The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Himachal Pradesh government for the direct procurement of locally produced vegetables, fruits, milk, paneer, meat, trout fish and other agricultural products.
Under the proposed arrangement, the ITBP will purchase produce directly from farmers, cooperative societies and local producers across the state. The initiative aims to offer farmers with a dependable market close to their homes, helping increase their income while reducing dependence on middlemen. It is also likely to create new livelihood opportunities for farmers, horticulturists and rural communities living in border areas and support balanced regional growth.
Officials said the move would strengthen self-reliance in border regions by ensuring assured procurement and better price realisation for farmers. Direct market access is likely to encourage sustained agricultural activity and generate employment opportunities in rural households.
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu held a comprehensive meeting with senior ITBP officials, including Northern Frontier Commander IG Manu Maharaj and Sector Commander DIG Pawan Kumar Negi, on Monday evening to finalise the framework of the collaboration.
During the meeting, Sukhu said the initiative would open avenues for self-employment and help strengthen the rural economy, particularly in remote and strategically important border villages. He reiterated the State government’s focus on improving livelihoods in rural and tribal regions.
Highlighting the mutual benefits, Sukhu said the ITBP would receive fresh and locally sourced food supplies, while farmers would gain a stable and assured market near their villages.
He added that the initiative would promote local produce, boost economic activity in border areas and help create long-term and sustainable livelihood opportunities for rural communities.
The initiative is also expected to support infrastructure development and contribute to improved border management by strengthening local economic systems.
IG Manu Maharaj informed that a similar procurement model has already been implemented successfully in Uttarakhand with encouraging results. Expressing confidence in its success in Himachal Pradesh, he said the programme would greatly benefit residents of border areas. Talks were also held on electrification of Border Out Posts (BOPs) under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) to improve basic infrastructure in remote areas.
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