ACTIVITIES 1

(iv) EXTENSION AND ADVISORY SERVICE:-

A. For advisory services in fruit plant nutrition, three Plant Tissue Analysis Laboratories have been established at Shimla, Kullu and Dharmshala in which around 10000 to 13000 plant issue samples are analyzed annually for the diagnosis of the nutritional disorders and recommendations for dosages for fertilizer application. This has helped the orchardists in making judicious use of chemical fertilizers.

B. The supply of the pesticides is arranged through 337 sales outlsets established in the fruit growing areas by the Department. Every year around 2.25 lakh hectare area is covered under plant protection activities and the pesticides for the same (technical grade material) are distributed to the farmers every year. A Biological Control Laboratory to decrease the chemical use in pests control has also been established at Shimla.

C. The horticulture extension services have been strengthened up to the grass root level.In addition, the program relating to the farmers training, demonstrations, fruit shows, exhibitions, seminars and workshops are organized for the dissemination of the technical know how to the farmers.

(v) ANCILLARY HORTICULTURE ACTIVITY :-

A.BEEKEEPING-For the development of beekeeping, 32 Beekeeping Stations have

been established all over the State for providing technical know how to the farmers in commercial beekeeping. About 1256 bee colonies are maintained in these Stations for multiplication and supply to the farmers. Two bee breeding multiplication centers have also been promoted in the private sector. Ag-marking laboratories for honey have been established one at Hatkoti (Shimla District) and other at Chaitru (Kangra District.)

B.FLORICULTURE-For the promotion of floriculture, seven floriculture nurseries have

been established at various places for multiplication and supply of floriculture planting material. One Model Floriculture Center has been established at Mahog Bag, Chail (Solan) to serve as a training center in commercial floriculture.

C.MUSHROOM CULTIVATION-For the development of mushroom cultivation, the Department of Horticulture has established four Mushroom Compost Manufacturing Units at Chambaghat (Solan), Palampur Baijnath (Kangra distt.) and Bajuara (Kullu distt.). In addition, about thirty Mushroom Compost Manufacturing Units are in operation in the private sector.

(vi) INTRODUCTION OF NEW TECHNOLOGIES:

The Department of Horticulture, Himachal Pradesh is taking necessary steps for the introduction of new technologies like micro irrigation, protected cover cultivation, use of bio-fertilizers in horticulture, improved horticultural tools, implements and machinery, field diagnostic facilities for the diagnosis of the pathological and nutritional disorders.

(vii) WBCIS FOR APPLE & MANGO:

Subject: -Pilot Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme (WBCIS) for Apple and Mango crops -Notification of crops and unit areas for Rabi,2009-10 season.

Sir,

It is to inform that the Govt. of India, Ministry of Agriculture, Department of Agriculture Cooperation, Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi vide their letter No.13011/ 01 / 2008- Credit-II dated the 11^thSeptember, 2009 has accorded and issued its Administrative Approval / Instructions for the implementation of thePilot Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme(WBCIS)on existing pattern during Rabi, 2009-10 season, as per the term conditions contained in the scheme.The Agriculture Insurance Company of India Ltd. (AIC), will be theImplementing Agency (IA) of this Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme (WBCIS) as decidedby the Govt. of HP.

As decided by the State Level Coordination Committee on Crop Insurance (SLCCCI) in its meeting held on 08.10.2009 at 4.00 P.M. under the Chairmanship of the Secretary (Horticulture & Agriculture) to the Govt. of Himachal Pradesh, the Pilot Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme (WBCIS) in Theog, Jubbal, Narkanda, Rohru and Chirgaon blocks of Shimla district Ani block of Kullu district for Apple crop and in Fatehpur, Nurpur, Indora and Nagrota Surian blocks of Kangra district for Mango crop will be implemented during Rabi 2009-10 on the following conditions:-