Himachal to adopt organic farming in a big way: CM

Dharamsala, January 29, 2018: While presiding over a function pertaining to Zero Budget Natural farming at Chaudhary Sarvan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalay Palampur Chief Minister , Jai Ram Thakur said that the university was well known for the need based research in field of agriculture and Veterinary and Animal sciences in the state.

CM and governor Himachal Pradesh Aacharya Devvrat presided over a function pertaining to Zero Budget Natural Organic Farming at Agriculture University Palampur today.CM said," Himachal to adopt Organic farming in big way, "said CM.
CM Jairamthakur while addressing the function at CSK university in Palampur said that Himachal has to equate and surpass the Sikkim state in Organic farming to double the income of our farmers. He Launched Zero Budget Natural Farming project.
He said that with 13 research stations and eight Krishi vigyan kendras located in different parts of the state, the University was catering to basic needs of the farmers after thorough training thus assisting the agriculturalists to improve their economy.

The Chief Minister said that the socio-economic studies on various aspects of research and development should be kept in mind by policy makers while framing policies.

As 90 percent of our population was dependant on Agriculture and i believe that the agriculture programmes directly associated with farmers should be pushed in a big way and not be delayed. With launching of this pilot project, I believe that the Farming community will benefit a lot from this organic Zero Budget Natural Farming project, said Chief Minister.

Referring to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Chief Minister said that we have to follow his vision so that by the year 2022 the agriculture produce and income of the farmers of Himachal Pradesh may increase doublefold. Though the task seems to be little difficult yet we are determined to achieve it in a big way.

He lauded the efforts of Sikkim state for taking lead in organic farming and said that we have to equate with Sikkim in adopting organic farming in a big way and to use manure instead of insecticide and pesticides.

He also reiterated his resolve to root out corruption from the state and mafia of all types.

The Chief Minister assured to redress the grievances and problems being faces by the University.

Agriculture Minister Ram Lal Markanda while thanking the governor said that it was a great opportunity to discuss Zero Budget Natural Farming technology and efforts are being made to revive it in the state. He said that as of today 523 metric tonne (2015-16) pescticide and insecticide was being used by the farmers which was detrimental to the health causing fatal diseases. He said that the states like Sikkim and Bhutan have adopted organic farming in a big way and we need to study their model.

The Minister also stressed for e-marketing of farming produce and directed the scientists to form whattsapp groups for sharing details of Research.

The Chief Minister accompanied Governor, Acharaya Devvrat for laying foundation stone of zero budget Natural farming centre in the campus besides inauguration of Animal Disease Investigation and Research Laboratory in College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (COVAS).

Earlier, Prof. Ashok Kumar Saryal, Vice Chancellor of CSK Agriculture University welcomed the Governor, Chief Minister and other dignitaries present on the occasion. He also detailed about the different new projects undertaken in the university for agricultural purpose besides gave a detailed account of Zero Budget Natural Farming.

Present on the occasion were Food and Civil Supply Minister, Kishan Kapoor, Urban Development Minister, Sarveen Chaudhary, Agriculture Minister, Ram Lal Markanda, Health Minister, Vipin Parmar, Industries Minister, Vikram Singh. MLAs, Ashish Butail, Bikram Jariyal, Mulk Raj Premi, Ravi Dhiman were also present on the occasion amongst others.