HP Government Boosts Rural Economy with Natural Crop Procurement and Dairy Incentives.
2,123 Quintals of Natural Wheat Purchased; Barley Procurement in Pangi Begins October 8.
Shimla:
In a significant step towards strengthening the rural economy and promoting natural farming, the Himachal Pradesh Government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, has announced a series of initiatives that are set to benefit farmers across the state.
A key development is the successful procurement of 2,123.587 quintals of naturally grown wheat from 838 farmers across Himachal Pradesh. The procurement, conducted through 22 designated centers, has ensured direct payments of Rs. 1.27 crore to farmers, along with Rs. 4.15 lakh as transport subsidy. The wheat is being processed into flour and porridge and will be sold under the state’s own ‘Him-Bhog’ brand, promoting chemical-free, healthy food options.
Building on this momentum, the state government is now turning its focus to Pangi Valley in Chamba district, where the procurement of naturally grown barley will commence on October 8, 2025. This is the first-ever government-supported procurement initiative in the remote and difficult terrain of Pangi. A Minimum Support Price (MSP) of Rs. 60 per kilogram has been fixed for barley, bringing a significant opportunity to local farmers.
According to a government spokesperson, the Agriculture Department has established five procurement centers at Hudan, Sechu, Sural, Killar, and Sach, and 80 farmers have already registered to participate in the initiative. This effort is aligned with the state’s broader goal of promoting natural farming and ensuring fair prices for chemical-free produce.
In addition to crop procurement, the government has launched two new schemes aimed at boosting the dairy sector and rural incomes:
- Under the Milk Incentive Scheme, farmers affiliated with registered milk cooperative societies will receive an incentive of Rs. 3 per litre of milk supplied.
- The Transport Subsidy Scheme will offer a Rs. 3 per litre subsidy to private milk societies for the collection and transportation of milk.
These two schemes have been launched initially in the Arki Assembly constituency of Solan district, and are expected to be extended to other regions in the future.
Chief Minister Sukhu emphasized that these initiatives are part of his government’s mission to empower rural communities by ensuring that more money flows directly into the hands of farmers. “Our focus is on making natural farming economically viable and encouraging chemical-free food production, which benefits both farmers and consumers,” he said.
The government’s commitment to MSPs for natural crops continues with fixed prices for:
- Wheat – Rs. 60/kg
- Maize – Rs. 40/kg
- Raw Turmeric – Rs. 90/kg
- Barley – Rs. 60/kg
These comprehensive efforts mark a new chapter in Himachal Pradesh’s rural development, making agriculture and dairy farming more sustainable, profitable, and environment-friendly.
