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In the presence of Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force and Uttarakhand Horticultural Council to ensure supply of local products (fresh fruits and vegetables) to the contingents of Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force (ITBP) deployed in Uttarakhand under the ‘Vibrant Village Programme’ at the CM residence on Wednesday.

Chief Minister Dhami described this Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Uttarakhand Horticultural Council and ITBP as an important step towards the overall development of the farmers, local producers and border areas of the state.

He said that through this agreement, local supply of fresh fruits and vegetables to the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel deployed in the state will be ensured. On one hand, this will provide quality and nutritious food items to our soldiers, while on the other hand, farmers of the state will be able to get fair prices for their produce.

CM Dhami further said that this initiative will strengthen the resolve of the state government to ‘promote local products’ and provide a strong and sustainable platform to farmers for marketing their produce. Under this arrangement, supply of local products will be ensured in remote and border areas like Chamoli, Uttarkashi, Pithoragarh and Champawat as well as in Dehradun.

The Chief Minister said that this agreement will be helpful in strengthening the economic condition of farmers in marginal areas and will also provide relief from the difficulties they face in reaching the market. The state government is fully committed to protecting the interests of farmers and the welfare of our soldiers. This agreement will prove beneficial for both parties.

Under the Vibrant Village Programme, an agreement has already been signed between Uttarakhand Government and ITBP for the purchase of local products, which has yielded very good results. Till now ITBP has purchased local products worth Rs 14 crore 77 lakh, work is being done to further increase it. If ITBP in Uttarakhand also purchases 25 percent of fruits and vegetables of the annual demand, then local farmers will earn an income of about Rs 6 crore.