Chamoli: On the occasion of the State-level Kisan Diwas in Gauchar, Chamoli, Union Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan and Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami transferred Rs 65.12 crore directly to the accounts of 88,000 farmers under the Weather-Based Crop Insurance Scheme. The event highlighted the governments’ commitment to farmer welfare and agricultural development in the state.
Major Announcements by Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan
During the event, Minister Chauhan made several key announcements to boost agriculture and infrastructure in Uttarakhand:
- Clean Plant Centre: Approval for a Rs 100 crore Clean Plant Centre in Mukteshwar to provide quality saplings of kiwi, apple, malta, and lemon varieties.
- Gherabadi Scheme: An additional Rs 90 crore allocation to prevent crop damage caused by wild animals under the Gherabadi scheme.
- PMGSY-4 Road Projects: Sanctioning of Rs 1,706.94 crore for road construction spanning 1,228.2 km to connect 309 habitations, aimed at improving rural connectivity and supporting agricultural growth.
Minister Chauhan emphasized that the central and state governments are working together to make Uttarakhand a global hub for fruit and vegetable production, including setting up a Centre of Excellence for Kiwi in collaboration with New Zealand.
Read also: CM Pushkar Singh Dhami Highlights Women Entrepreneurship at Manthon-2025 in Uttarakhand
Focus on Integrated and Modern Farming
The minister highlighted the Prime Minister’s vision of integrated farming to maximize production from small farms. He urged farmers to focus on fruits, vegetables, livestock, fishery, and medicinal plants. He also praised Chief Minister Dhami’s initiatives, including women empowerment under the Mukhyamantri Sashakt Bahna Yojana, women’s reservation in government jobs, and block-level Kisan Diwas celebrations.
Chief Minister Dhami Highlights Historic Agricultural Reforms
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami welcomed Minister Chauhan and paid tribute to former Prime Minister Chaudhary Charan Singh, emphasizing the importance of farmers’ welfare for national prosperity.
He highlighted transformative schemes under PM Modi, including:
- Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN)
- Weather-Based Crop Insurance Scheme
- Soil Health Cards
- Natural Farming Initiatives
- Digital Agriculture Programs
Nearly 9 lakh farmers in Uttarakhand have benefited from these schemes. CM Dhami also detailed state-level initiatives:
- Interest-free loans up to Rs 3 lakh for farmers
- Farm machinery subsidy of up to 80%
- Free irrigation through canals
- Bonus on wheat and sugarcane
- Rs 200 crore provision for polyhouse construction
Additionally, a Rs 1,000 crore “Uttarakhand Climate Responsive Rainfed Farming Project” has been approved, alongside policies promoting millet, kiwi, and dragon fruit cultivation with a total cost of Rs 1,200 crore.
Boosting Horticulture and Allied Sectors
The state government is running the “Uttarakhand Integrated Horticulture Development Project”, supported by Japan, with a budget of Rs 526 crore. This project has led to notable growth in horticulture, mushroom cultivation, honey production, tea, and aromatic crops in the state. CM Dhami encouraged farmers to adopt modern agricultural techniques and fully utilize government schemes to contribute to “Viksit Bharat Sankalp 2047”.
Commitment to Farmer Welfare and Monthly Kisan Diwas
Minister Ganesh Joshi praised the state government for its dedicated efforts toward farmers’ welfare and economic upliftment. He announced that Kisan Diwas will be celebrated every second Thursday of the month to address farmers’ issues and provide timely solutions.
During the event, Secretary Agriculture Dr. S.N. Pandey shared details of departmental schemes and programs. The program was attended by key officials and dignitaries, including MLAs Anil Nautiyal and Bhupal Ram Tamta, District Panchayat Chairman Daulat Singh Bisht, BJP District President Gajpal Bartwal, Gauchar Municipal Chairperson Sandeep Negi, and several other senior officials and community leaders.
