Dehradun: The Rural Development Department of Uttarakhand has taken significant strides to bolster the state’s economy and curb migration from rural areas. In a high-level review meeting chaired by Secretary, Rural Development, Dhiraj Singh Garbyal, detailed progress was assessed on key schemes including the Chief Minister’s Migration Prevention Scheme, Chief Minister’s Border Area Development Programme, and the centrally sponsored Vibrant Villages Programme. All Chief Development Officers (CDOs) from the districts participated, presenting their action plans for approved projects.
Secretary Garbyal directed that all schemes approved up to the previous year be prioritized and completed immediately. He emphasized, “The unit cost of proposed schemes must be determined strictly in accordance with departmental norms to ensure optimal utilization of resources and enhance scheme efficiency.”
Emphasis on Skill Gap Analysis for Skill Development
A major focus of the meeting was on employment and self-employment-oriented training for rural youth and members of Self-Help Groups (SHGs). Secretary Garbyal instructed all districts to propose training programs in line with the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF) standards, with strict adherence to the common cost norms set by the Ministry of Skill Development. Trainings feasible through Rural Self-Employment Training Institutes (RSETIs) should be proposed under RSETI, while specialized topics should be implemented through the Chief Minister’s Entrepreneurship School Scheme.
He stressed the immediate need for skill gap analysis across various sectors, including tourism and hospitality, retail services, information technology, healthcare, electronics, logistics, apparel, agriculture and horticulture, food processing, and green jobs. This analysis will help understand the aspirations of rural youth and market demands, enabling more targeted and industry-aligned training. Additionally, districts were asked to collect data on unemployed youth from the Employment Department to make the gap analysis more effective and robust.
Youth unemployment remains a serious challenge in Uttarakhand, particularly in hilly districts. Recent data from July-September 2025 indicates an unemployment rate of 8.9% in the state (for individuals aged 15 and above), higher than the national average of 5.2%. Initiatives like skill gap analysis are expected to bridge mismatches between local industry needs and youth skills, reducing unemployment and strengthening the rural economy.
‘House of Himalayas’ Brand: Revolution in Agricultural Exports
The meeting placed special emphasis on exporting agricultural and horticultural products under the ‘House of Himalayas’ brand. Secretary Garbyal directed all districts to advance farming under the Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) to achieve certification under the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) and international standards (NOP). He clarified that exports are not possible without NPOP/NOP certification, urging districts to initiate pilot projects at block or cluster levels adhering to these standards.
Districts were instructed to submit lists of villages/clusters practicing PGS and NPOP-compliant agriculture/horticulture for regular monitoring, enabling pilot exports under the ‘House of Himalayas’ brand.
Launched in 2023 during the Uttarakhand Global Investor Summit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and further operationalized with the establishment of House of Himalayas Ltd in April 2024, this umbrella brand promotes authentic, high-altitude, organic products such as Himalayan red rice, pulses, essential oils, spices, honey, and value-added items. It empowers women-led enterprises and local artisans by providing training, branding, and quality assurance. By 2025, the brand had made significant progress, with outlets at Dehradun Airport and other locations, participation in international fairs like Gulfood, and plans for expansion into markets in the US and Middle East. The initiative aligns with ‘Vocal for Local’ and aims to double farmers’ income while promoting sustainable rural livelihoods.
Secretary, Rural Development, Dhiraj Singh Garbyal, stated, “This initiative will not only strengthen regional agriculture but also make Uttarakhand’s products competitive in global markets. Active participation from districts is essential.”
Integrated Development in Border Areas
Under the Vibrant Villages Programme and Border Area Development Scheme, districts were directed to prepare integrated plans incorporating tourism along with agriculture, horticulture, and animal husbandry. The Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP), a central initiative, covers 51 villages in Uttarakhand under Phase-I (primarily along the India-China border in districts like Uttarkashi, Chamoli, and Pithoragarh), with additional villages under Phase-II (including 40 near the India-Nepal border). The programme focuses on infrastructure, livelihoods, tourism, and preventing migration while enhancing border security. Districts were asked to submit revised action plans for approval within the next week.
The meeting was attended by Additional Secretary Anuradha Pal, Joint Development Commissioner Sanjay Singh, Project Management Officer Dr. Prabhakar Bebni, and all Chief Development Officers.
This meeting could prove to be a milestone for Uttarakhand’s rural development. Through skill development, organic certification, and branding efforts, not only will migration be curbed, but rural youth will gain local opportunities, propelling the state’s economy onto the global stage. These schemes align with sustainable development goals, balancing faith, nature, and livelihoods.