NEW DELHI, 9 July 2025: The Union Government has approved a wide-ranging agricultural and rural development support package for Uttarakhand, following a meeting between Union Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami in the national capital on Monday.
The meeting, described as “highly productive” by Minister Chouhan, focused on promoting traditional grains, high-value horticulture, and rural infrastructure, while addressing the pressing challenge of crop damage caused by wild animals in hill districts.
Chouhan assured that the Centre will release funds under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) to construct protective fencing in vulnerable border and mountainous regions, mitigating losses for small and marginal farmers.
Support for Millets and Superfoods
Reaffirming the Centre’s commitment to nutrition-sensitive agriculture, Chouhan announced support under the National Food Security and Nutrition Mission (NFSM) to promote traditional millets such as Mandua (finger millet) and Jhingora (barnyard millet)—nutritionally rich crops with deep cultural roots in the state.
The Centre also approved the establishment of Centres of Excellence on superfoods, with a focus on honey, mushrooms, and exotic vegetables. These hubs will drive value-addition and enterprise development in niche agri-sectors.
Focus on Climate-Smart Horticulture
Chouhan highlighted Uttarakhand’s potential as a fruit cultivation hub, particularly for high-density apple orchards, kiwi, and dragon fruit. The Centre will extend technical and financial assistance to develop advanced nurseries, grading units, and cold storage infrastructure under various missions, including the Dragon Fruit Mission.
“Kiwi, due to its compatibility with local climate and lower risk of wildlife intrusion, offers a commercially viable option for hill farmers,” the Minister noted.
Rural Development Gains Recognition
On the rural development front, the Union Minister praised Uttarakhand’s performance in Central flagship schemes. He confirmed that the state had completed its survey under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), and approval for Phase IV of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) would be granted soon.
The state was also acknowledged for exceeding targets in both the Lakhpati Didi initiative—which promotes women-led economic enterprises—and MGNREGA, where implementation indicators were found to be above national averages.
Chouhan reaffirmed the Centre’s continued commitment to support Uttarakhand’s agricultural transformation and inclusive rural development goals, noting that the twin ministries would provide “every possible support” for integrated progress.
Image credit: retufoods.com
