Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Sunday called on the farming community to adopt our age old traditional cropping pattern as it is devoid of any side effects and was also far more economical.
Addressing a gathering at the CSIR Institute of Himalayan Bio-resource Technology (IHBT) at Palampur in Kangra district, Thakur said due to the excessive use of chemical fertilizers, soil health has taken a hit and it was causing ill effects on our health.
“The government has earmarked Rs 25 crore in the budget for promotion of zero budget natural farming and in addition, the government extending support to the scientists for carrying out research in different fields,” he said.
He said that the government would provide all possible help to the farmers adopting rearing of indigenous breed of cows and is establishing Gau Sadans at district and sub-division level.
In addition, the government has decided to use 15 percent of the offerings from major temples for managing these Gau Sadans. Similarly, Rs one per bottle would be charged from sale of each bottle of liquor for the Gau Sadans, he said.
Thakur said over 70 per cent population of the country lives in rural area with agriculture and allied activities their main avocation. Thus it was not possible to even think of development of the nation without focusing on the development of rural areas. He urged the scientists to ensure that their research reaches the farmers so that they could benefit by adopting latest technologies for increasing their income.
He said that it was the need of the hour to take new initiatives in every field to meet out the challenges of globalization.
Chief Minister launched website Aromatic oils of Himalayas, developed by the Institute.
He also inaugurated Sabbatical Home on the occasion. Besides, Memorandum of Understandings were signed with the Farmers Societies on installation of community distribution units.
Chief Minister also handed over the farmers improved variety of seeds of wild marigold to the farmers.