The State Government has earmarked Rs. 25 crore in the State Budget for promotion of Zero Budget Natural Farming. He said that the State Government would ensure support to the scientists for carrying out research in different fields. This was stated by the Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur while addressing the gathering at CSIR Institute of Himalayan Bio-resource Technology (IHBT) at Palampur in Kangra district today during his maiden visit to the CSIR Campus.The Chief Minister said that we should adopt our age old traditional cropping pattern, since it was devoid of any side effects and was also far more economical. He said that due to over use of chemical fertilizers the fertility of the soil has been effected and at the same time it was causing ill effects on our health. He said that the State Government would provide all possible help to the farmers adopting rearing of indigenous breed of cows. He said that the State Government would establish Gau Sadans at district and sub division level. He said that the Government has decided to use 15 per cent of the offerings from major temples for managing these Gau Sadans. He said that similarly, Rs. one per bottle would be charged from sale of each bottle of liquor for the Gau Sadans.
He said that over 70 per cent population of the country lives in rural area with agriculture and allied activities their main avocation. He said that thus it was not possible to even think of development of the nation without focusing on the development of rural areas. He urged the scientists to ensure that their research reaches the farmers so that they could benefit by adopting latest technologies for increasing their income. He said that it was the need of the hour to take new initiatives in every field to meet out the challenges of globalization.Chief Minister launched website Aromatic oils of Himalayas, developed by the Institute.He also inaugurated Sabbatical Home on the occasion.MoUs were signed with the Farmers Societies on installation of community distribution units on the occasion.Chief Minister also handed over the farmers improved variety of seeds of wild marigold to the farmers.Former Chief Minister and MP Shanta Kumar said that the nation was forging ahead on path of development, but even after over 71 years of independence, lot more needed to be done for the farmers of the country. He said that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has a vision to double the income of the farmers by the year 2022, which was a matter of great satisfaction.He said that it was vital that the research carried out by the scientists should to reach the farms and the common-man.He said that 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.
He also stressed on rearing indigenous breed of cows and urged the State Government to promote rearing of this breed.Health and Family Welfare Minister Vipin Singh Parmar while welcoming the Chief Minister said that the Institute was established in Palampur in 1983 and since then it was endeavouring hard to preserve the rich bio-diversity of the State. He said that students passing out from the Institute were doing a commendable service in the field of bio-conservation. He said that the State under the leadership of Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur was forging ahead on the path of progress and prosperity (Shikhar ki aur agae bar raha hai Himachal). He said that the budget presented by the Chief Minister was a vision document of the Government and shows the commitment of the Government for all round development of the State. Director of IHBT Sanjay Kumar welcomed the Chief Minister and other dignitaries present of the occasion and detailed about various activities being undertaken by the Institute. He said that CSIR-IHBT is the only lab of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research in the State. He said that the State has a rich bio-diversity and efforts were being made to conserve the same.Food and Civil Supplies Minister Kishan Kapoor, Urban Development Minister Sarveen Chaudhary, MLAs Rakesh Pathania, Ravinder Dhiman, Arun Mehra and Mulk Raj Premi, former MLA Dulo Ram, Chairperson BJP Mahila Morcha Indu Goswami, Additional Chief Secretary Dr. Srikant Baldi, DC Sandeep Kumar, SP Santosh Patial were present on the occasion among others.Jai Ram Thakur, Vipin Singh Parmar, Sarveen Chaudhary, Kishan Kapoor