Shimla: Drive to register farmers keen to sell naturally grown products
A one month-long special drive is being undertaken by the Agriculture Department to register the farmers keen to sell their naturally grown crops. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has instructed the department to undertake registration in each Assembly constituency on a mission mode to ensure maximum participation. The special drive commenced here today.
An official spokesperson said this campaign would conclude on June 15 and following the campaign the budgetary provision will be made by the state government. He said camps would be organised by the department to facilitate the interested farmers and register them under the scheme. The department has instructed the block-level officers to assist the farmers and address their queries related to the campaign.
He said the state government has undertaken an initiative to offer minimum support price for the naturally grown wheat, maize, raw turmeric and barley. The state government has increased the minimum support price (MSP) for naturally grown wheat from Rs 40 to Rs 60 per kg and for maize from Rs 30 to Rs 40 per kg.
Additionally, the MSP for naturally grown raw turmeric has been fixed at Rs 90 per kg and for barley from the Pangi block of Chamba district is Rs 60 per kg.
The spokesperson said the Chief Minister has laid a special focus to bolster the rural economy by offering MSP to the naturally grown farm produce. The MSP offered is the highest in the country.
Additionally, to benefit the thousands of cattle rearers, the state government is also procuring cow milk at Rs 51 per lt while MSP for buffalo milk has been fixed at Rs 61 per lt. He said these progressive measures aimed at encouraging natural farming and supporting livestock farmers were expected to play a crucial role in boosting the rural economy and ensuring suitable livelihoods.
