Himachal earmarks Rs 25 crore for zero budget natural farming

Palampur (Himachal Pradesh) May 6 (IANS) Himachal Pradesh has earmarked Rs 25 crore in its budget for promotion of zero budget natural farming and the government will support scientists to carry out research in this regard Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said.

Speaking at function of the CSIR -- Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology in this town in Kangra district he said: "We should adopt age-old traditional cropping pattern as it is more economical."

He said due to overuse of chemicals and fertilizers soil fertility had deteriorated ultimately affecting human health.

He said the government would provide all possible help to farmers rearing indigenous breed of cows.

He urged the scientists to ensure that their research reached the farmers so that they could benefit by adopting latest technologies for increasing their income.

Former Chief Minister and MP Shanta Kumar said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a vision to double the income of the farmers by 2022.

He said there was immense potential for floriculture and stress must be laid on its proper marketing.

He urged the state government to associate the research of the scientists of the institute with corporate houses.

The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) -- Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology was established in Palampur in 1983. Since then it has been working to preserve the state s rich biodiversity.

--IANS
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