How are 222,893 farmers in Himachal cultivating crops naturally?

Shimla, Sep 16 (NationPress) In Himachal Pradesh, a total of 222,893 farmers are engaged in natural crop cultivation across 3,584 panchayats on 38,437 hectares, achieving a sustainable livelihood through the highest Minimum Support Price (MSP), as reported by the Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu government on Tuesday.

The state has trained 3.06 lakh farmers and horticulturists in natural farming practices, aiming to onboard an additional one lakh farmers this financial year. So far, 59,068 farmers and horticulturists from 88 development blocks have registered with the Agriculture Department.

Motivated by these initiatives, farmers are successfully growing chemical-free crops and receiving fair compensation for their harvests.

“Our focus is on enhancing the rural economy. Over the past two-and-a-half years, we have rolled out numerous schemes aimed at empowering farmers, boosting their income, and elevating their living standards. With nearly 90 percent of Himachal Pradesh’s population residing in villages, agriculture remains their primary occupation. Our policies are crafted to ensure financial benefits reach rural communities,” stated an official comment from Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu.

The Himachal government is offering MSP of Rs 40 per kg for maize, Rs 60 per kg for wheat, Rs 90 per kg for raw turmeric, and Rs 60 per kg for barley sourced from the Pangi region.

To further assist farmers, the state has launched a Natural Farming-Based Sustainable Food System, establishing Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs) with equal funding support from the government and NABARD. To date, seven FPCs have been formed in Himachal Pradesh.

The government is actively promoting products cultivated through natural farming under the 'Him-Bhog' brand, ensuring consumers receive nutritious and chemical-free produce.

In the previous season, 399 metric tonnes of maize were procured from 1,509 farmers in 10 districts, with a total distribution of Rs 1.40 crore to them.

This year, the government has acquired 2,123 quintals of wheat from 10 districts, transferring Rs 1.31 crore to farmers through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

Moreover, 127.2 quintals of naturally grown raw turmeric from six districts have also been purchased, resulting in a payment of Rs 11.44 lakh to the farmers.

To promote transparency in the sale of natural produce, the government has implemented an innovative self-certification system known as the certified evaluation tool for agricultural resource analysis -- natural farming (CETARA-NF), with 196,892 farmers currently certified.