U'khand to implement Saz as pilot project

Despite not getting cabinet approval, the Uttarakhand agriculture and horticulture departments are going ahead with their plans to implement some of the controversial provisions of the proposed agriculture policy that includes the Special Agriculture Zones (Sazs) for protecting farmland and achieving food security through integrated approach.

Making an announcement here today, Agriculture and Horticulture Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat said his departments had taken up the concept of Saz as a pilot project in three blocks —- Raipur in Dehra Dun district, Pokhra in Pauri and Kotabagh in Nainital.

The government has proposed setting up of self-employment units (Seus) like fisheries, tea gardens, dairy farming and horticulture-related activities. “Sazs are just like micro and small enterprises through which we are trying to protect our agriculture land and bring food security,” said Rawat. The government has already started identifying areas in this regard. However, Rawat said the government would also shortly announce the new agri-policy which clearly states that there should be no industrialisation on agriculture land in the state.