The Chief Minister's Office of Uttarakhand on Sunday, 7 June 2026, spotlighted the Chaube brothers of Chhati Mankot village in Bageshwar district as an exemplary model of organic farming in the hill state, sharing a video of their work on the official CMO account.

The post, in Hindi, states: 'Bageshwar jile ke Chhati Mankot gaon ke Chaube bandhuo ne organic kheti se anukarneey udaharan pesh kiya hai' — 'The Chaube brothers of Chhati Mankot village in Bageshwar district have set an exemplary example through organic farming.'

Context

Bageshwar is a predominantly rural district in Uttarakhand's Kumaon division, where the economy is anchored in rain-fed and terrace agriculture on hilly terrain. Small and marginal farmers here have historically relied on traditional cultivation methods, making the shift to certified organic production both culturally resonant and economically significant.

The CMO's decision to feature the Chaube brothers by name — and to accompany the post with a video — signals an intent to use their story as a replicable template for other hill farming communities across the state.

Policy Backdrop

Uttarakhand has positioned itself as a leading organic-farming state since its formation in 2000, establishing dedicated certification and marketing infrastructure through the Uttarakhand Organic Commodity Board. The state has also been an active implementation ground for the central government's Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY), launched in 2015, which funds cluster-based organic conversion and links farmers to premium markets.

At the national level, the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (2010) incorporated organic and natural farming components specifically designed for ecologically sensitive Himalayan states. Together, these frameworks have provided financial support, training and market linkages to farmers willing to transition away from chemical inputs.

Stakeholder Impact

For hill farmers in districts like Bageshwar, organic certification opens access to premium domestic and export markets, offering a pathway to higher per-acre income without the capital-intensive input costs of conventional farming. The fragile Himalayan ecosystem also benefits directly: reduced chemical runoff protects river systems and soil biodiversity that underpin long-term agricultural viability.

The CMO's amplification of the Chhati Mankot model adds a layer of official endorsement that can accelerate peer adoption in neighbouring villages, particularly when paired with state horticulture or export-promotion programmes seeking certified organic supply clusters.

What's Next

Attention will now turn to whether the Bageshwar model is formally integrated into the state's organic certification pipeline and linked to export or e-commerce channels that can sustain farmer incomes beyond the initial conversion phase. Expansion of PKVY clusters in Kumaon and possible recognition of Chhati Mankot under state or national agri-innovation awards are among the developments to watch.

If the government follows through with institutional support, the Chaube brothers' example could anchor a broader organic belt in Bageshwar — demonstrating that climate-resilient, chemical-free agriculture in the Himalayas is both viable and scalable.