Himachal Pradesh will become the first State in the country to formulate its Horticulture Policy aiming to enhance horticulture produce in the State and transform it into the fruit bowl of India, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said on Monday.    Reviewing the H.P. Shiva Project of the Horticulture department here,  the Chief Minister said that the Rs. 1292 crore project would cover 6000 hectares area in seven districts of the State.  He emphasized on intercropping and said that saplings of guava, citrus fruits, pomegranate, dragon fruit, blueberry and jack fruits would be planted in two phases. He directed the department to incorporate small and marginal farmers with this project, thereby strengthening their economy. He said that the state government was according top priority to strengthen the rural economy and horticulture sector could play a crucial role in uplifting the farming community. Sukhu said that a total of 60 lakh fruit saplings would be planted under the project to cover 6000 hectares of land by 2028.  Under the project, 4000 hectares of land would be covered in the first phase and remaining 2000 hectares in the second phase. He said that 1.30 lakh metric tonnes produce was expected out of this project by 2032 with approximately Rs. 230 crore trade value per annum. He said that this project would also provide direct and indirect employment opportunities to 82500 people of the State. The Chief Minister directed the department to incorporate information technology and modern technology in this project to ensure remunerative prices to the farmers. He said that 70 percent of the population of the State resides in rural areas engaged in various farming activities. He instructed the department to provide the necessary technical support and handholding to make this project successful. Himachal Pradesh bags award for hydropower capacity Himachal Pradesh has been awarded the "Highest Achiever State in Overall Hydropower Capacity" at the Global Renewable Energy Investors Meet and Expo held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. "This recognition validates our efforts to make Himachal Pradesh a Green Energy State by March 31, 2026," state Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said in the statement issued here on Monday.  The award was presented by Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Pralhad Joshi. Sukhu said that the state government has taken rapid strides and introduced various measures to achieve this goal of being a "Green Energy State by March 31, 2026".  The government has laid a special focus on harnessing hydropower and renewable energy. A 32 MW Pekhubela solar power plant has been made operational in a record time span of six months and two more solar power projects, 10 MW in Kutlehar and 5 MW at Bhanjal, were also coming up and would be dedicated to the people soon, the chief minister said. He added that these projects would go a long way in reducing carbon emissions and dependency on fossil fuels.  Sukhu said the government was promoting e-vehicles in the state, and petrol and diesel vehicles were being phased out in the government departments thereby enhancing the use of e-vehicles.  He said that green industries were being promoted in a big way to save the environment of the state.

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