Natural farming promoted in Himachal, target of 1 lakh farmers

April 7, 2026

Shimla: Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said on Tuesday that the Agriculture Department has set a target of connecting 1 lakh farmers with natural farming this year.

Number of natural farming adopters increased

He said that the state government is promoting natural farming and encouraging farmers to adopt it, as it provides higher profits at lower costs.

Currently, 222,893 farmer and orchardist families have adopted natural farming. The Chief Minister said that more than 200,000 farmers have been registered, of which 198,000 have been issued certificates.

Emphasis on environmentally friendly farming

Under the Natural Farming Happy Farmer Scheme, the use of chemical fertilizers is being discouraged, while cow dung, cow urine, and local plant-based resources are being promoted.

The objective of this scheme is to promote environmental protection, crop diversification, and reduce farming costs.

Increased MSP for farmers

Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu said that the state government is providing the highest minimum support price (MSP) in the country for natural products to ensure farmers get better prices.

This year, the MSP for natural wheat has been increased from Rs. 60 to Rs. 80 per kg, maize from Rs. 40 to Rs. 50, barley from Pangi Valley from Rs. 60 to Rs. 80, and turmeric from Rs. 90 to Rs. 150 per kg.

The Pangi subdivision has been declared the state’s first fully natural farming area.

Ginger has also been included in the MSP for the first time at Rs. 30 per kg.

In addition, the procurement price of cow milk has been increased to Rs. 61 per liter and buffalo milk to Rs. 71 per liter.

Strengthening the Rural Economy

The Chief Minister stated that agriculture is the backbone of the state’s economy, as approximately 90 percent of the population lives in rural areas and 53.95 percent are directly dependent on agriculture.

This sector contributes approximately 14.70 percent to the state’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Keeping this in mind, the government is working to strengthen the rural economy through progressive policies and farmer-friendly schemes.

To ensure better prices for farmers, natural maize and wheat flour is being marketed under the ‘Him’ brand.