Rs 1,292cr HP Shiva project to help farmers grow fruits, find mkt for their produce

Shimla: Horticulture minister Jagat Singh Negi Tuesday said the state is implementing an ambitious Rs 1,292 crore project, called HP Shiva, for the benefit of farmers in the state. It will cover horticulture, irrigation and solar fencing across 6,000 hectares of cultivable land in 28 blocks of seven districts.
Chairing a meeting to review the project, Negi said the interest of farmers is of paramount importance for the state govt. As part of the plan, more than 15,000 farmers will be encouraged to grow fruits such as guava, orange, litchi and plum, particularly in Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Kangra, Mandi, Solan, Sirmaur and Una districts. The project aims to provide them with a suitable market for their produce.
Under the project, altogether 162 lift irrigation schemes are being constructed for irrigation facilities. Horticulturalists will be provided drip irrigation and solar fencing facilities to protect crops from stray animals.
The cabinet minister asked the officials and others concerned to ensure the timely completion of the project, in compliance with the SOP, with photographic evidence of the progress being made after site inspections.
Negi also called upon the stakeholders to deploy enough manpower and machinery in the clusters to ensure quality work. He said high-quality saplings should be made available to the farmers for planting. He stressed on the need for creating greater awareness about the project so that farmers can avail themselves of its multiple benefits, he added.