Monday, 18 April 2022 | PNS | Dehradun
The Agriculture and Rural Development minister Ganesh Joshi has said that the Uttarakhand government is taking necessary measures to promote organic farming in the state. He was addressing a programme organised by Appropriate Technologies India ( AT India) here on Sunday. He said that the state government is ready to undertake joint initiatives with organisations like AT India to increase the income of rural folks especially women. The minister also released a documentary on ‘ Women Producers Welfare Initiative’ which showcases the work done by AT India in the field of enterprise development through women.
Former vice chancellor of HNB Garhwal University and chairman of AT India, SP Singh said the organisation is seeking to link the income generation and maintaining biodiversity by working in the field of honey production, Tussar silk and dairy. He said that the organisation is laying emphasis on promoting organic honey production. “There is a big demand for organic honey in the world and we should set up ‘Uttarakhand model’ in honey production. We have noticed that the Apis cerana bee visits flowers of 68 species to collect nectar and pollen. For production of organic honey the landscape should be organic. Our endeavour is to set up an economically viable system of enterprise development in mountain communities. We need to develop a partnership with the government for this,’’ he said .
The VC of Doon University, Surekha Dangwal said that efforts should be made for mountain centric government policies in the state. She opined that AT India should include young women in its activities and make them economically strong. This will also help in stopping migration from the hills.
AT India is working in the districts of Rudraprayag, Chamoli, Dehradun, Uttarkashi, Tehri and Pauri and is associated with 2,387 self help groups.
The programme was attended by deputy general manager of Rail Vikas Nigam Vijay Dangwal, professor S P Sati and others.
