Himachal: Modern schemes are changing agriculture in Chamba

Himachal Pradesh: The state government, through its agriculture department, has taken several initiatives aimed at empowering farmers and increasing self-reliance. These programmes have had a significant impact in Chamba district, benefiting several farmers, including Madan Kumar of Hatheri village, Mangala Gram Panchayat. Madan Kumar, 45, a 10th pass, has been farming for 25 years. About five years ago, under the guidance of the Agriculture Department Chamba, he adopted scientific farming techniques and modern machinery, which significantly improved his functioning and income. Earlier, Madan faced several challenges like lack of irrigation and crop damage from wild animals. He was also heavily dependent on physical labour, which reduced his profitability. His fortunes changed when he received 70 per cent government assistance for solar fencing worth Rs 4 lakh, which kept his crop safe from wild animals. In addition, a water storage tank was built with the help of Rs 3 lakh from the government, which solved his irrigation problem. Madan also got a 9 HP power tiller and a 2 HP brush cutter at subsidised rates, giving him a subsidy of around Rs 40,000. These technological advancements substantially increased his farming efficiency and production. Today, he grows 10 types of cash crops, including tomatoes, cabbage, spinach, brinjal and capsicum, earning him an annual income of Rs 5 lakh. With the construction of the irrigation tank, Madan now gets water supply throughout the year, allowing him to grow off-season vegetables that command a high price in the market. He also employs local labourers who earn a salary of around Rs 1 lakh annually, creating employment opportunities in his community. Dr Kuldeep Singh Dhiman, Deputy Director of Agriculture in Chamba, lauded Madan, calling him a role model for unemployed youth and highlighted the government’s efforts to promote farm mechanisation. He said this reduces production costs and makes farming easier for farmers. In the financial year 2023-24, the government provided a subsidy of Rs 91 lakh for mechanisation to the farmers of Chamba district under the State Agricultural Mechanisation Scheme and Agricultural Mechanisation Sub-Mission. These subsidies enabled the purchase of nine tractors, 133 power weeders, 165 brush cutters and 125 maize threshers. Apart from this, under the Chief Minister’s Area Conservation Scheme, the government provided 70 per cent subsidy for installing solar fencing to protect crops from wild animals and stray cattle. In 2023-24, 31 farmers of Chamba received a subsidy of Rs 85 lakh for installing 9 km of solar fencing. To deal with irrigation challenges, the government spent Rs 2.02 crore on the installation of water tanks and pipelines in 2023-24, so that farmers can get enough water for their crops throughout the year. Through these targeted interventions, the Government is not only boosting agricultural productivity but also improving the livelihoods of farmers like Madan Kumar, enabling them to lead a more dignified and self-reliant life.