Haridwar: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Saturday inaugurated the ‘Mushroom Village’ developed by MB Foods in the Buggawala area of Haridwar district. He described the initiative as a major step towards increasing farmers’ income, strengthening the rural economy and encouraging innovation in the agricultural sector.
Mushroom Cultivation as a Profitable Enterprise
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister praised the efforts of MB Foods and said that mushroom cultivation is a highly profitable agricultural activity. He noted that it requires less land, less water and less time, while offering better returns compared to traditional crops. Such projects, he said, can help farmers earn additional income and move towards sustainable farming practices.
New Opportunities for Youth and Women
CM Dhami stated that the ‘Mushroom Village’ project would generate new self-employment opportunities for local youth and women. He added that self-help groups would also benefit economically, strengthening community participation in agriculture-based entrepreneurship. He expressed confidence that this model would inspire similar initiatives across other regions of the state.
National Vision for Farmers’ Welfare
Highlighting the central government’s initiatives, the Chief Minister said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is progressing rapidly towards the goal of a ‘Developed India’. He emphasised that the government is working continuously to double farmers’ income through multiple welfare schemes.
Key Central Schemes Supporting Agriculture
CM Dhami informed that under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana, financial assistance is being provided to 11 crore farmers nationwide, including around nine lakh farmers in Uttarakhand. He also mentioned benefits from increased Minimum Support Price (MSP), the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana and the Soil Health Card scheme.
State Government Initiatives for Farmer Empowerment
Speaking about state-level efforts, the Chief Minister said Uttarakhand is fully committed to farmers’ welfare. Under the Farm Machinery Bank Scheme, farmers receive agricultural equipment with up to 80 per cent subsidy, interest-free loans up to ₹3 lakh and free canal irrigation. He added that ₹200 crore has been allocated for polyhouse construction, under which around 350 polyhouses have already been established.
Policies Driving Agricultural Growth
CM Dhami highlighted initiatives such as a ₹20 per quintal bonus on wheat procurement, a ₹30 per quintal increase in sugarcane prices, new Apple and Kiwi policies, the State Millet Mission and the Dragon Fruit Policy. He said these measures are helping agriculture and horticulture reach new heights in Uttarakhand. He also mentioned the ‘Mehak Kranti’, which promotes aromatic crop cultivation and has benefited thousands of farmers.
Promoting Local Produce Through ‘House of Himalayas’
The Chief Minister said the ‘House of Himalayas’ brand is playing a key role in giving Uttarakhand’s local agricultural products national and international recognition. He expressed confidence that such initiatives would make the state self-reliant in agriculture and ensure long-term prosperity for farmers.
Call for Public Participation
Concluding the programme, CM Dhami appealed to the residents of Buggawala and Haridwar to actively support government initiatives. He said that public participation is essential to make Devbhoomi Uttarakhand a leading state in agriculture and overall development.
The programme was attended by Cabinet Minister Ganesh Joshi, MLA Pradeep Batra, the District Magistrate, Senior Superintendent of Police, senior district officials and a large number of local residents.
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