HP govt to provide insurance cover for vegetables

Shimla, Aug 16 (UNI) Himachal Pradesh Chief Miniser Prem Kumar Dhunal today said that the state government would provide insurance cover to off season vegetables so as to protect the interests of the growers.

Addressing the closing ceremony of the two-day long Theog Utsav, at Theog, the Chief Minister said that Himachal Pradesh was the first state to bring perishable commodities under the insurance cover. Ginger, the cash crop of districts Sirmour and Solan had also been brought under the umbrella of the insurance scheme.

He said that efforts would be made to extend the insurance cover to the off season vegetables so that all risks were covered.

Mr Dhumal said that the state government would be promoting off season vegetable cultivation on a large scale. He said that the state had recently enhanced the support price of apple and citrus fruits.

He said that the marketing network was also being strengthened to meet the demand of the people and provide them appropriate selling platforms nearer to their homes.

UNI ML HS VN2007