Himachal Pradesh is seeing more farmers switch to natural farming. This is a method that avoids chemicals. The State government is supporting this move with special policies. It’s a way to help farmers and protect the environment at the same time.
Sunil Kumar, a farmer from Kangra district, is happy with his earnings. He sold 25 quintals of turmeric for ₹2.25 lakh. The government paid him ₹90 per kilogram, which is more than what he got locally before. He used natural farming on his five bighas of land. Now, he plans to grow turmeric on eight bighas because it’s profitable. Mr. Kumar said natural farming has made his soil and plants healthier. He also gets better yields and profits compared to using chemicals.
Mr. Kumar started natural farming three years ago. He learned about it through the Prakritik Kheti Khushhal Kisan Yojana (PK3Y). This is a big scheme by the Himachal Pradesh government. It promotes farming without chemicals. So far, over 3 lakh farmers have been trained. More than 2 lakh farmers are now practising natural farming on about 38,000 hectares. A special tool called CETARA-NF helps certify these farmers. It’s a way for them to check their own progress.
Rishu Kumari, a trainer and farmer from Kangra, also shared her success. She sold 10 quintals of naturally grown wheat to a government agency for ₹60 a kilogram. Local markets were only paying ₹22 per kilogram. Ms. Kumari and other women farmers in her village work together. They plan to grow more wheat next season. The government’s promise of good prices and a market for their produce is a big help.
The Himachal Pradesh government is encouraging natural farming by offering Minimum Support Price (MSP) for certain crops. For naturally grown maize, the MSP is ₹40 per kg. For wheat, it’s ₹60 per kg. For raw turmeric, it’s ₹90 per kg. This helps farmers feel more confident about selling their crops. The government is also buying barley from farmers in the Pangi area at ₹60 per kg.
Government records show that the State has bought a lot of naturally grown maize and wheat. They have paid farmers millions of rupees. This includes payments for transport costs. Ms. Kumari said that natural farming makes farmers more independent. They can make their own farming inputs on their farms. This reduces their need to buy things from the market. The soil is better, crops grow well, and they can grow different types of crops.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said the goal is to promote sustainable agriculture. He believes natural farming is good for farmers and the environment. He noted that many farmers get sick from using chemical sprays. Natural farming produces chemical-free, healthy food. He also mentioned that the rise in cancer cases in Himachal Pradesh could be reduced by shifting to chemical-free farming.
“We have introduced the highest MSP in the country for naturally grown crops like maize, wheat, raw turmeric, and barley to motivate farmers,” Mr. Sukhu said. “We plan to bring more naturally grown crops under MSP to give it a further boost. Once farmers get good prices, they will certainly opt for it with interest.”
Farmers like Ramesh Chand from Mandi district are happy with the new MSP system. He said, “Obviously, we will grow the crop that earns us better profits. With the government now supporting us through MSP, it will build up a market for naturally grown crops.”
Natural farming is different from traditional farming. It does not use chemical fertilisers or pesticides. It uses old, local methods. These include using plant waste for mulch, and special mixes made from cow dung and urine. It also uses natural ways to control pests, like using different plants and avoiding chemicals. The focus is on improving soil health and using natural cycles. It also combines crops, trees, and animals to create a balanced farm ecosystem.