Rs.1010 crores will be spent under Zaika project in state: Kanwar

Dharamsala, September 14, 2022: Agriculture Minister Virendra Kanwar said, “Special emphasis is being laid on diversification of crops, Rs 1010 crore will be spent under this project in the state, so that the economic condition of the farmers can be strengthened.”

Agriculture Minister Virendra Kanwar today laid the foundation stone of an additional building of the Additional Director of Agriculture office to be constructed at a cost of Rs 247 lakh in Dharamsala. 

Minister said that for the welfare of farmers, the Himachal Government has started Praakritik Kheti Khushal Kisan Yojana, under which more than 1.71 lakh farmers have been benefited and the government has spent Rs 58 crore 46 lakhs on this scheme.

He said that under Mukhyamantri Krishi Utpadan Sanrakshan Yojna, provision of subsidy has been made for fencing of fields, anti-hail nets and poly sheets. Subsidy is also being given for horticulture development through the implementation of Integrated Horticulture Mission.
 
Virendra Kanwar said that the present state government has promoted asafoetida cultivation in Kullu and Mandi and saffron cultivation in Lahaul. Apart from this, the environment of Una, Hamirpur and Bilaspur districts has been found suitable for cultivation of cinnamon and a target has been set to plant 10 lakh cinnamon saplings in this area. “For this, an MoU is being signed with IHBT Palampur under which 40 thousand Cinnamon saplings will be given to the farmers every year,” said the Minister.