APMC purchased peas worth 9.20 crores from farmers in Solan
In view of the curfew announced in the state since March 24, 2020 due to the threat of corona virus, the state government made specific efforts to make the life of the common man easy, while taking important decisions to provide benefits to the farmers through various means. Due to these decisions of the state government, common man received facilities at their doorstep on one hand and farmers also benefitted immensely on the other.
The decisions taken by the state government in district Solan were implemented in letter and spirit by the district administration. This enabled farmers to reach markets in time and also to grow the preferred crops in arable land.
After the curfew was declared and various activities restricted, the farming class apprehended wastage of their produce in the field itself and were also concerned about availability of seeds on time. In this situation, under the able leadership of Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, the State Government took quick and far-reaching decisions to allay the concerns of farming class.
As per the decision of the State Government, all the 22 agricultural sale centers of Solan district were made functioned. For this, Covid-19 curfew passes were issued to all officers and employees by the district administration. Agriculture Department issued mobile and telephone numbers of 15 officers of the department posted in the district so as to provide specialised facilities to the farmers quickly. Wide publicity was given to provide information about these mobile and telephone numbers to the farmers. Desired information was made available to farmers through these telephone and mobile numbers.
The Agriculture Department prepared an action plan for harvesting the crops of ensuing Rabi season and farmers were informed about the subject through subject matter specialists and agricultural extension officers. Solan district is acclaimed for production of off-season vegetables. Agriculture Department not only helped the farmers in bringing their peas, cabbage, tomatoes, capsicum etc. to the market yards but also ensured that Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) Solan purchase off seasonal vegetables and cash crops from fields itself.
Timely curfew passes were issued to all the farmers by the concerned sub-divisional authorities to take their produce to the Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee. This particularly benefited the farmers of Solan district who grow cash crops, off-season vegetables and wheat etc.
Efforts made by the state government to benefit the farmers amid the risk of corona virus infection have also been successful. From March 24, 2020 to May 06, 2020, APMC Solan purchased 4000 metric tonnes of peas worth Rs. 9.20 crores. APMC Solan not only purchased peas from District Solan but also from District Sirmour, District Shimla and also from Karsog in District Mandi.
During this period, the Agriculture Department also ensured harvesting of wheat crop on 15180 hectares in Solan district.
During this period, the Agriculture Department made available seeds, insecticides and farming tools to the farmers. The farmers were detailed about following the social distancing rules. Masks and sanitizers were also provided to farmers engaged in harvesting and other activities.
Many farmers including Bhagatram Sharma, Devichand, Meharchand, Sagarchand of village Baniya Devi of Gram Panchayat Bakhalag of Arki subdivision of the district say that their produce could reach markets only because of timely support provided by the State Government and district administration Solan which also helped them in getting fair price for their produce.
Issued by:-
Director,
I&PR,
Himachal Pradesh