In Uttarakhand, with its challenging geographical conditions, the state will take rapid strides towards prosperity through aromatic crop cultivation. The state cabinet has approved the Uttarakhand Mahak Kranti Policy, a significant decision in this regard. Under this policy, the aim is to promote aromatic crops over an area of 22,750 hectares in 10 years, benefiting 91,000 farmers. Farmers will receive subsidies ranging from 50% to 80% of the total cost for establishing nurseries, farms, and processing units. Furthermore, aromatic crops and suitable areas have been identified in nine districts. These areas will be developed as ‘aroma valleys’ in the hilly regions. An investment of ₹1127 crore will be made to promote aromatic crop cultivation in the state. The Mahak Kranti Policy aims to increase the annual turnover of aromatic crops in the state to ₹1179 crore, compared to the current ₹100 crore. Agriculture in Uttarakhand faces numerous challenges, including the abandonment of arable land due to migration, crop damage from wildlife, and adverse weather conditions. Considering these challenges, the government is promoting aromatic crop cultivation. Currently, aromatic crops are cultivated on 9713 hectares across 109 clusters, involving approximately 28,000 farmers. Seeing the positive results of this initiative, the Mahak Kranti Policy was drafted to further accelerate this sector in the state. The policy was proposed by the Agriculture and Farmer Welfare Department at the cabinet meeting held at the Secretariat on Tuesday, chaired by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. Additional Secretary to the Chief Minister and Director General of Information, Banshidhar Tiwari, briefed the media on the cabinet decisions. He stated that the cabinet also approved five other proposals, including the Mahak Kranti Policy.
Key Points of the Mahak Kranti Policy:
Ownership of land or a lease agreement for a minimum of 10 years is mandatory for farmers, farmer groups, cooperatives, self-help groups, or companies. Applicants are required to cultivate a minimum of five ares (0.1 hectares) of land.
A subsidy of 80% will be provided for up to 50 ares (0.1 hectares) of land.
For areas exceeding 50 ares, the subsidy will be 50%.
Anyone can cultivate aromatic plants on a maximum of 30 acres; however, the 50% subsidy will only be available for up to 10 acres.
This initiative will help establish aromatic plants as a profitable cash crop.
Implementation of this policy will generate 2.27 crore man-days of employment.
Approximately 500 processing and distillation plants, categorized as MSMEs, will be established.
