Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Sunday said that natural farming is the future of Himachal Pradesh, underlining the crucial role of Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry in promoting sustainable agricultural practices.
Addressing a virtual event from Shimla, the Chief Minister inaugurated and laid foundation stones for development projects worth ₹34.31 crore. These included a 107-bed hostel at the College of Horticulture and Forestry, Neri in Hamirpur district, built at a cost of ₹3.63 crore, and the administrative building of the Krishi Vigyan Kendra at Tabo, constructed for ₹1.48 crore.
He also laid foundation stones for working women’s hostels at Neri and Khaggal in Hamirpur district, to be built at a cost of ₹8.57 crore and ₹8.68 crore respectively. Another 100-bed working women’s hostel will come up at the university’s main campus in Nauni at an estimated cost of ₹11.95 crore.
Emphasising the importance of natural farming, the Chief Minister said the state government is actively encouraging farmers to adopt eco-friendly practices, with over two lakh farmers registered under the initiative and nearly 1.98 lakh already certified.
Highlighting agriculture’s significance, he noted that nearly 90 percent of the state’s population lives in rural areas, with about 53.95 percent dependent on farming for their livelihood. He reiterated the government’s commitment to strengthening the rural economy through progressive and farmer-centric policies.
Mr. Sukhu also said that Himachal Pradesh is offering the highest Minimum Support Price (MSP) in the country for naturally grown crops. The MSP for natural wheat has been increased from ₹60 to ₹80 per kg, maize from ₹40 to ₹50 per kg, barley in Pangi Valley from ₹60 to ₹80 per kg, and turmeric from ₹90 to ₹150 per kg. The Pangi sub-division has been declared the state’s first fully natural farming sub-division.
Additionally, ginger has been brought under MSP for the first time at ₹30 per kg, while procurement prices for milk have been fixed at ₹61 per litre for cow milk and ₹71 per litre for buffalo milk.
Vice Chancellor Rajeshwar Chandel, ICAR Additional Director General R.K. Singh, Registrar Siddharth Acharya, along with faculty members and students, attended the programme virtually.
Nurturing Creativity – Keekli Charitable Trust, Shimla
