Himachal Pradesh’s agriculture department has set a target of producing 7.2 lakh tonnes of foodgrains in the current rabi season under the agriculture production programme.
“Besides 7.2 lakh tonnes of foodgrains, 3.45 thousand tonnes of oilseeds, 27,000 tonnes of potatoes and 4.66 lakh tonnes of vegetables are also expected to be produced,” said state agriculture department director J.C.Rana.
He said to achieve the stipulated targets elaborate arrangements were being made under which 8,900 tonnes of hybrid seeds, 36,680 tonnes of fertilisers and even organic fertilisers were being made available to farmers.
“Up to 62,500 soil samples will be taken from across the state and farmers would be provided soil health cards,” said Rana. Agriculture insurance scheme would continue for wheat and barley this season.
“For the first time tomatoes in Solan district and potatoes in Kangra and Una districts have been included in season-based crop insurance scheme,” he said.
“Organic farming was being adopted by farmers and around 5,500 hectares had been brought under organic farming with 15,040 farmers being registered under the programme,” he said.