Almora agri dept to subsidise 80% cost of a new, scientifically-designed plough

Almora: To help farmers in distress amid the lockdown, Almora’s agriculture department has announced a subsidy of up to 80% of the price of a special plough designed by Vivekananda Parvatiya Krishi Anusandhan Sansthan (VPKAS) and Syahidevi Vikas Manch. The department said this plough makes farming easier and also stop farmers from felling trees to carve farm equipment.“To help farmers, the department has decided to give up to 80% subsidy on this specially-designed plough. This will help farmers facing problems in lockdown, as well as stop them from cutting oak and other important forests, as villagers often fell these trees to make ploughs,” said Priyanka Singh, chief agriculture officer, Almora.The officer said farmers can buy these ploughs from any office or help centre of the department. “This plough is made using lightweight metal, due to which it can be easily transported from one field to another, which is very important for farmers in the hills, where farms are scattered. The blade has been designed to make farming easier, and is more durable than the traditional plough,” J S Bisht,principal scientist and acting head of crops production development at VPKAS told TOI.