In a bid to promote natural farming, the Himachal Pradesh government has announced premium prices for crops grown using eco-friendly methods. The government will procure naturally grown wheat at ₹60 per kilogram and raw turmeric at ₹90 per kilogram. To avail these rates, farmers must register between May 15 and June 15, 2025.
The state government launched a special registration drive on May 15 for farmers engaged in natural farming. This initiative aims to encourage organic agriculture and boost farmers’ incomes.
The procurement of naturally grown wheat has begun in the districts of Hamirpur, Bilaspur, and Sirmaur. The initiative will soon be extended to other districts as well. A total of 22 procurement centers have been established across the state to facilitate the purchase of wheat and turmeric from farmers.
Himachal Pradesh is the first state in the country to offer a minimum support price (MSP) of ₹60 per kilogram for naturally grown wheat, a significant increase from the previous rate of ₹40. Similarly, raw turmeric is being procured at ₹90 per kilogram. The procurement process will be implemented in 9 districts, excluding Kullu, Lahaul-Spiti, and Kinnaur.
Estimated Yield of 213 Metric Tons of Wheat and 18 Tons of Turmeric:
According to Dr. Ravindra Singh Jasrotia, Additional Project Director of the Prakritik Kheti Kaushal Kisan Yojana (PK3Y), the expected production this season is around 213 metric tons of natural wheat and 17–18 metric tons of raw turmeric. So far, 1,001 farmers have registered under this scheme.
Transport Incentive for Farmers: Farmers bringing their produce from a distance of two kilometers or more to the procurement centers will receive an additional payment of ₹2 per kilogram. The government plans to market the bran-rich wheat flour at ₹100 per kilogram.
Farmers Welcoming the Move: Khemraj Sharma, a farmer who has been practicing natural farming for several years, expressed satisfaction with the new policy. He noted that the procurement of turmeric at ₹90 per kilogram will significantly increase farmers' income.
Read More- PM Surya Ghar Yojana: Subsidy of 90 crores to 12,000 families
