By Our Staff Reporter
Dehradun, 20 Mar: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami held a review meeting of the Agriculture, Horticulture and Cooperative Departments at the Secretariat here today. Agriculture Minister Ganesh Joshi was also present at the meeting. CM Dhami stressed that special attention be paid to innovation to boost the economy in agriculture and horticulture, alongside strengthening the value chain system to empower and make farmers self-reliant.
Dhami emphasised on the need to promote traditional farming by integrating knowledge and science to enhance farmers’ incomes. He added that the farmers should be encouraged to continue improving in their respective fields in the areas where they are excelling. Efforts by the departments must translate into visible, tangible results. He added that upcoming schemes for the financial year should focus on physical and financial progress, as well as measurable outcomes and outputs, ensuring proper budget utilisation while uplifting livelihoods.
During the review of the Agriculture and Horticulture Department, the CM called for greater innovative measures to strengthen the agricultural economy. He advocated promoting cluster-based farming and expanding millet cultivation across the state. The construction of polyhouses should be accelerated, he directed adding that the Aroma, Apple, and Kiwi Missions should focus on increasing the production of traditional Uttarakhand fruits, such as pear, plum, malta, orange, and peach. Crops resilient to wildlife damage and medicinal plants should also be prioritised. Farmers must be made aware of these opportunities to maximise their production.
While reviewing the Cooperatives Department, Dhami reminded the officials regarding the importance of proper training in the cooperation sector. He said that strengthening the value chain and increasing the Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) are critical steps to boost farmers’ incomes. He stressed that the goal is to link all Gram Sabhas to PACS within five years. Cooperative societies should diversify business activities and implement robust marketing strategies.
It was shared at the meeting that an e-RUPI facility will be launched in early April to provide farmers with quick, secure, and transparent payment options, marking a digital transformation in the agriculture sector. It was claimed that aromatic crops like Damask rose (commonly known as Desi Rose), timru (Zanthoxylum armatum), cinnamon, lemongrass, and mint are being cultivated extensively in the state, and that efforts to expand their area and productivity are underway. ITBP and the Army are arranging the sale of fresh items, offering a stable market for farmers and promoting local products.
Apart from Agriculture Minister Ganesh Joshi, Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) Anand Bardhan, Principal Secretary R Meenakshi Sundaram, Secretaries Shailesh Bagoli, Dilip Jawalkar, SN Pandey, Vinay Shankar Pandey and Ranveer Singh Chauhan, Additional Secretary Sonika, Additional Chief Executive Officer, CPPGG, Manoj Pant, and other departmental officials were among those who attended the meeting.
