Himachal Pradesh Sets Ambitious 2026 Target for Natural Farming Expansion
In a significant push towards sustainable agriculture, the Himachal Pradesh government has announced an ambitious goal to bring one lakh farmers under natural farming practices by the year 2026. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu made this declaration on Tuesday, emphasizing the state's commitment to promoting eco-friendly and cost-effective agricultural methods.
Widespread Adoption and Current Progress
The state's agriculture department is actively encouraging farmers to transition to natural farming, a method that significantly reduces input costs while enhancing profitability. So far, an impressive 2.22 lakh farmer and horticulturist families across Himachal Pradesh have already embraced this sustainable approach.
Natural farming practices have achieved remarkable penetration, reaching 99.3% of panchayats and being implemented on 38,437 hectares of agricultural land. Over two lakh farmers engaged in natural farming have been officially registered, with 1.98 lakh of them having received certification for their adherence to these practices.
Prakritik Kheti Khushhal Kisan Yojana: The Framework for Change
Under the flagship Prakritik Kheti Khushhal Kisan Yojana, the state government is systematically discouraging the use of chemical inputs while promoting indigenous resources. The scheme specifically encourages:
- Utilization of cow dung and cow urine as natural fertilizers
- Application of local plant materials for pest control
- Crop diversification to enhance soil health
- Environmental conservation through reduced chemical usage
The primary objectives of this initiative include conserving the environment, encouraging crop diversification, and substantially reducing cultivation costs for farmers across the state.
Financial Incentives and Minimum Support Price Enhancements
To further incentivize the adoption of natural farming, Chief Minister Sukhu highlighted that Himachal Pradesh now offers the highest minimum support price (MSP) in the country for naturally grown produce. The state has implemented substantial MSP increases for several key crops:
- Wheat: Raised to Rs 80 per kilogram
- Maize: Increased to Rs 50 per kilogram
- Barley from Pangi Valley: Set at Rs 80 per kilogram
- Turmeric: Now at Rs 150 per kilogram
- Ginger: Recently included under MSP at Rs 30 per kilogram
In a landmark development, the Pangi sub-division has been declared the state's first fully natural farming sub-division, setting a precedent for other regions to follow.
Dairy Sector Support and Economic Significance
The government has also extended its support to the dairy sector, increasing procurement prices for both cow milk and buffalo milk. Cow milk procurement prices have been raised to Rs 61 per litre, while buffalo milk now commands Rs 71 per litre.
Chief Minister Sukhu emphasized that agriculture remains central to Himachal Pradesh's economy, supporting a majority of the rural population and contributing significantly to the state's gross domestic product. The comprehensive approach to natural farming represents a strategic investment in both environmental sustainability and economic resilience for the state's agricultural community.
The 2026 target of bringing one lakh additional farmers under natural farming practices demonstrates the state government's long-term commitment to transforming Himachal Pradesh into a model for sustainable agriculture in India.
