State edges closer to becoming foremost natural farming hub: CM
Says Himachal has become the first state in the country to fix MSP for naturally grown wheat, maize, barley and turmeric
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today said Himachal Pradesh is moving towards becoming country's foremost natural farming hub by ensuring economic empowerment of farmers and rural households.
The Chief Minister said the state government is prioritising and strengthening rural economy with bold reforms. “Recognising the pivotal role of the rural population in Himachal’s economy, the state government has accorded top priority to strengthen the rural economy by promoting natural farming as a cornerstone of inclusive and sustainable growth,” he said.
Sukhu today said that agriculture continues to be the backbone of the state, with nearly 90 per cent of the population residing in rural areas and about 53.95 per cent directly dependent on farming and allied activities. “The state government has set an ambitious target of bringing 9.61 lakh farmer families under the ambit of natural farming which reaffirms its strong commitment to transforming the rural economy and securing a sustainable livelihood for farmers across the state,” he said.
The Chief Minister stated that a comprehensive framework of farmer-friendly schemes has been introduced to support this transition. As a result, around 2,22,893 farmers and orchardists have already fully or partially adopted natural farming practices on approximately 38,437 hectares across the State. This shift was proving helpful in reducing input costs, improving soil health and enhancing farm incomes in a sustainable manner.
Highlighting a significant milestone, Sukhu said that on April 15 2025, the tribal Pangi sub-division of Chamba district was officially declared a Natural Farming Sub-Division. Besides cultivating traditional crops, local farmers were naturally growing a wide range of medicinal herbs, reflecting the region’s strong commitment to eco-friendly agriculture, he said.
He said Himachal has become the first state in the country to fix MSP for naturally grown wheat, maize, barley and turmeric. “To strengthen market linkages, natural farming products have been launched under a dedicated brand. Maize flour was being marketed as ‘Him Bhog Makki’, wheat products as ‘Him Chakki Atta’ and ‘Him Daliya’ and raw turmeric as ‘Him Haldi’, providing farmers better market access and recognition,” he stated.
He said a new cluster-based initiative, ‘Him Unnati’, was being implemented in a phased manner, under which 2,600 clusters would be identified. The state was also promoting saffron and asafoetida cultivation in suitable high-altitude areas of Chamba, Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur.
The Chief Minister said these initiatives reflect the government’s resolve to make Himachal Pradesh self-reliant and prosperous and steadily move the state towards its goal of becoming one of the leading natural farming state successfully.
