CSIR to empower Lahaul farmers

Tribune News Service

Mandi, January 6

To strengthen the agriculture sector in Lahaul-Spiti, DC Neeraj Kumar signed an MoU with Director of the CSIR-IHBT, Palampur, Dr Sanjay Kumar today. The MoU will increase the production to enhance the economy of farmers in the district.

Dr Sanjay Kumar said, “Under the MoU, the action plan for food processing, branding and marketing of agricultural products will also be involved. Apart from this, the focus will also be on soil, water conservation and waste management,” he said.

“Awareness and information about processing will also be shared with farmers. They will be equipped with the latest technology related to cash crops other than floriculture,” he added.

Neeraj Kumar said, “The livelihood of the people of Lahaul-Spiti is based on agriculture. There are some distinct challenges in this area. These are limited diversification of high-yielding varieties, lack of storage capacity, limited industrial reach, value addition and branding of products, etc.”

“The MoU has been signed with the CSIR-IHBT, Palampur, to open new doors of economic and social prosperity in the geographically largest district of HP,” he said.