Himachal government to certify farmers doing natural farming

Tribune News Service
Shimla, August 6

The government will certify farmers engaged in natural farming under the Prakritik Kheti Khushhal Kisan Yojana.

Chief Secretary Anil Khachi, during a meeting of the Task Force on Natural Farming held at the Secretariat, directed Agriculture Department officials to complete the certification of farmers. He said that it was necessary to certify farmers engaged in natural farming so that they could get a better market and price. He emphasised the need to create a brand to ease the recognition and marketing of natural produce.

Onkar Sharma, Principal Secretary, Agriculture, said that the Prakritik Kheti Khushhal Kisan Yojana was getting popular in the state and farmers were adopting this technique of farming. Till date, 54,914 farmers had adopted natural farming, he added.

He said that the government would certify at least 15,000 more farmers by the end of the financial year. The Directors of Research of Palampur and Nauni agricultural universities made the Chief Secretary aware of the ongoing research in natural farming via video-conferencing.

Rakesh Kanwar, State Project Director-cum-Special Secretary, Agriculture, said the project implementing unit had set a target to reach 50,000 new farmers and bring 20,000 hectares under natural farming.