Strengthening Rural Economy is a Key Focus of the State Government: CM Sukhu.
CM Meets Delegations from National Rural Livelihood Mission and ‘Pashu Evam Krishi Sakhi Sangh’; Announces Hike in MSP for Natural Farming Produce.
Shimla:
In a significant step toward empowering rural communities and boosting agricultural sustainability, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu reaffirmed the State Government’s commitment to strengthening the rural economy. Chairing a meeting today with delegations from the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) and the Himachal Pradesh ‘Pashu Evam Krishi Sakhi Sangh’, the Chief Minister highlighted a series of progressive initiatives aimed at supporting farmers and women-led self-help groups.
Emphasizing the government’s thrust on promoting natural farming, CM Sukhu revealed that for the first time, the State has introduced Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for produce cultivated using natural methods. The MSP for maize has been raised from Rs. 30 to Rs. 40 per kg, while wheat’s MSP has been hiked from Rs. 40 to Rs. 60 per kg. This move is expected to benefit lakhs of farmers across Himachal Pradesh.
Furthering the state’s commitment to organic and sustainable agriculture, CM Sukhu announced that the government will soon start procuring raw turmeric at Rs. 90 per kg. This initiative will promote turmeric cultivation under the brand name ‘Himachali Haldi’, reinforcing its identity and value in national markets.
“To date, over 1.58 lakh farmers practicing natural farming have been certified in the state. This is a proud milestone and a testament to our efforts to make agriculture more sustainable and profitable,” the Chief Minister noted.
In a move to bolster rural women’s economic empowerment, CM Sukhu also spoke about the recently launched e-commerce platform ‘Him-Ira’, which enables the online sale of products made by women self-help groups (SHGs). The platform, he said, is rapidly gaining recognition, with Him-Ira products finding buyers not only within the state but also in other parts of India.
The Chief Minister gave a patient hearing to the concerns and demands of the delegations and assured them that their issues would be addressed sympathetically, with necessary actions being taken in due course.
The meeting underlined the State Government’s multi-pronged approach to economic upliftment in rural areas, especially through the promotion of natural farming, better price support, and digital platforms for rural entrepreneurship.
