Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur today inaugurated the Himachal Pradesh State Agricultural Marketing Board’s complex constructed at Khalini at a cost of Rs. 6.45 crore.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that the foundation stone of this building was laid by him in the year 2020 and its work had been completed within the stipulated time, which shows the commitment of the State government. He said that the State Government was constantly striving for the upliftment of farmers and horticulturalists and to increase their crop yield so that their economy could be strengthened.
He said that the State Agricultural Marketing Board was doing commendable work to ensure that the farmers and horticulturalists of the state get the adequate price for their produce. He said that the State Government was providing basic facilities and services to the farmers and horticulturalists through the Agriculture Marketing Board to sell their produce.
He said that the State Government had constructed new Market Yards and expanded the old ones in the state at a cost of about Rs 242 crore. He said that special emphasis was being laid on setting up of cold stores in the state. Farmers and horticulturalists were being benefited through these cold stores.
Jai Ram Thakur said that the government had taken effective steps to enable the farmers to get the adequate price for their produce and sell their crops near their homes. Government had set up small vegetable collection centers and market yards at various places.
He said that 10 Market Yards were functional at the district level under the Agricultural Marketing Board and marketing facilities were also being provided to the farmers through the Sub-Market Yards. He said that the State Government giving highest priority to the welfare of farmers, the State Government had been providing subsidy on fertilizers, agricultural tools, equipments and seeds to encourage agriculture. He said that schemes like Krishi Se Sampannta Yojna, Agricultural Produce Protection Scheme and Chief Minister Green House Renewal Scheme etc. were also being implemented for the upliftment of farmers in the state. Many ambitious schemes sponsored by the Central government were also being successfully implemented in the state, due to which the economy of the farmers and of the state had been strengthened.
The Chief Minister said that the State Government had extended all possible help to the farmers and horticulturalists even during the Covid crises. Farmers and horticulturalists were able to get good prices of fruits even in that difficult period and all the markets were kept open to facilitate the farmers.
Urban Development Minister Suresh Bhardwaj, Rural Development, Panchayati Raj and Agriculture Minister Virendra Kanwar, State Agricultural Marketing Board Chairman Baldev Singh Bhandari, APMC Shimla Chairman Naresh Sharma and other dignitaries including senior officers and officials were present on the occasion.
