Efforts on to increase agriculture production: CM

Himachal Pradesh government was laying special emphasis on sustainable growth of agriculture sector which was the mainstay of the majority population of the state and efforts were on to increase the productivity of crops, Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today said.
Adequate irrigation facilities, hybrid seeds and subsidised fertilisers, fungicides and insecticides and other incentives are being provided to boost farm production, the CM said while addressing a public meeting at Chandeish, in Sarkhaghat area of Mandi district.
He said that the government has earmarked Rs 60 crore for encouraging farmers to grow off-season vegetables and was also providing them upto 80 per cent subsidy for constructing poly houses to help them increase their income.

He exhorted the youth to take up agriculture and allied activities like cultivation of off-season vegetables, floriculture and other commercial crops to increase their earnings.
Singh said that his government was providing an opportunity to the youth to excel in various trades under the Skill Development Allowance scheme.
More industrial units were coming up in the state which were providing ample job opportunities, he said.
The CM said that Mandi parliamentary constituency had witnessed speedy development in last two and a half years as various developmental projects have been started and sanctioned for the constituency.
He said the state government was paying special attention to improve the roads and a provision of Rs 167 crore had been made for widening and construction of Sarkaghat-Ghumarwin highway.