CM Pushkar Singh Dhami Inaugurates ‘Mushroom Village’ in Buggawala, Haridwar
Initiative Aimed at Boosting Farmers’ Income and Rural Employment
Haridwar: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Saturday inaugurated the ‘Mushroom Village’ developed by MB Foods at Buggawala in Haridwar district, describing it as a landmark initiative towards enhancing farmers’ income, strengthening the rural economy, and promoting innovation in the agricultural sector of Uttarakhand.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said that mushroom cultivation is a highly profitable agricultural enterprise that requires less land, less water, and delivers faster returns. He emphasized that such modern and scientific farming practices can provide farmers with additional and sustainable sources of income, especially in rural and semi-urban areas.
CM Dhami lauded the efforts of the MB Foods team and said that the ‘Mushroom Village’ project would not only increase agricultural productivity but also generate new self-employment opportunities for youth, women, and self-help groups, thereby strengthening their economic independence. He expressed confidence that this model would serve as an inspiration for other regions of the state and give a new direction to agriculture-based entrepreneurship.
Highlighting the broader national vision, the Chief Minister said that under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the country is moving rapidly towards the goal of a ‘Developed India’. Concrete steps are being taken to double farmers’ income, including financial assistance under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana, which benefits over 11 crore farmers nationwide, including around 9 lakh farmers in Uttarakhand.
He further stated that initiatives such as enhanced Minimum Support Price (MSP), Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, Soil Health Cards, and other farmer-centric schemes are providing substantial support to the agricultural community. The increase in the Kisan Credit Card limit from ₹3 lakh to ₹5 lakh in the Union Budget was termed a historic decision in favor of farmers.
CM Dhami said that schemes like Kisan Maandhan Yojana, Millet Mission, Horticulture Development Mission, Digital Agriculture Mission, subsidies on agricultural machinery, and drip irrigation schemes are empowering farmers and modernizing agriculture.
Speaking about state initiatives, the Chief Minister said that the Uttarakhand government is fully committed to the welfare of farmers. Under the Farm Machinery Bank Scheme, subsidies of up to 80 percent are being provided on agricultural equipment, along with interest-free loans up to ₹3 lakh and free canal irrigation facilities. He informed that ₹200 crore has been allocated for the construction of polyhouses, under which around 350 polyhouses have already been established to boost farmers’ income.
The Chief Minister also highlighted key policy measures such as a ₹20 per quintal bonus on wheat procurement, a ₹30 per quintal increase in sugarcane prices, the new Apple Policy, Kiwi Policy, State Millet Mission, and the Dragon Fruit Policy, which are taking agriculture and horticulture in Uttarakhand to new heights. Thousands of farmers are also benefiting from the promotion of aromatic crop cultivation under the ‘Mahak Kranti’ (Fragrance Revolution).
He said that through the ‘House of Himalayas’ brand, the state government is making concerted efforts to give national and international recognition to Uttarakhand’s local agricultural products. These initiatives, he added, will play a crucial role in realizing the vision of a self-reliant Uttarakhand in the agricultural sector and ensuring long-term prosperity for farmers.
At the conclusion of the programme, Chief Minister Dhami appealed to the residents of Buggawala and Haridwar to actively participate in government initiatives, stating that public cooperation is essential to make Devbhoomi Uttarakhand a leading state in agriculture and all other sectors.
Cabinet Minister Ganesh Joshi, MLA Pradeep Batra, the District Magistrate, Senior Superintendent of Police, senior district officials, and a large number of local residents were present on the occasion.
