Shimla, Apr 26: Natural farming is the future of Himachal Pradesh and the state government is actively promoting it, said Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Sunday.
The Chief Minister, who virtually inaugurated and laid foundation stones of development projects worth Rs 34.31 crore at Dr Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry in Solan, emphasised that the university has a vital role in encouraging farmers to adopt natural farming practices.
He informed that more than two lakh farmers associated with natural farming have been registered, out of which around 1.98 lakh have already been issued certificates, a statement issued here said.
Sukhu inaugurated a 107-bed hostel at the College of Horticulture and Forestry, Neri (Hamirpur), constructed at a cost of Rs. 3.63 crore. Additionally, he inaugurated the administrative building of the Krishi Vigyan Kendra at Tabo in Lahaul and Spiti, built at a cost of Rs. 1.48 crore.
The Chief Minister also laid the foundation stones for working women’s hostels with a capacity of 50 each at the College of Horticulture and Forestry, Neri and at the College of Horticulture and Forestry, Khaggal, to be built at a cost of Rs. 8.57 crore and Rs. 8.68 crore respectively in Hamirpur district.
Furthermore, he laid the foundation stone for a working women’s hostel with a capacity of 100 at the main campus of Dr. Y.S. Parmar University at Nauni, Solan, to be constructed at a cost of Rs. 11.95 crore.
Sukhu said that agriculture remains the backbone of the state’s economy, with nearly 90 per cent of the population residing in rural areas and about 53.95 per cent directly dependent on agriculture for their livelihood.
Keeping this in view, the state government is committed to implementing progressive policies and farmer-friendly initiatives to strengthen the rural economy.
