Millets, kiwi and dragon fruit will change the fortunes of more than three lakh farmers of the state, Dhami government is encouraging farmers producing millets, kiwi and dragon fruit
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The state government is encouraging farmers to grow cash crops instead of traditional farming. In this sequence, the state cabinet has recently approved the Millets Policy, Kiwi Policy and Dragon Fruit Farming Scheme, in which a total of more than 3 lakh 17 thousand farmers will be benefited.
Under the Uttarakhand State Millets Policy, the state government has approved a total action plan of Rs 134.89 crore for 11 hill districts by 2030-31. In this, farmers producing Mandua, Jhangora, Ramdana, Kauni and China will be given 80 percent subsidy on seeds and bio-fertilizers, along with this, farmers will be given incentives of Rs 4000 per hectare on row sowing and Rs 2000 per hectare on direct sowing for sowing millets. Under the Millet Policy, every year 02 farmers / groups will be awarded for excellent work at the development block level. Also, 01 millet processing unit will be established at each development block level. The target is to benefit more than 3 lakh farmers under the scheme. The government will also establish Shrianna Food Park under this.
Similarly, under the Uttarakhand Kiwi Policy, by the year 2030-31, the state government will provide 70 percent subsidy of the total cost of Rs 12 lakh per acre for setting up kiwi gardens. In which 30 percent will be the share of the beneficiary. This policy will also be applicable in the remaining 11 districts of the state except Haridwar and Udham Singh Nagar. A total action plan of Rs 894 crore has been prepared under the Kiwi Policy, the target is to cover 3500 hectares of area under the policy, in which about 17500 farmers will be benefited. At present, 382 metric tonnes of kiwi is being produced in an area of about 683 hectares of the state. Similarly, under the Dragon Fruit Farming Scheme, dragon fruit production will be promoted through modern/scientific methods in Udham Singh Nagar, Haridwar, Nainital, Bageshwar, Pauri, Dehradun, Tehri. Under the scheme, an amount of Rs 15 crore will be spent by the year 2027-28. Which will benefit 450 farmers. In the proposed scheme, there is a provision of 80 percent subsidy of Rs 8 lakh per acre for setting up the garden and the remaining 20 percent will be borne by the farmer. At present, 70 MT dragon fruit is being produced in about 35 acres of area in the state.
