HP Shiva Horticulture Project to improve farming in seven districts

Shimla: Horticulture Minister of Himachal Pradesh Jagat Singh Negi asked officials and stakeholders to complete the Rs 1,292 crore HP Shiva Horticulture Project on time. He also urged maintaining the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). He also stressed that the work progress should be photographed for evidence. Negi, during his meeting with the top officials, said that the farmers’ welfare would be the top priority for the government.

The project is set to help farmers by improving horticulture, irrigation, and solar fencing across 6,000 hectares of land in 28 blocks of seven districts—Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Kangra, Mandi, Solan, Sirmaur, and Una.

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With the help of the project, over 15,000 farmers will be inspired to grow several fruits such as guava, orange, litchi, and plum. The government is set to provide irrigation facilities and solar fencing, along with drip irrigation and solar fencing services to be provided to protect crops from stray animals.

Negi stressed the need for quality work, urging stakeholders to deploy enough workforce and machinery in different clusters. He also highlighted the importance of providing high-quality saplings to farmers to improve their income and strengthen the agricultural economy. Awareness among farmers should be transmitted so that they can reap more benefit from the scheme.

Horticulture Secretary C. Paulrasu and senior officials from the Horticulture and Jal Shakti departments were present during the meeting with the minister, Negi.