Himachal Pradesh Becomes India’s First State to Offer MSP for Natural Farming Products.
Shimla:
In a landmark move for sustainable agriculture, Himachal Pradesh has become the first state in India to offer a minimum support price (MSP) for products grown through natural farming practices. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced this initiative during a meeting with a delegation of scientists from the French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food, and Environment (INRAE).
The INRAE delegation, led by Prof. Allison Marie Loconto, is visiting Himachal Pradesh as part of a European Commission-funded project aimed at advancing agroecological crop protection. The team, which includes researchers Prof. Mireille Matt, Dr. Evelyne Lhoste, and Dr. Renee Van Dis, met with the Chief Minister to learn about the state’s advancements in natural farming.
Under the new scheme, Himachal Pradesh will offer MSP for various natural farming products: wheat at Rs. 40 per kg, maize at Rs. 30 per kg, cow milk at Rs. 45 per litre, and buffalo milk at Rs. 55 per litre. This initiative aims to support farmers and ensure fair prices for their produce.
The Chief Minister highlighted the state’s commitment to natural farming and its goal of becoming a leader in this sector within the next five to six years. The CETARA certification system, introduced to ensure fair pricing, and the HIM-UNNATI scheme, which aims to produce and certify chemical-free produce through a cluster-based approach involving 50,000 farmers, were also discussed.
The visiting scientists praised Himachal Pradesh’s efforts and expressed interest in exploring the CETARA certification system for potential adoption in other countries. The meeting was attended by several dignitaries, including Education Minister Rohit Thakur, Chief Parliamentary Secretary Sanjay Awasthy, and the Vice Chancellor of Dr. Y.S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Prof. Rajeshwar Chandel.
