Himachal Pradesh to Adopt Natural Farming Across All Agriculture Department Farms: CM Announces Major Push.
Shimla:
In a significant move to promote sustainable agricultural practices, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced today that the state government will implement natural farming across all farms under the Agriculture Department. This initiative is expected to engage one lakh farmer families within a year, marking a major step towards boosting the state’s agricultural productivity through eco-friendly methods.
While chairing a review meeting of the Agriculture Department, CM Sukhu reiterated the government’s commitment to promoting natural farming across Himachal Pradesh. He instructed officials to map out farmers currently practicing natural farming, particularly those cultivating wheat and maize, and focus efforts on expanding these practices statewide.
One of the key developments highlighted was the plan to transform all state-run agricultural farms into hubs for natural farming. By next year, these farms will be fully developed to support the production of seeds specifically for natural farming. To complement this effort, the government will establish high-tech storage facilities for storing wheat and maize produced through natural farming techniques.
The Chief Minister also shared plans to integrate data on natural farming practitioners at the block level, which will be incorporated into the Him Parivar database. This data-driven approach aims to enhance the effectiveness of natural farming initiatives while providing support to farmers across the state.
In addition, the government is considering setting up a solar power plant in Tal, Hamirpur, to further promote sustainable farming practices. Sukhu emphasized the need for a natural treatment approach to disease management in crops grown through natural farming methods, and directed the establishment of a laboratory for testing soil and seeds. Furthermore, he proposed creating a certification process for natural farming seeds to ensure their authenticity and quality.
As part of the plan to strengthen the rural economy, the government also aims to open processing plants for turmeric and ginger. These initiatives are expected to create new opportunities for farmers and boost local economies. Additionally, the state is exploring the possibility of introducing dairy-based degree programs at Chaudhary Sarvan Kumar Agricultural University, Palampur, to encourage youth involvement in the dairy sector.
To enhance the marketing of natural farming products, the Chief Minister instructed the Agriculture Department to coordinate with e-commerce platforms, helping farmers reach wider markets.
During the meeting, it was reported that 3,989 quintals of maize grown through natural farming were purchased during the 2024-25 Kharif season, with a target of 8,050 quintals for the upcoming Rabi season.
Agriculture Minister Prof. Chander Kumar, Deputy Chief Whip Kewal Singh Pathania, MLA Sanjay Awasthi, Secretary to the CM Rakesh Kanwar, and other senior officials were present at the meeting, where discussions centered around implementing these ambitious initiatives for the benefit of the state’s farming community.
