Punjab Newsline, Shimla, February 25-
Horticulture Minister Jagat Singh Negi while chairing the review meeting of HP Shiva Project here today said that the interests of the farmers were paramount for the state government. With the aim of benefiting the farmers of the state, an ambitious HP Shiva project amounting to Rs 1292 crore is being implemented in the state covering sectors like horticulture, irrigation, solar fencing in 6000 hectares of cultivable land in 28 blocks of seven districts of the state.
He said that under the scheme, more than 15 thousand farmers would be encouraged for the cultivation of fruits like guava, orange, litchi and plum particulalry in Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Kangra, Mandi, Solan, Sirmaur and Una districts and to provide them a suitable market for their produce.
The Horticulture Minister said that under the project, 162 lift irrigation schemes were being constructed for irrigational facilities. Apart from this, the horticulturalists will be provided with drip irrigation and solar fencing facilities to protect the crops from the stray animals.