Turmeric Man of Himachal Pradesh

What’s in News?

On Wednesday, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu marked the completion of two years of the Congress government by launching six innovative schemes aimed at bolstering the rural economy, promoting natural farming, empowering vulnerable families, and enhancing horticulture in the state. The event, held at Luhnu Ground, Bilaspur, also witnessed the distribution of financial assistance to beneficiaries.

The Six New Schemes Launched

1. "Him Bhog Atta" and Support for Natural Farming

• Objective: Promote natural farming and improve farmers’ earnings.
• Key Features:
  • Introduction of "Him Bhog Atta," made from maize grown via natural farming methods.
  • 398 metric tonnes of maize procured from 1,506 farmers across 10 districts.
  • Direct transfer of Rs 1.20 crore to farmers' accounts.
  • Himachal Pradesh offers the highest support price for wheat (Rs 40/kg) and maize (Rs 30/kg).
  • 1.98 lakh farmers engaged in natural farming across 35,000 hectares.
  • Rajiv Gandhi Natural Farming Start-up Scheme integrated 36,000 new farmers this year under a Rs 680-crore initiative.

2. Organic and Vermicompost Procurement Scheme

• Objective: Support small farmers and livestock owners while fulfilling a Congress manifesto promise.
• Key Features:
  • Government to purchase organic and vermicompost at Rs 300 per quintal.
  • Rs 1 lakh distributed to 100 farmers through direct benefit transfer (DBT).
  • Aims to boost rural incomes and strengthen the rural economy.

3. Rajiv Gandhi Self-Employment Start-up Scheme for E-Taxis

• Objective: Promote green energy and ensure stable incomes for e-taxi owners.
• Key Features:
  • 16 beneficiaries received keys to e-taxis with a 50% subsidy on purchase.
  • Vehicles leased to government offices for five years, ensuring steady monthly income.
  • First phase to provide 150 permits to e-taxi owners.

4. Indira Gandhi Sukh Shiksha Yojana

• Objective: Support children’s education and the well-being of vulnerable families.
• Key Features:
  • Rs 1.38 crore distributed to 5,145 beneficiaries.
  • Focus on widows, destitute women, divorced women, and disabled parents.
  • Financial assistance of Rs 1,000 per month for children under 18 years.
  • Additional support for higher education expenses.
  • Annual budget allocation of Rs 53.21 crore to prevent child exploitation and foster a supportive environment.

5. Himachal Pradesh Subtropical Horticulture, Irrigation and Value Addition Project (HP Shiva)

• Objective: Expand horticulture in subtropical regions and benefit farming families.
• Key Features:
  • Rs 1,292 crore initiative to develop horticulture across seven districts.
  • Coverage of 6,000 hectares for cultivating fruits like oranges, guavas, litchis, and plums.
  • Direct benefit to 15,000 farming families.
  • Projected production of 1.3 lakh metric tonnes of fruit annually by 2032, with an estimated market value of Rs 400 crore.

6. Financial Assistance to Farmers under Various Schemes

• Objective: Empower farmers with financial aid and secure livelihoods.
• Key Features:
  • Financial support distributed to farmers across multiple initiatives.
  • Focused on promoting sustainable agricultural practices and rural development.

Conclusion

The launch of these six schemes reflects the Himachal Pradesh government’s commitment to fostering economic growth, environmental sustainability, and social welfare. By addressing the needs of farmers, vulnerable families, and entrepreneurs, the initiatives aim to create a robust framework for rural prosperity and self-reliance in the state.