Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], August 30 (ANI): A delegation of four scientists from the French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food, and Environment (INRAE) called on Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Friday.
The team, led by Prof Allison Marie Loconto, Deputy Director of LISIS, included researchers Prof Mireille Matt, Evelyne Lhoste, and Renee Van Dis are on a visit to Himachal Pradesh to learn about the advancements in natural farming in the state.
During the meeting, the Chief Minister said that Himachal Pradesh was pioneering in natural farming as the state was the first in India to offer a minimum support price for products grown through natural farming practices with wheat being procured at Rs 40 per kg and maize at Rs 30 per kg. Additionally, cow milk was being purchased at Rs 45 per litre and buffalo milk at Rs. 55 per litre.
He said that Himachal Pradesh was set to become a leading state in natural farming within the next five to six years and emphasized the importance of product certification in natural farming. The Chief Minister also emphasised the introduction of the CETARA certification system, which was being implemented in the state to ensure fair prices for the farmers.
CM Sukhu said that the HIM-UNNATI scheme was being implemented in the state with a cluster-based approach that aims to produce and certify chemical-free produce, with plans to establish 2,600 agricultural groups involving approximately 50,000 farmers. Furthermore, the state government was also taking significant steps to boost the dairy sector and enhance milk production.
The visiting INRAE scientists are on a three-week mission to YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni and various other locations in the state. Their visit is part of the European Commission-funded ACROPICS project (Agroecological Crop Protection towards International Co-Innovation Dynamics and Evidence of Sustainability), which aims to advance co-innovation in agroecological crop protection.
The delegation lauded the state government’s efforts in promoting natural farming and praised the CETARA certification system. They said that INRAE would explore the possibility of adopting this certification system in other countries.
Education Minister Rohit Thakur, Chief Parliamentary Secretary Sanjay Awasthy, MLAs Suresh Kumar, Vivek Sharma, Neeraj Nayyar, Vinod Sultanpuri, Ranjit Singh Rana and Sudarshan Babloo, Secretary of Agriculture C Paulrasu, Director of Horticulture Vinay Singh, Vice Chancellor of YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni Prof. Rajeshwar Chandel and other dignitaries were present in the meeting. (ANI)
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