HP to honour progressive farmers on Independence Day

Shimla, Jul 9 (UNI) Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal today said his government would honour progressive and inspiring farmers on Independence Day for motivating the farming community for generating additional income by diversifying farming activities.

''Agriculture, being the primary sector, is providing employment to about 90 per cent of the population of the state. Farmers who take lead in motivating the farming community to diversify their crops to generate additional income would be honoured at the Independence Day,'' he said at a meeting here.

Naming Mr Hari Man Sharma, Mr Dhumal said he had shown exemplary effort by producing quality apple, mango, lichi and pomegranate in the same temperate zone and warmer climatic conditions.

''Mr Sharma would be honoured for his valuable contribution with a view to inspire the farming community take lesson from his efforts to diversify their traditional cropping methods,'' he added.

He said the Soil Health Cards prepared by the agricultural scientists of the state would also be handed over to the farmers of the state and added that it plans to distribute one lakh such cards during the current financial year.

UNI AS PS RL AS1948