Una, September 10- Himachal Government's ambitious HP Shiva Project of Rs 1292 crore is writing a new chapter of prosperity in the lives of farmers and gardeners of the state. Under this scheme implemented with the cooperation of Asian Development Bank, Una district has set a great example in bringing it on the ground. The coordination of modern techniques, quality plantation, scientific guidance and government support has increased the income of farmers as well as opened new doors of self-employment for rural youth.

* Extensive preparations for expansion in the district
This scheme, implemented in Bangana development block of Una district in the initial phase, is now ready for expansion in the entire district. Deputy Director of Horticulture Department Una, Dr. KK Bhardwaj says that in the coming years, the target is to bring about 224 hectares of land in the district under the HP Shiva Project. He says that under the scheme, 11 front line exhibition sites have been developed in the Bangana area in the last three years, in which fruit plants like guava, pomegranate and malta have been planted on 11 hectares of land at a cost of about Rs 2 crore. By training farmers in plant care, pest control and advanced techniques, there has been a significant improvement in the productivity and quality of the gardens.

*55 thousand plantations this year
Dr. Bhardwaj says that in the year 2024-25, 17 thousand high quality guava plants have been planted on 15 hectares of land under Bangana development block. At the same time, in the year 2025-26, work is being done to plant 55 thousand guava, seasonal and malta plants on 50 hectares of land.

*Emphasis on development of strong network of irrigation facilities
The Deputy Director of Horticulture said that under the project, work is going on on 7 irrigation schemes worth Rs 15.25 crore with the help of Jal Shakti Department to provide 100% irrigation facility to the farmers. This includes facilities like lift drinking water schemes, renovation of old irrigation systems and check dams. Along with this, development of cluster land for planting fruit trees, high quality fruit trees, composite fencing, drip irrigation work etc. are also being done on 100% subsidy under the project.

*Record plantation in Bangana
On the other hand, Horticulture Development Officer Bangana, Virendra Kumar says that in July and August this year, 9 groups have planted 45,953 guava and malta plants on 40 hectares of land in the block. 386 farmers have got direct benefit from this campaign. The department is encouraging farmers to adopt horticulture as a profitable and sustainable business by providing technical guidance, training and resources along with plantation.

* Widespread impact across the state, 15 thousand families will be benefited
It is noteworthy that Chief Minister Thakur Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu had formally launched the HP Shiva project in a state-level program organized in Bisalpur in December 2024 on the occasion of completion of two years of the state government. Through this, work is being done to empower small and marginal farmers economically by giving priority to them. Under this project at the state level, Rs 1292 crore will be spent by the year 2028. The target is to bring about 6,000 hectares of land of a total of 28 development blocks across the state under the purview of horticulture. More than 15,000 families of Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Kangra, Mandi, Sirmaur, Solan and Una districts will benefit from this project.

*What does the District Magistrate say
Una District Magistrate Jatin Lal says that as per the instructions of Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu, effective implementation of HP Shiva Project is being ensured in the district. Through the Horticulture Department, it is being ensured that farmers get full assistance at every level from plantation to irrigation and marketing. Our effort is that through this scheme, not only the income of farmers should increase, but new opportunities of employment and entrepreneurship should be created for the youth in the horticulture sector.