HP First State in the country to introduce MSP for natural farming produce
Himachal Pradesh remained centre of attraction in ‘Manthan Baithak’ on co-operatives held recently in New Delhi, as Union Home and Co-operative Minister Amit Shah showered praises for the State and the initiatives of Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu for taking a lead in promoting natural farming in a big way which has set an example for the rest of the country. The co-operative Ministers from all the State’s participated in the meet.
“Himachal mein Natural Farming mein bahut achay experiments hue hain”, stated Amit Shah. He appreciated the efforts made by Himachal Pradesh and said that the experiments undertaken to promote natural farming in Himachal were laudable.
Thousands of farmers have shifted towards natural farming in the State with special emphasis being laid to strengthen the rural economy as more than 80 percent population of Himachal resides in the rural areas with agriculture, horticulture and animal husbandry as the mainstay for livelihood.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh has stated that an ascending trend has been observed in the State where farmers and horticulturists have been increasingly drawn towards natural farming. Over 2,23,000 farmers and horticulturists have adopted chemical-free farming either partially or fully in almost all the Panchayats of the State.
He stated that with this decision, Himachal Pradesh has become the first State in the Country to promote natural farming by providing MSP for various crops grown through this method.
The Chief Minister said that last year, an MSP of Rs. 30 per kilogram was fixed for maize which now has been further to Rs. 40 per kilogram. So far, the government has procured around 400 metric tons of maize from 1,509 farmers at the support price. Similarly, the wheat is being procured at an MSP of Rs. 60 per kilogram and the government has to announced an MSP of Rs. 90 on raw turmeric grown through natural farming techniques which will be processed and marketed under the brand name ‘Himachal Haldi’. The state government has set a target to connect 9.61 lakh farmers with the natural farming in a phased manner.
In another major initiative, the state government has declared the Pangi Sub-Division in Chamba district as the state’s first natural farming sub-division aimed at preserving traditional farming practices, enhancing food security and promoting sustainable livelihoods in the remote tribal valley. This decision has brought a sense of pride and hope among farmers of the area, many of whom have already begun adopting natural farming techniques as currently around 2,244 farmer families are actively practicing chemical-free farming in the valley. The government now plans to transition all 2,920 hectares of cultivated land, covering agriculture, horticulture, and other farming areas, to 100 percent natural farming.
This initiative will also encourage tribal entrepreneurship, preserve heirloom seed varieties, and celebrate the region’s rich agro-cultural heritage. This step will fetch fair and remunerative prices for the hard working farmers of the valley who earlier were forced to lease out their land for cultivation while living outside Pangi.
To facilitate the sale of produce under natural farming, designated spaces are being developed in 10 market yards with the necessary infrastructure. Under the Prakritik Kheti-Khushal Kisan Yojana, in the fiscal year 2023–24 and 2024–25, expenditure of Rs. 27.60 crore was incurred.
