Shimla: On the third day of the state-level training and seminar of the Farmers expressed his dismay over the sad plight of farmers and over the dropping of forest weLth share to Himachal economy.
Sabha draw address the economic issues, horticulture, and natural disasters affecting Himachal Pradesh.
Dr. Tanvar emphasized the crucial role of forests in the state's economy, citing the vast forest wealth worth over 2.5 lakh crores rupees.
However, the contribution of forests to the state's domestic product has dwindled from 40% to a mere 8%.
Moreover, the central government owes the people of Himachal Pradesh 4,000 crores rupees annually for the protection and conservation of the state's forest resources, a commitment that has yet to be fulfilled by the state government.
Dr. O.P. Bhureta, the Director of the State Resource Center, presented an analysis based on data from various departments, highlighting the limited arable land in the state, with only 11% being suitable for agriculture. Out of the barren land, a mere 4% is agriculturally viable.
Himachal Pradesh has 9,96,809 farming families, of which 88% fall under the category of small and marginal farmers, owning less than 2 hectares of land.
Dr. O.P. stressed that only 9.74% of the state's labor force is organized, with the remaining 90.36% operating in the unorganized sector, largely unaffected by government policies.
He called for a comprehensive analysis by the Farmers' Association to devise concrete solutions for these issues.
Devki Nand, the Secretary of the Dairy Producers' Union, raised concerns about the dairy industry, advocating for the formation of a separate union to address the issues.
Their efforts have made a significant impact in seven development blocks in the Satluj basin region, providing benefits to dairy farmers.
Joginder Waliya, while addressing the impact of land acquisition, stressed the need for a statewide plan to deal with the issues affecting the farmers after the COVID-19 pandemic.
In conclusion, Rakesh Singh, the former Secretary, highlighted the global economic crisis and the challenges faced by small farmers.
He emphasized the need for unity among various sections of the population and advocated for the success of the farmers' movement, with the next exam scheduled for November 25th, aiming to strengthen the nationwide farmers' cause.
The plight of Himachal Pradesh farmers was revealed through a series of hard-hitting discussions, calling for urgent and comprehensive solutions to address their concerns.
