Strong system will be created to protect interests of potato farmers: Himachal Pradesh Dy CM Agnihotri

Aug 21, 2024

Una (Himachal Pradesh) [India], August 21 : Himachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri said on Wednesday that a robust system would be established to ensure the safe and worry-free sale of potato crops produced by the farmers of Una district.
Agnihotri said that this step will protect the interests of the farmers and safeguard them from any kind of fraud.
Addressing the farmers at a public grievance hearing at Pandoga Village, Himachal Deputy CM said, "The state government has taken solid steps to increase farmers' income. The government has implemented the HIM-UNNATI scheme to promote natural farming, with a budget allocation of Rs 150 crore. Under this scheme, the target is to establish 2,600 agricultural groups involving 50,000 farmers. Naturally grown wheat and maize will be purchased at a minimum support price of Rs 40 and Rs 30 per kilogram respectively, the highest in the country. This initiative will also create new employment opportunities for the youth"
The Deputy Chief Minister also mentioned that Rs 70 crore would be spent on the improvement and expansion of various roads and the construction of bridges in the Haroli Assembly Constituency.
"This includes Rs 11.10 crore for the improvement and expansion of the 9-kilometer road from Pandoga Barrier to Panjawar, Rs 12.25 crore for the Bhadshali to Badhera road on Panjawar-Bathri road, Rs 9.46 crore for the 8.5-kilometer stretch from Panjawar-Bathri to Saloh-Badhera road, Rs 6.50 crore for the 5-kilometer road from Haroli to Palakwah, and Rs 6.05 crore for the 5.5-kilometre long road from Nangal Khurd to Chandpur," he said.
"Additionally, two bridges will be constructed over Chandpur Khad and Haroli Khad for Rs 4.87 crore and Rs 5.75 crore, respectively," he added.
He also mentioned that two culverts are being constructed in Pandoga village for Rs 3 crore for public passage and a police post. Additionally, flood control and protective walls are being built in Pandoga for Rs 2.37 crore, which will directly benefit around 100 families.