ADB Mission team headed by project officer Sunae Kim under HP sub-tropical horticulture, irrigation and value addition project (HP SHIVA) met Chief Secretary B. K. Agarwal, here today.Sunae Kim apprised that this project will focus on increasing farmer's income in the sub-tropical areas of the state by covering 20,000 hectare area under high density plantation of sub-tropical fruit crops like guava, pomegranate, litchi and citrus fruits etc.The project officer briefed that they are initially supporting 15 pilot sub-projects for different crop models in Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Mandi and Kangra districts of the state besides five sub-projects of irrigation and public health department.She requested the Chief Secretary to ensure filling up of all vacant posts in the blocks selected under HP SHIVA for smooth functioning of the project on priority basis and also forming of a policy for efficient working of water user association in the state.The Chief Secretary assured the project officer to fulfil these demands. He asked the officers of the state government to work sincerely to achieve the goal of doubling farmers' income by 2022.He requested the ADB Mission team to expedite finalization of project concept paper and project readiness financing as the state is very keen to implement this project to fulfil the dream of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur.ADB Mission Associate Project Officer Krishan Rautela, HP SHIVA Project Director Dr. M.M. Sharma, Deputy Director Devinder Thakur and other senior officials were also present on the occasion.
Chief Secretary Himachal