ITBP for the purchase of local products under the Vibrant Village Programme, which has yielded significant results. To date, the ITBP has purchased local products worth Rs 14.77 crore, and efforts are underway to further increase this amount. ITBP also purchases 25 percent of the annual demand of fruits and vegetables in Uttarakhand, which will generate an income of approximately Rs 6 crore for local farmers.
Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Ganesh Joshi, Agriculture Secretary SN Pandey, IG ITBP Manu Maharaj, Additional Secretary Anand Srivastava, Director, Horticulture, SL Semwal, Chief Executive Officer, Uttarakhand Horticulture Council, Narendra Kumar Yadav and other ITBP officials were present on this occasion.
