Shimla: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has reaffirmed that strengthening the rural economy remains the cornerstone of his government’s development agenda, announcing a renewed focus on horticulture, sustainable agriculture and tribal welfare as key pillars for improving livelihoods across the hill state.
Chairing a high-level review meeting of the Tribal Development and Horticulture Departments, the Chief Minister said the government is pursuing a long-term strategy aimed at increasing farmers’ incomes, creating sustainable rural employment and ensuring that development reaches even the most remote regions of Himachal Pradesh. He stressed that agriculture and horticulture continue to be the economic backbone of the state and that policy interventions must directly translate into better earnings for rural households.
Highlighting the government’s emphasis on environmentally sustainable farming, Sukhu said Himachal Pradesh has been encouraging chemical-free natural farming by providing Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for naturally grown agricultural produce. He noted that this initiative is designed not only to reward environmentally responsible farming practices but also to create stable market opportunities for farmers transitioning to sustainable cultivation methods.
The Chief Minister directed officials to accelerate efforts to strengthen the Horticulture Department by filling vacant positions and ensuring adequate technical manpower so that government welfare programmes reach farmers efficiently. He observed that timely extension services, scientific guidance and improved field-level support are essential for enhancing productivity and enabling horticulturists to maximise the benefits of government schemes.
A major focus of the review meeting was the progress of the Himachal Pradesh Subtropical Horticulture, Irrigation and Value Addition (HPSHIVA) Project, under which the government is working to modernise horticulture and encourage diversification beyond traditional fruit crops. Sukhu emphasised that future expansion of horticulture must be aligned with the geographical characteristics and climatic conditions of different regions rather than adopting a uniform approach across the state.
He said crop diversification would help reduce risks associated with changing weather patterns while opening new income opportunities for growers. The Chief Minister underlined that horticulture has played a defining role in transforming Himachal Pradesh’s economy over the decades, and strengthening scientific support, market access and value addition would further enhance farmers’ incomes.
Alongside horticulture, the government also reviewed the implementation of welfare programmes for tribal communities. Sukhu instructed the Tribal Development Department to expedite ongoing schemes so that people living in remote tribal regions receive the intended benefits without unnecessary administrative delays.
Reviewing the implementation of the Forest Rights Act, 2006, the Chief Minister said the state has made steady progress in recognising the legal rights of forest-dwelling communities. Between March 2023 and March 2026, the government approved 636 individual forest rights claims along with 20 community claims, resulting in the transfer of rights over approximately 2,259 hectares of land. He described the implementation of the legislation as an important step towards securing the rights and livelihoods of eligible tribal families while ensuring balanced and inclusive development.
The meeting also assessed the functioning of Eklavya Model Residential Schools operating in Nichar, Pangi, Bharmour and Lahaul, institutions established to provide quality education to students belonging to Scheduled Tribe communities. At present, these residential schools are educating 1,013 students.
The Chief Minister directed officials to ensure that students enrolled in these institutions receive the highest standards of educational infrastructure, residential facilities and academic support. He said quality education remains one of the strongest instruments for empowering tribal communities and creating equal opportunities for children living in geographically isolated areas.
Sukhu reiterated that the government’s broader development strategy seeks to strengthen every component of the rural economy by integrating agriculture, horticulture, education, employment generation and tribal welfare into a comprehensive framework. He said investments in sustainable farming, modern horticulture, institutional capacity and human development would collectively contribute to long-term economic resilience across Himachal Pradesh.
The review meeting was attended by Horticulture and Tribal Development Minister Jagat Singh Negi, Additional Chief Secretary Onkar Chand Sharma, Secretary C. Paulrasu and senior government officials, who discussed the implementation status of ongoing programmes and future policy priorities.
The deliberations reflected the state government’s continuing emphasis on creating a development model that combines environmental sustainability with rural prosperity. By strengthening horticulture, supporting natural farming, expanding tribal welfare initiatives and investing in education, the government aims to build a more resilient rural economy while ensuring that economic growth reaches communities across Himachal Pradesh’s diverse mountain landscape.
