From correspondents in Himachal Pradesh, India, 09:30 PM IST

The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Nabard) has sanctioned Rs.1.54 billion ($32.7 million) to Himachal Pradesh for constructing 16,500 poly-houses - polythene-covered greenhouses - in four years, Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal announced here Saturday.

The hill state had submitted a proposal to the bank to construct poly-houses in the state to motivate farmers to cultivate cash crops, Dhumal said.

He said 14.7 million square metre of agricultural land would be brought under the precision farming practice by constructing poly-houses, where off-season vegetables and other cash crops could be cultivated.

'The project would generate direct employment for 4,000 rural artisans and 6,000 self-employment avenues to the educated rural youth,' Dhumal said.

The poly-houses would enable vegetable cultivation even in extreme climatic conditions.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)