HPAS/Allied Mains 2022 Answer Writing Challenge Day 238: Model Answer

Question: What initiatives have been taken by the Himachal Pradesh government for the diversification in Agriculture and allied activities? (8 marks/120 words)

Answer:

Himachal Pradesh is the only State in the country where 89.96 per cent of the population (Census 2011) lives in rural areas. Agriculture/ Horticulture provide direct employment to about 70 per cent of total workers of the State.

The various initiatives taken by the Himachal Pradesh government the diversification in Agriculture and allied activities are as follows:

1. High Yielding Varieties programme (H.Y.V.P): To increase production of foodgrains, emphasis has been laid on distribution of seeds of high yielding varieties to the farmers. There are 3 Vegetable Development Stations, 12 Potato Development Stations and 1 Ginger Development Station in the State.
2. Plant Protection Programme: The scheduled castes/ scheduled tribes, farmers of backward areas and small and marginal farmers are provided plant protection chemicals and equipment at 50 per cent cost.
3. Soil Testing Programme: Soil testing laboratories have been established in all the districts (except Lahaul and Spiti), and four mobile soil testing vans/labs out of which one exclusively for the tribal areas is in operation for testing the soil samples at site.
4. Prakritik Kheti Khushal Kisan Yojna under Zero Budget Natural farming: It has brought down the cost of cultivation. The budget provided for pesticides/ insecticides to the department of Agriculture and Horticulture is used for providing bio-pesticides and bioinsecticides.
5. Agriculture Credit. The institutional credit for small and marginal farmers and other weaker sections has enabled them to adopt modern technology and improved agricultural practices.
6. Seed Certification Programme: Himachal Pradesh State Seed Certification Agency registers growers in different parts of the State for seed production and certification of their produce.
7. Agriculture Marketing: For the regulation of agricultural produce in the State, Himachal Pradesh Agricultural/ Horticulture Produce Marketing Act, 2005 has been enforced. Under the Act, Himachal Pradesh Marketing Board has been established. Himachal Pradesh has been divided into ten notified market areas.
8. Tea Development: Total area under tea is 2,314.71 hectares with a production level of 10.02 lakh Kgs. achieved in 2019-20. Small and Marginal farmers are provided agriculture inputs on 50 per cent subsidy.
9. Soil and Water Conservation: Two soil and water conservation schemes are being implemented under State sector.
10. Dairy Entrepreneurship Development Scheme (Doodh Ganga Yojna): The components of the scheme include establishment of small dairy, Purchase of dairy processing equipments for manufacture of indigenous milk products, bank loan to the tune of `13.20 lakh.
11. Backyard Poultry Farming: The schemes like 200-Chick Scheme, Him Kukkut Palan Yojna has helped in the development of poultry in the state.
12. Fisheries and Aqua Culture: The Department of Fisheries has constructed Carp as well as Trout seed production farms in the State to cater the requirement of reservoirs rural ponds and commercial farms in public and private sector. Establishment of 6 Fish Kiosk in private sector, Establishment of one Backyard Ornamental Fish units in private sector under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana.