ITBP, HORTICULTURE COUNCIL SIGN PACT TO SOURCE FRUITS, VEGETABLES FROM BORDER DISTRICT

Dehradun: In a move aimed at strengthening the local economy in Uttarakhand's border areas, Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force and Uttarakhand Horticulture Council on Wednesday signed an MoU to supply fresh fruits and vegetables sourced locally to ITBP battalions deployed in the state under Vibrant Village Programme. The agreement extends an arrangement the two sides had already put in place for the supply of meat, fish and poultry, which, according to officials, had generated purchases worth Rs 14.7 crore.Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said the new MoU would support farmers, local producers and border districts by creating a more reliable market for their produce while also ensuring fresh supplies for security personnel posted in remote areas. "Through this agreement, the supply of fresh fruits and vegetables at the local level will be ensured for the ITBP jawans deployed in the state. On one hand, this will provide quality and nutritious food items to our jawans, while on the other hand, the state's farmers will be able to get fair prices for their produce," he said.Dhami said the arrangement would further the state's push to promote local products and give farmers a more stable platform to market what they grow. He said supplies under the pact would be sourced from remote and border areas such as Chamoli, Uttarkashi, Pithoragarh and Champawat, apart from Dehradun. He added that the agreement would help improve the economic condition of farmers in border regions by reducing some of the difficulties they face in accessing markets. He added that the state govt remained committed to protecting farmers' interests as well as the welfare of jawans.