Uttarakhand promotes Rudraksh farming to curb out‑migration

Uttarakhand authorities have launched a programme that promotes the cultivation of Rudraksh, a plant revered in Hindu tradition, as a means to generate local employment. The initiative is presented as a spiritual solution to the long‑standing issue of people leaving the hills for jobs elsewhere.

Officials say that by supporting farmers to grow Rudraksh, the state hopes to create a niche agricultural sector that can fetch premium prices in domestic and international markets. The plant’s religious significance is expected to attract buyers from temples and spiritual retailers, providing a steady income stream for cultivators.

The programme aims to stem out‑migration by offering an alternative to traditional subsistence farming, which has become less viable in many remote areas. While details of subsidies or training are being finalised, the government expects the venture to gradually reduce the exodus of youth from the region.