PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/ Dehradun Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami launched the Uttarakhand Mahak Kranti policy-2026-36 at the Centre for Aromatic Plants (CAP), Selaqui in Dehradun on Saturday. Addressing a gathering on the occasion, the CM said that the State government aims to promote cultivation of aromatic plants on about 23,000 hectares in the State and engage more than one lakh farmers. He expressed confidence that in the coming 10 years, the State’s aromatic crop turnover will be increased to Rs 1,200 crore from existing Rs 100 crore. Describing the launch of the new policy as historic, the CM said that under this policy, the development of seven aroma valleys in the State will commence. In the first phase, Timur Valley in Pithoragarh, Damask Rose Valley in Chamoli and Almora, Mint Valley in Udham Singh Nagar, Cinnamon Valley in Champawat and Nainital and Lemongrass and Mint Valley in Haridwar and Pauri will be developed. He said that under this policy, arrangements will be made for nursery development support, farming grants, training and capacity building, crop insurance and packaging and branding. He averred that under the leadership of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi the State government is working for the benefit of the farmers of the State. Interest-free loans up to Rs three lakh are being made available to farmers and up to 80 per cent subsidy is also being provided through the Farm Machinery Bank Scheme for purchasing agricultural equipment. Farmers in the State are being provided a bonus of Rs 20 per quintal on wheat purchase. Dhami said that a provision of Rs 200 crore has been made for the construction of polyhouses in the State. To support rain-fed farming in the mountainous areas of the State, the Uttarakhand Climate Responsive Rain-Fed Farming Project has also been approved at a cost of approximately Rs 1,000 crore. The CM stated that the state government is providing up to 80 per cent subsidy on investment in millet production. An incentive of Rs 4,000 per hectare will be provided for row sowing and Rs. 2,000 per hectare for sowing using other methods. Additionally, a provision has been made to provide farmers with an additional incentive of Rs 300 per quintal on the purchase of millet produce. Agriculture minister Ganesh Joshi said that Uttarakhand has immense potential in the field of aroma, and that agriculture, horticulture and CAP will play a crucial role in strengthening the State’s economy in the future. In the programme, the CM also inaugurated the Satellite Centre Bhauwala and laid foundation stone of satellite centres at Parsari (Chamoli), Raithal (Uttarkashi), Bhaisori (Almora), Khateda (Champawat) and Vishad (Pithoragarh). A memorandum of understanding was also signed during the event between the CAP and Dabur India Limited. The purpose of this MoU is to establish a framework for collaboration between CAP and Dabur in the areas of extension, research and development, human resource development, marketing and other areas.
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