Shimla: The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) is set to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Himachal Pradesh govt to procure locally produced farm and allied products, including vegetables, fruits, milk, paneer, meat and trout fish.Under the proposed arrangement, the paramilitary force will directly source produce from farmers, cooperative societies and local producers, creating a steady institutional market for rural communities.Chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu discussed the proposal with senior ITBP officials, including IG Manu Maharaj and DIG Pawan Kumar Negi, and said the initiative would help strengthen the rural economy and promote self-employment, especially in remote and border areas.Officials said the model had already shown encouraging results in Uttarakhand, and expressed confidence that it would work effectively in Himachal as well.The initiative is expected to improve farmers’ incomes by reducing dependence on intermediaries and expanding market access closer to their villages.It is also likely to generate livelihood opportunities for farmers, horticulturists and rural households, particularly in border regions.
