Govt mulls 9 per cent farm growth in two years: CM

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 13

The government has planned to achieve an agriculture growth rate of nine per cent in the next two years. The present agriculture growth rate in the state is at five per cent.

Chief Minister Harish Rawat stated this today while inaugurating the ‘Harela-Ghee Sangrand’ Mahotsava at the Rangers College Ground here. He said the state was witnessing a speedy agriculture growth rate and farmers were playing an important role in its development.

Rawat said the government was giving priority to modern farming in Haridwar and Udham Singh Nagar districts. The state government was exploring new prospects in traditional and organic farming in Uttarakhand. Cluster-based farming was being promoted as a substitute to scattered farming.

“Plantation of herbs is also being promoted. The arrears of sugarcane farmers have been paid. The government is also providing bonuse for traditional crops, milk production, plantation of trees and water conservation,” he said.

He added the Forest Department had made 1,000 “Chal Khal” while the Irrigation Department had made three large reservoirs and in the process of making 100 more.

He expressed gratitude to ‘Dhaad organisation’ for its cooperation in organising the Harela festival. He honoured progressive and organic farmers on the occasion.