Uttarakhand Mahak Kranti Niti

About 'Uttarakhand Mahak Kranti Niti'

Uttarakhand facing several challenges in traditional agriculture, such as damage caused by wild animals, rainfed farming, problems related to steep slopes, excessive distance between villages and agricultural fields, land erosion, and other constraints. As a result, many farmers are abandoning agriculture and migrating elsewhere in search of livelihood opportunities.

In view of the suitability of aromatic crops in the State and their increasing adoption, there is a need to formulate a comprehensive policy encompassing all related aspects so that aromatic farming can be established as a revolution in Uttarakhand. To promote large scale cultivation of aromatic crops in the state, The Government of Uttarakhand has launched 'Uttarakhand Mahak Kranti Niti' which will be implemented by Centre for Aromatic Plants, Selquai. The objective of this Policy is to promote the production of selected aromatic crops in the State and enhance farmers’ income through this policy by strengthening the entire value chain.

The 'Uttarakhand Mahak Kranti Niti' aims:

• To expand the aromatic crop sector by Development of  7 Aroma Valley  &  6 Satellite Centres various  in districts across Uttarakhand

• Coverage target ~22,750 hectares Ha under aromatic crops in first phase

• Promotion of  high-value crops and best practices to boost farmers’ income benefiting over 91,000 farmers.

• Bulk Production of Aromatic Produce 

• The policy offers substantial subsidies, on nursery development, setup costs, processing, branding, and packaging, making it easier for farmers and entrepreneurs to engage in the sector.

Subsidy Pattern:

a.     Cultivation:

§  80% on setup cost to farmers cultivating in upto 1ha

§   50% on setup cost to farmers cultivating in more than 1ha

§   Cooperative societies, self-help groups, and companies can cultivate up to 30 acres, but subsidy will be provided only up to a maximum of 10 acres at the rate of 50%.

b.     Nursery development: 50% on establishment cost of INR 30 lakh per hectare

c.      Processing and value addition: 80% on establishment cost of INR 15 lakh per unit

d.     Packaging and branding: 80% on packaging and branding cost of upto INR 25,000.

Selected Districts and Aroma Valleys:

Satellite Centres : 

6 Crop Specific Satellite centres are being established for providing door step facilities  to farmers and entrepreneursand to support development of Aroma Valleys

Facilities Provided at Satellite Centres: 

• Training
• Hi Tech Nursery  for  Quality Planting Material,
• Processing Facilities
• Marketing

Benefits from 'Uttarakhand Mahak Kranti Niti'

Economic benefits –

• Turnover of aromatic crops to  grow from ~INR 100 Cr to ~INR 1,1709 Cr in the next 10-11 years.
• Benefiting 91000 farmers
• Creation of More 2.2 crore Mandays

Social benefits

• New employment opportunities will be created through aroma cultivation on a large scale and local youth will get employment. This will prove effective in stopping migration in the state.
• In the hilly areas of Uttarakhand, where farmers are abandoning farming due to wild animals and non-irrigated farming, they will get a new option in the form of farming of aromatic crops.

Environmental benefits

• Cultivation of aromatic crops is important in reducing the environmental impacts caused by greenhouse gas emissions. Aromatic crop cultivation can also help in carbon sequestration.
• Cultivation of aromatic crops is important to deal with these problems. The extensive roots of aromatic crops hold the soil in place, and due to their spreading nature (Large Canopy), aromatic crops are also effective in preventing surface runoff.

Industrial benefits

• Presently cinnamon and Timur are dependent on imports. Foreign exchange will be saved through import substitution.
• More than 450 small scale industries will be established related to small processing and distillation plants at the local level through aromatic crops.