Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said on Sunday said natural farming is the future of Himachal Pradesh and the state government is actively encouraging it. Sukhu 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. He said the university has an important role in motivating farmers to adopt natural farming methods.
He said over two lakh farmers linked with natural farming have been registered in the state. Out of them, nearly 1.98 lakh farmers have already received certification, according to an official statement.
Sukhu inaugurated a 107-bed hostel at the College of Horticulture and Forestry, Neri in Hamirpur district, built at a cost of Rs 3.63 crore. He also inaugurated the administrative building of the Krishi Vigyan Kendra at Tabo in Lahaul and Spiti, constructed at a cost of Rs 1.48 crore.
Sukhu laid foundation stones for working women's hostels with a capacity of 50 each at the College of Horticulture and Forestry, Neri and the College of Horticulture and Forestry, Khaggal. These projects will be built at a cost of Rs 8.57 crore and Rs 8.68 crore respectively in Hamirpur district.
He also laid the foundation stone for a 100-capacity working women's hostel at the main campus of Dr Y.S. Parmar University at Nauni in Solan. The project will be constructed at a cost of Rs 11.95 crore.
Sukhu said agriculture continues to be the backbone of Himachal Pradesh's economy. Nearly 90 per cent of the population lives in rural areas, and about 53.95 per cent people depend directly on agriculture for their livelihood.
Keeping this in mind, he said the state government is focused on implementing progressive policies and farmer-friendly initiatives to strengthen the rural economy.
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