Himachal Pradesh Signs MoU with Singapore-Based Proclime to Engage Farmers in Afforestation, Benefiting 50,000 Farmers. 

Shimla:

In a significant step towards climate action and sustainable development, the Himachal Pradesh Forest Department signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Singapore-based company Proclime today under the Him Evergreen Project. The signing ceremony was held in the presence of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu.

Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Sanjay Sood, signed the MoU on behalf of the state government, while Kavin Kumar Kandsamy, Chief Executive Officer of Proclime, represented the company. The project aims to engage the farming community in large-scale afforestation activities, integrating tree plantations on farmlands and field bunds, and is expected to benefit over 50,000 farmers across the state.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Sukhu highlighted that the afforestation and carbon credit initiative would strengthen climate resilience, improve farmer livelihoods, and support India’s long-term net-zero goals. He directed the Forest Department to provide financial assistance and handholding support to farmers for planting saplings. Farmers will benefit from carbon credits after five years, with 30 percent of the company’s profits shared with them.

The project will be implemented in three phases, enhancing green cover, improving soil health, reducing erosion, boosting on-farm biodiversity, and generating significant employment and income opportunities for the farming community.

The ceremony was attended by Secretary, Environment, Science, Technology and Climate Change Sushil Singhla, Technical Director of Proclime Samrat Sengupta, and other senior officials.