Union Minister for Agriculture, Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan met Uttarakhand Chief Minister Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami in Delhi today to discuss the state’s needs in the areas of agriculture and rural development. During the meeting, Union Minister Shri Chouhan assured all possible support to the state and appreciated its efforts, stating that the Uttarakhand government is doing commendable work in these sectors.

The issue of crop damage caused by animals was also raised, particularly in the context of Uttarakhand being a border state with mountainous terrain where it is crucial to protect agricultural produce from wild animals to sustain the population. In response, the Union Agriculture Minister announced immediate relief, and said the Central Government will provide funds under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) to support fencing efforts in the state.

He further said that Uttarakhand had sought support to promote traditional millet crops such as ‘Mandua’ (finger millet) and ‘Jhingora’ (barnyard millet). In response, the Central Government has decided to allocate funds under the National Food Security and Nutrition Mission (NFSM) to support these efforts.

Shri Chouhan highlighted that under the high-density apple orchard initiative, the state proposed the establishment of high-quality apple nurseries for marketing, along with the need for cold storage facilities, sorting, and grading units. The Centre, he assured, will extend full cooperation in this regard. He also noted that the climate of Uttarakhand is highly suitable for kiwi cultivation, which is relatively less affected by wild animals, and promised Central assistance for promoting kiwi as well.

Similarly, he emphasised the potential of dragon fruit cultivation, which is a hardy, high-value crop, less vulnerable to damage from wild animals and has a longer shelf life. In view of its commercial promise, he affirmed that the Central Government will support the state under the Dragon Fruit Mission.

Addressing the state’s request for funding to establish Centres of Excellence for Superfoods — including honey, mushrooms, and exotic vegetables — Shri Chouhan confirmed that this proposal had also been approved.

In terms of rural development, he acknowledged that Uttarakhand has met its targets under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) and has already completed a new survey, with verification nearing completion. He also appreciated the state’s strong performance under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) and confirmed that approval for Phase IV of the scheme will be granted as per the state’s proposals.

He further praised Uttarakhand’s achievements under the ‘Lakhpati Didi’ initiative, noting that the state has not only met its targets but also raised its goals. Performance under MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) has also been strong.

In conclusion, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan stated that the meeting on agriculture and rural development was highly productive, and that both the Agriculture and Rural Development Ministries are fully committed to supporting Uttarakhand’s development.

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RC/KSR/AR