INDIAN STATE : HIMACHAL PRADESH

Major Industries

Agriculture

Agriculture is the main occupation of the people of Himachal Pradesh and has an important place in the economy of the state. It provides direct employment to 69 per cent of the total workers of the state. About 21 per cent of the total GSDP comes from agriculture and its allied sectors.

Rice, Wheat and Maize are important cereal crops of the State. Groundnut, soybean and sunflower in kharif and rapeseed/mustard and toria are important oilseed crops in the rabi season. Urd, bean, moong, rajmash in kharif season and gram in rabi are the important pulse crops of the state. Agro-climatically, the state can be divided into four zones viz., (i) Sub Tropical, sub-mountain and low hills, (ii) Sub Temperate, Sub Humid mid hills, (iii) Wet Temperate high hills, (iv) Dry Temperate high hills and cold deserts. The agro-climatic conditions are congenial for the production of cash crops like off-season vegetables, potato and ginger. The State Government is laying emphasis on production of off-season vegetables, potato, ginger, pulses and oilseeds besides increasing production of cereal crops, through timely and adequate supply of inputs, demonstration and effective dissemination of improved farm technology, replacement of old variety seeds, promoting integrated pest management, bringing more area under efficient use of water resources and implementation of wasteland development projects. There are four distinct seasons with respect to rainfall. Almost half of the rainfall is received during the Monsoon season and remaining is distributed among other seasons.

Agro based industries

Himachal Pradesh is predominately an agricultural state. The natural endowments like soil, land, water etc. are being harnessed in such a way that the cherished goals of ecological sustainability, and economic upliftment of farming community are achieved. About 18-20 per cent area is irrigated and rest is rain fed. Huge investment potential exists in the following fields:

Tea Plantation:

Management of tea factories and tea gardens.

Food Processing:

Maize is an important crop where surplus is available for processing. Under the state Industrial Policy, number of incentives are available to the investors in food processing industry. Processing industries of ginger, potato and vegetables in valley areas have great investment scope.

Seed Production:

The temperate climate of the state is quite suitable for production of disease free seed. The Government is encouraging private sector participation for exploitation of vast seed production potential.

Biotechnology

Himachal has the potential to develop various types of industries using raw material base of fruits, vegetables, high value cash crops and other naturally growing herbal plants. These industries can be in the following: bio-pharmaceuticals, phyto- chemicals, bio-prospecting, fermentation, post-harvest processing, bio-processing, pharmaceuticals, biochemical, genetically engineered micro-organisms, enzyme production, environment protection and animal husbandry etc.

Due to diversified environmental conditions, Himachal Pradesh has immense microbial diversity which needs further inputs for its meaningful exploration, documentation and using them for many industrial applications. Biotechnology as a tool has helped in recovery of degraded ecosystem. Some of the methods based on plant biotechnology include reforestation involving micro propagation and use of mycorrhizae. Micro propagation has resulted in increasing the plant cover and thus preventing erosion and giving a climatic stability. It also helps in rejuvenation of degraded land, which is in plenty in Himachal and to stop genetic erosion by Lantana and other weeds.

Himachal has tremendous potential in horticultural sector. The state needs immediate replacement of old orchard with high yielding disease free fresh planting stock. Biotechnology can play important role by use of micro propagated plants. With this the industries for cider, vinegar, wine and juice can come up to international standard. The horticulture sector also needs a facelift using hi-tech biotechnological interventions at nursery, orchard, post harvest, processing, packaging and marketing stages. The Horticulture Technology Mission launched in the State will prove to be a major milestone in strengthening the developmental activities through technological inputs.

In agriculture sector there is need for diversification of farming for economic rehabilitation and self-sufficiency. High yielding improved crop verities and transgenic especially stress tolerant (cold, rain fed conditions), biofertilzers, biopesticides etc. are other areas where Biotechnology can play major role.

Tourism

Tourism has been recognized as one of the most important/significant sectors of the economy in Himachal Pradesh and has been recognized as a major engine of growth for future. The state has a natural advantage for the development of tourism as an industry. It is endowed with geographical and cultural diversity, clean, peaceful and beautiful environment owing to its forests, lakes, mountains, rivers and rivulets, sacred shrines, historic monuments and the friendly and hospitable people.

Tourism industry has been given very high priority and the government has developed appropriate infrastructure for its development, which includes provision of public utility services, roads, communication network, airports, transport facilities, water supply, civic amenities, etc.

Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation Limited (HPTDC) is encouraging the private sector to invest in tourism related projects on BOT basis.