Horticulture can help state check migration

Tribune News Service

Haridwar, August 11

Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh that have geographical, ecological and social similarities are facing the problems of unemployment and migration from hilly areas. These can be solved by focusing on agriculture, horticulture, floriculture, animal husbandry, goat farming, cultivation of local crops and mushroom and providing advanced techniques, equipment and expertise to farmers.

NGO Nari Shakti Kunj made these suggestions based on a survey done in various districts of both hill states. President of the Nari Shakti Matra Anchal Monika Sharma, while speaking with mediapersons, said mass exodus from hilly regions was a cause for concern and needs immediate attention of the Central and state governments.

Providing agriculture-related employment avenues to local people was the best way to check migration, for which not only traditional but also agriculture-related avenues need to be propagated and explored in hilly districts.

Monika said still a substantial number of farmers in hill districts were using traditional methods in agriculture that yields less output. If advanced farm techniques and avenues were provided to them their lives could change drastically, he added.