Himachal Chief Minister unveils plans for farmer welfare, green initiatives

Chief Minister Sukhjinder Singh Sukhhu said that the state government is introducing new schemes in the upcoming budget to increase the income of farmers so that positive changes in society’s mindset towards animal husbandry and agriculture can occur. Positive results of these efforts by the state government will be evident in the next 2 years. He said this during his address to dairy producers of the state in a direct dialogue session at Hotel Peterhof in Shimla on Sunday. He also had extensive discussions in an open dialogue session with farmers and other stakeholders, assuring them of incorporating suggestions into the state government’s policies. The Chief Minister also reviewed the Milkfeed exhibition. Upon arrival at the event, Animal Husbandry Secretary Rakesh Kanwar welcomed the Chief Minister, while Milkfeed Managing Director Dr. Vikas Sood presented a vote of thanks. He said that special attention is being given to promoting animal husbandry to bring revolutionary changes in agriculture.

The Green Ganga Scheme has been initiated with a budget provision of 500 crores. The Chief Minister said that the state government has initiated the Green Ganga Scheme from this fiscal year to provide assured income to the dairy farmers based on the cost price for strengthening the state’s dairy-based economy. Additionally, a dairy processing plant with a capacity of 1.50 lakh liters per day will be established in Daghwar, Kangra district, which can be increased up to 3 lakh liters per day. This fully automated plant will incur an estimated cost of 226 crores. The land transfer process for setting up the plant has been completed. He said that the qualities of goat milk and mountain cow milk are also being studied.

Promoting E-vehicles for the state’s goal of green energy. The Chief Minister said that the state government aims to develop Himachal as a green energy state by March 31, 2026. Dependence on diesel and petrol vehicles is being reduced and E-vehicles are being promoted. In the second phase of the Rajiv Gandhi Self-Employment Start-up Scheme, unutilized land of farmers will be used for solar energy production to strengthen rural economy. Through this scheme, unemployed youth will be able to set up solar energy projects of 100, 200, 500 kilowatts on their land and the state government will ensure assured income for them for 25 years by purchasing electricity from them. He said that the state government aims to bring the economy on track by 2027 and make the state the most prosperous in the country by 2032. On this occasion, Chief Minister’s Chief Adviser (Media) Naresh Chauhan, Chief Minister’s Chief Adviser Ram Subhag Singh, Congress leader Chet Ram Thakur, DC Anupam Kashyap, SP Sanjeev Gandhi, Director Information and Public Relations Rajeev Kumar, Director Animal Husbandry Dr. Pradeep Sharma along with other dignitaries were present.