Have Nearly 223,000 Growers in Himachal Pradesh Adopted Natural Farming?

Shimla, May 25 (NationPress) Over 223,000 farmers and horticulturists in Himachal Pradesh have embraced natural farming, either partially or fully, across nearly all panchayats, as reported by the government on Sunday.

The government is dedicated to exploring avenues for additional income for farmers, ensuring equitable prices for their produce, supplying quality seeds, and enhancing irrigation facilities. Additionally, they are offering crop insurance and advancing agricultural research.

In a pioneering initiative, the government has endorsed natural farming by instituting a minimum support price (MSP) for various crops cultivated through this sustainable method.

Last year, an MSP of Rs 30 per kg was established for maize, which brought joy to farmers and inspired them to adopt chemical-free farming on a larger scale. This year, the MSP for maize has been raised from Rs 30 to Rs 40 per kg for the 2025-26 cycle. To date, approximately 400 metric tonnes of maize have been procured from 1,509 farmers at the MSP.

Meanwhile, the procurement for wheat is ongoing in the state, with an MSP set at Rs 60 per kg.

Given the enthusiasm from farmers for natural farming, the government has also announced an MSP of Rs 90 for raw turmeric. From this fiscal year, the government will provide an MSP for raw turmeric that will be processed and marketed under the brand name 'Himachal Haldi'.

The government aims to connect 9.61 lakh farmers with natural farming in phases.

To facilitate the sale of produce from natural farming, designated infrastructure is being developed in 10 market yards. Under the Prakritik Kheti Khushal Yojana, Rs 27.60 crore has been allocated for the years 2023-24 and 2024-25, with a current budget of Rs 7.28 crore.

A high-level committee, chaired by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, has been established to provide crucial guidance under this scheme.

A special task force led by the Chief Secretary is overseeing the implementation and monitoring.

To further motivate farmers towards natural farming, the government is offering various subsidies, including Rs 750 per drum, with a cap of Rs 2,250 for drum purchases.

Assistance of Rs 8,000 is provided for constructing concrete floors in cowsheds and for creating a pit to collect cow urine.

A subsidy of 50% up to Rs 25,000 is offered for purchasing indigenous cows, along with an additional Rs 5,000 for transportation.

An additional benefit of natural farming is the concept of zero-budget farming, which significantly reduces input costs, thereby enhancing farmers' income and improving their standard of living.

Crops cultivated using natural methods are more nutritious, and the lack of chemicals helps maintain the soil's fertility and quality as well.