Shimla, Dec 27 (IANS): Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh Saturday asked farmers in the state to go for off-season and exortic vegetable cultivation and water harvesting.

Addressing public meetings in Shimla district, he said: "Farmers should go for off-season and exortic vegetable cultivation."

He also asked them to construct check-dams for storing rainwater. "Owing to water scarcity in the area, the construction of check dams has become necessary."

He remembered the contribution of former prime ministers Jawaharlal Nehru and Atal Bihari Vajpayee and state's first chief minister Y.S. Parmar in development of the state.

The chief minister performed foundation stones and inaugurations worth Rs.120 crore on his day-long visit to the Shimla rural assembly, his constituency.

Stressing on strengthening the health sector, Singh said more health sub centres and primary health centres would be opened in his constituency.

State Youth Congress president Vikramaditya Singh urged the chief minister to get early completion of the cricket stadium at Katasani, which would be one of the best cricket stadia of the state.