The pro-active and Pro-farmer government of Himachal Pradesh is taking every necessary step to help farmers amid this lockdown.
Provision for Anti-hailstorm nets –
Hailstorm causes severe damage to crops in Himachal Pradesh, especially to vegetables, apple and other fruit crops. It deteriorates the yield both qualitatively and quantitatively, due to which the farmers face great losses. To prevent such situations, the government of Himachal Pradesh is providing 80% subsidy on anti-hailstorm nets.
Amid COVID-19 pandemic, the state government has taken all the necessary steps for welfare of farmers and has provided anti-hailstorm net of around 28 lakh square meters. Farmers can contact Department of Horticulture of their respective districts for acquiring anti-hailstorm nets.
Crop Protection –
To prevent farmers distress amid lockdown, the government has also provided around 170 metric tonnes of insecticides and other plant protection equipment.
To prevent damage to the bumper crop of strawberry, the Department of Horticulture carried out its a procurement for processing. The government also took initiatives to provide cherry packaging boxes to the farmers.
Regular visits are being made my subject matter specialists to assist the agricultural activities and special attention is being paid for providing curfew pass to farmers to ease their movements.
Beeboxes for Pollination –
To increase the productivity of crops that depend on pollination like apple and other crops, the government through Horticulture department has provided around 46,265 beeboxes, out of which 35,985 are provided to Shimla district, 3,665 boxes to Mandi district, 2,215 to Sirmaur district, 2,000 to Kullu district and 2,400 boxes to Kinnaur district.
