Chief Minister Thakur Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu announced that the State Government will soon declare a support price for potatoes to strengthen farmers’ income and rural economy. He also revealed plans to establish a potato processing plant in Una district at an estimated cost of Rs 20 crore.
Chairing the state-level Multi-Stakeholder Consultative Conference organized by the Himachal Pradesh Revitalizing Rainfed Agriculture Network, the Chief Minister highlighted the government’s commitment to promoting green energy and natural farming. “The minimum support price for crops produced through natural farming has already been fixed and will be increased further in the near future,” he said, emphasizing the importance of upcoming schemes to boost rural livelihoods.
Sukhu drew attention to rising cancer cases in Himachal Pradesh, second only to the northeastern states, noting ongoing efforts to identify root causes, including changes in food habits.
Acknowledging that 80 percent of the state’s population depends on agriculture, which contributes about 14 percent to the state GDP, the Chief Minister expressed concern over adverse weather patterns affecting farming. He advocated climate-resilient agriculture practices, including promoting pulses, animal husbandry, traditional seeds, water security, and soil conservation.
He praised traditional crops grown via natural farming for their high nutritional value and low water requirements, urging further research to enhance these crops to ensure nutritious food and a clean environment for future generations.
On the occasion, CM Sukhu also released a book documenting natural farming experiences and lauded the farmers dedicated to this sustainable agricultural practice.
Nurturing Creativity – Keekli Charitable Trust, Shimla
