Himachal to honour progressive farmers, says Dhumal

Hamirpur, Mar 21 (UNI) Himachal Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal today stressed the need for taking the results of laboratory to agricultural fields to increase production and help in creasing the income of the farmers of the state.

Addressing farmers during a day-long kisan festival at Sujanpur Tira here, he announced honouring those progressive farmers with suitable prizes who had increased their agriculture production and helped the state to boost its agro economy.

Mr Dhumal said cash prizes of Rs 50,000 to six progressive farmers at State level, Rs 25,000 to twenty-eight farmers at district level and Rs 10,000 to 195 farmers at block level would be given by the government.

Lauding the role of rural women in agriculture and horticulture sectors, he said women were the first to adopt new scientific technologies.

He said self-help groups which were producing traditional domestic products have revived the economy and was gaining popularity in the state.

The Chief Minister also distributed bank drafts of Rs 7.35 lakh to 52 beneficiaries of Hamirpur district for acquiring modern tools under National Horticulture Technology Mission (NHTM).

UNI XC AS JN VN1823