In a landmark step towards sustainable agriculture, Himachal Pradesh has become the first state in India to procure chemical-free crops at Minimum Support Price (MSP). This bold initiative to promote natural farming was recently praised by Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah during the ‘Manthan Meeting’ held in New Delhi.
Amit Shah commended the state's efforts, stating, “Himachal has made significant progress in natural farming.” He called it an impactful model for sustainable agriculture that can inspire other states across the country.
The state government has fixed MSP for key chemical-free crops including maize, wheat, and turmeric. Last year, the MSP for maize was ₹30 per kg, which has now been increased to ₹40 per kg. So far, around 400 metric tonnes of maize have been procured from 1,509 farmers. Wheat is being purchased at ₹60 per kg, and natural turmeric will be marketed under the ‘Himachal Haldi’ brand at ₹90 per kg.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu revealed that around 2.23 lakh farmers and horticulturists across nearly all panchayats of the state have adopted natural farming either partially or fully. The government aims to expand this movement to 9.61 lakh farmers in a phased manner.
The government has declared Pangi subdivision in Chamba district as the state’s first “Natural Farming Subdivision.” A total of 2,920 hectares of agricultural land here is being converted into completely chemical-free zones, covering farming, horticulture, and allied activities. Currently, 2,244 families in the area are engaged in organic farming.
The Chief Minister noted, “This initiative not only preserves traditional agricultural practices and indigenous seeds but also strengthens the cultural identity and livelihood of tribal communities.” He added that it will help promote rural entrepreneurship in hilly regions and ensure fair prices for local farmers, many of whom previously leased their land and migrated for work.
Dedicated Market Infrastructure for Natural Produce: To support marketing and sale of natural produce, the state is developing dedicated infrastructure in 10 key markets. Under the ‘Natural Farming – Happy Farmer Scheme’, a total of ₹27.60 crore has been allocated for the years 2023–24 and 2024–25 to enhance facilities and support farmers adopting chemical-free agriculture.
