Himachal Government Purchases 421 Quintals of Compost from 105 Farmers, Pays Rs 1.26 Lakh
Shimla, March 25: In an effort to economically empower livestock and farmers in Himachal Pradesh, the state government has successfully implemented the Cow Dung Purchase Scheme. Under this initiative, a total of 421 quintals of compost manure have been bought from 105 farmers over the past two years, amounting to a payment of Rs 1.26 lakh. The government fixed the rate at Rs 3 per kg of compost, which has benefitted farmers across 20 assembly constituencies in the state.
Agriculture Minister Chandra Kumar, in response to a joint question raised by MLAs Lokendra Kumar, Randhir Sharma, and Vikram Singh, provided a detailed breakdown of the scheme’s progress in the state assembly on Tuesday. The initiative aims to promote organic farming while providing a steady source of income to farmers by purchasing compost produced from cow dung.
The highest quantity of compost, 92 quintals, was purchased from livestock farmers in the Nahan constituency of Sirmaur district. This led to a total payment of Rs 27,600 to the farmers in the area. The scheme has been rolled out across various districts of the state, with notable purchases in districts such as Bilaspur, Chamba, Kangra, Mandi, Kullu, Solan, Shimla, and Una.
In Bilaspur district, a total of 49.5 quintals of compost were purchased in the Sadar area, with an amount of Rs 14,850 being paid to the farmers. Additionally, in Chamba district, 8 quintals of compost were bought, and farmers were paid Rs 2,400. The Bhatiyat area of the same district saw a purchase of 10 quintals, for which farmers received Rs 3,000.
In the Hamirpur district, the Naidun area saw a purchase of 20 quintals, with Rs 6,000 being disbursed to the farmers. Meanwhile, in the Kangra district, 24 quintals of compost were bought in Baijnath, for which farmers received Rs 7,200. The Rait area in Kangra recorded the purchase of 23 quintals, with Rs 6,900 being distributed to farmers.
The scheme also extended to various areas in Mandi district. In Drang, 12 quintals of compost were bought, and farmers were paid Rs 3,600. In Karsog, 8 quintals were purchased, with Rs 2,400 paid out, and in Gohar, 6 quintals were procured for Rs 1,800. Similarly, in Sundernagar, 12.5 quintals of compost were purchased, and farmers received Rs 3,750.
Other notable purchases included 10.5 quintals of compost in Mashobra (Shimla district), for which Rs 3,150 was paid, and 13.5 quintals in Tutu (Shimla district), with Rs 4,050 paid to the farmers.
In Solan district, 45 quintals of compost were procured from Nalagarh, resulting in a payout of Rs 13,500. In Una district, a total of 5 quintals of compost were bought in Haroli, with farmers receiving Rs 1,500. In Una city, 8 quintals were purchased, and Rs 2,400 was paid to the farmers, while Gagret area saw a purchase of 15 quintals, with a total payment of Rs 4,500.
The Cow Dung Purchase Scheme is not only helping in the promotion of organic farming but also contributing to the economic stability of farmers, especially those involved in livestock farming. This initiative aims to encourage sustainable farming practices while ensuring a reliable income stream for farmers in the state.
As the scheme continues to gain traction, it is expected to further benefit farmers, reduce waste, and promote the use of organic fertilizers, aligning with the state’s commitment to sustainable agricultural practices.
Continuing the achievement of the journey of effectiveness and credibility of more than 10 years in the career of journalism, as a woman journalist, I am Serving as the founder, promoter and editor of DiaryTimes with the trust and support of all. My credible coverage may not have given a big shape to the numbers, but my journey presents articles that make you aware of the exact and meaningful situations of Himachal’s politics, ground issues related to the public, business, tourism and the difficult geographical conditions of the state and financial awareness. DiaryTimes, full of the experience of my precise editorial expertise, is awakening the flame of credible journalism among all of you, so that the eternal flame of meaningful change can be lit in the life of the people of the state and the atrocities being committed against the people can be brought to the fore, I am motivated for that. If even a small change comes with the power of my journalism and the whole world becomes a witness to that issues, then I will consider myself fortunate.
