Two millet procurement centers established in Chamba

Himachal Pradesh: To promote millet cultivation in the district, Himachal Pradesh State Civil Supplies Corporation in collaboration with the state agriculture department has set up three procurement centres for the purchase of millet crops grown in the region. One centre each has been opened in Tissa and Salooni areas of Churah subdivision, where millet crop is grown on a large scale. Chamba Deputy Director Agriculture Kuldeep Dhiman said that this Kharif season, the department has provided about 25 quintals of seeds to farmers at 80 per cent subsidy as part of its initiative to promote the cultivation of millets including Kodra (finger millet), Kutki (small millet) and Kauni (foxtail millet). He said that Kodra crop in the region will be ready for harvesting in a few days. To ensure that farmers get a fair price for their produce, Himachal Pradesh State Civil Supplies Corporation Limited has set up two government procurement centres at Salooni and Tissa. This year, Kodra will be purchased from farmers at the rate of Rs 4,290 per quintal fixed by the government.