To promote sustainable agriculture, the Himachal Pradesh Government on Sunday announced that it will procure chemical-free wheat and maize from farmers at a minimum support price (MSP) of Rs 40 and Rs 30 per kg, respectively. This initiative offers the highest procurement prices in the country for these crops.
A government spokesperson highlighted that the Rajiv Gandhi Natural Farming Startup scheme, introduced in the Budget with an allocation of Rs 50 crore, aimed at significantly boosting the farmers’ incomes. The scheme’s first phase seeks to involve around 36,000 farmers in natural farming, encouraging 10 farmers from each panchayat to adopt chemical-free practices.
Currently, 178,643 farming and horticultural families have transitioned to natural farming. The government’s goal is to connect 9.61 lakh families with natural farming practices. During the 2023-2024 period, Rs 1,275.31 lakh was spent under the scheme, benefiting 37,087 farmers and converting 13,176 hectares to natural farming.
To support these efforts, 10 markets have been designated for selling natural farming products, with ongoing infrastructure development. To ensure transparency between farmers and consumers, over 76,000 farmers have been registered for natural farming, and 74,283 have been issued certificates.
Additionally, the State Government is providing up to Rs 10,000 for the establishment of natural farming resource centers in each village, further supporting the transition to sustainable agricultural practices — underscoring the state’s commitment to fostering an environmentally-friendly and economically-beneficial farming sector.
