Himachal Pradesh Crop Diversification Promotion Project (HPCDP) supported by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has been operation in Himachal since 2011.
During the launch Chief Minister said more than 90 percent of lives in rural Himachal out which 70 percent depends upon agriculture for livelihood. The limited finances and slowdown due to the Corona pandemic were not allowed to halt development as various new schemes to promote irrigation, agriculture, horticulture, forestry and allied sectors were launched ensuring all-round and equitable development, he said.
Jai Ram Thakur said JICA aided crop diversification project-II would be implemented in all the 12 districts of state and would boost up the socio-economic status of farmers. The phase-I of the project being implemented in five districts of Mandi, Kangra, Hamirpur, Bilaspur and Una on pilot basis since 2011 has virtually transformed the economy of the farmers in these districts, he claimed.
He said project’s main objective is to encourage crop diversification increasing the vegetable area from 2500 hectares to 7000 hectares in the project area by 2031. The government is mobilizing resources from all possible sources including central government, external funding agencies like JICA, World Bank and Asian Development Bank to accelerate development.
He said the off-season vegetables promise great potential in this region. To give remunerative prices to the farmers, Mandis are required to give easy access to sell their produce at better prices in the state.
Jai Ram Thakur said both India and Japan have developed systems of sustainable production instead of bulk production of food grains to goals. United Nations has also set goals for sustainable development which were to be achieved by 2030, he said.
Thanking JICA for the sustained support, Chief Minister said during the pandemic, the agriculture and allied sector played a crucial role in sustaining the state’s economy. This project also provides an opportunity to replicate the experiences of diverse farming systems in community participation and to disseminate with similar JICA supported projects in India, he said.
He assured JICA would get government’s support to make project’s phase-II a success that will fulfil the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the prosperity of farmers.
He also suggested to document the success stories of the achievers to motivate more farmers by cultivation of cash crops such as off seasonal crops. The scientists should take latest technology to the farmers fields, he said.
Thakur inaugurated exhibition and released a few publications and JICA documentary regarding success stories of the first phase of the project.
Chief Minister honoured progressive farmers Ram Singh, Yangesh Kumar, Kishori Lal, Sandla Devi, Sohan Lal, Baldev Singh, Promila Devi, Summu Kumar, Purnima Kumari, Dulash Thakur and Hoshiyar Singh for making outstanding achievements in JICA project.
Agriculture, Rural Development and Panchayati Minister Virender Kanwar said due to the hilly topography, the area suitable for cultivation was less, thus greater stress must be laid on crop diversification to increase farmers income. The Phase-II will get Rs. 807.30 crore JICA loan while the state will provide Rs. 203.30 crore.
Guest of Honour at the dedication ceremony and chief representative of JICA-India, Saitto Mitsunori said JICA India is largest and oldest developmental partner of Japan. The project aimed at sustainable and climate resilient agriculture development and it also provide technical solution.
Chief Project Advisor Dr. J.C. Rana made a presentation regarding this ambitious project on the occasion.
Secretary Agriculture Dr. Ajay Kumar Sharma said in the phase-II, there would be 296 sub-projects for providing irrigation to convert 7,933 hectares under crop diversification. 10 other sub-projects would be taken up for crop diversification in 500 hectare area which already have irrigation facilities, he said.
Sharma said the project targets to increase gross income per hectare to Rs. 2.50 lakh from the existing Rs. 55,000 per hectare.
Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Sarveen Chaudhary, Forests, Youth Services and Sports Minister Rakesh Pathania, MLAs Arjun Thakur, Vishal Nehriya, Mulk Raj Premi, Arun Kumar and Hoshiyar Singh, Chairman Woolfed Trilok Kapoor, former MLAs, representatives of JICA Japan, Deputy Commissioner Kangra Dr. Nipun Jindal and senior officers of State Agriculture department were also present.
