Amit Shah Lauds Himachal’s Natural Farming Push; State Becomes First in India to Offer MSP for Organic Produce.
New Delhi/Shimla:
Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah praised Himachal Pradesh’s leadership in natural farming, applauding the bold steps taken under Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu to promote chemical-free agriculture across the hill state. Himachal became a focal point during the recent ‘Manthan Baithak’ on Cooperatives held in New Delhi, attended by Cooperation Ministers from all states.
“Himachal mein natural farming mein bahut achhe experiments hue hain (Himachal has conducted excellent experiments in natural farming),” said Amit Shah during the conference. He highlighted the State’s innovative approach and termed it a model worth emulating nationwide.
Himachal – A Natural Farming Pioneer
CM Sukhu informed that more than 2.23 lakh farmers and horticulturists in the state have already adopted chemical-free farming, either partially or fully, in nearly all Panchayats. This shift has been encouraged as part of the State’s broader mission to revive the rural economy, where over 80% of the population is dependent on agriculture, horticulture, and animal husbandry.
In a landmark move, Himachal Pradesh has become the first state in the country to offer Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops grown using natural farming methods.
- MSP for maize has been raised from Rs. 30/kg last year to Rs.40/kg this year.
- Around 400 metric tons of maize has been procured so far from 1,509 farmers.
- Wheat is being purchased at an MSP of Rs. 60/kg.
- A new MSP of Rs. 90/kg has been announced for raw turmeric, to be marketed under the brand ‘Himachal Haldi’.
Pangi: Himachal’s First Natural Farming Subdivision
The State Government has declared Pangi Sub-Division in Chamba district as the first Natural Farming Sub-Division of Himachal. This bold initiative aims to:
- Preserve traditional farming practices
- Enhance food security
- Support sustainable livelihoods in this remote tribal region
So far, around 2,244 farmer families in the valley are practicing natural farming. The goal is to bring the entire 2,920 hectares of cultivated land in Pangi under 100% chemical-free farming.
This transformation is expected to revive tribal entrepreneurship, preserve heirloom seeds, and bring economic self-reliance to a region where landowners were earlier forced to lease out their lands while migrating for livelihood.
Marketing and Infrastructure Support
To enable better marketing of natural produce:
- Designated natural farming zones are being developed in 10 market yards with proper infrastructure.
- Under the Prakritik Kheti–Khushal Kisan Yojana, the state has already spent Rs. 27.60 crore during FY 2023–24 and 2024–25 for infrastructure, training, and outreach.
Future Roadmap
CM Sukhu said the government is committed to scaling the movement. A target of connecting 9.61 lakh farmers to natural farming has been set in a phased manner. The state’s efforts are being seen as a revolutionary model not just for environmental conservation, but also for strengthening rural incomes, ensuring fair pricing, and reducing dependency on chemical inputs.
Himachal’s pioneering policies in natural farming have now positioned it as a national leader in sustainable agriculture, setting benchmarks for other states to follow.
