Chouhan rolls out crop insurance payouts, road push for U'khand farmers

Dehradun: Union agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Monday attended Farmers' Day celebrations in Gauchar, Chamoli, where he announced a series of measures aimed at boosting agriculture and horticulture in Uttarakhand. Under the Weather-Based Crop Insurance Scheme (WBCIS), Chouhan digitally transferred insurance payouts worth Rs 65 crore to around 88,000 farmers through 'direct benefit transfer'.Assuring technical and institutional support to the hill state, the minister said Uttarakhand would be developed as the country's horticulture capital. "A team of expert agriculturists, scientists and officials is working on a five-year roadmap. Integrated farming is the key to prosperity here," he said.Among the key announcements, Chouhan said a Clean Plant Centre would be set up in the state for Rs 100 cr to ensure disease-free planting material. He also announced an additional allocation of Rs 90 crore under the agri-fencing scheme to help farmers prevent crop damage caused by wild animals.During the programme, the minister interacted with farmers to understand their challenges. Neeraj Bhatt, a farmer from Chamoli, told Chouhan that he had brought saffron from Kashmir and started cultivating it locally. Appreciating the initiative, the minister said the move would help diversify agricultural and horticultural produce in the state and increase farmers' income.To improve rural connectivity and facilitate the transport of perishable agricultural produce, Chouhan handed over a letter approving Rs 1,706.94 crore to chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. The funds will be used to construct 1,228.2 km of roads connecting 309 hamlets and villages under the Pradhan Mantri Gramin Sadak Yojana.Chouhan also praised the state govt's decision to observe Kisan Diwas on the second Thursday of every month, under which officials will visit farmers at their doorsteps to address grievances and inform them about welfare schemes.At the event, Sudhir Shaili, a farmer from Gauchar, urged the minister not to discontinue the Ghasiyari scheme, saying it had a direct impact on milk production. Farmers who have made notable contributions in agriculture and allied sectors were honoured with the Kisan Bhushan Award.State agriculture minister Ganesh Joshi said young farmers and self-help groups are playing a key role in transforming Uttarakhand's farming sector.