Agriculture Minister Prof. Chander Kumar led the Himachal Pradesh delegation at the two-day National Conference on the Kharif-Rabi Campaign 2025, held in New Delhi. The conference, chaired by Union Minister for Agriculture, Farmers Welfare and Rural Development, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, focused on agricultural policy reforms, farmer welfare, and future strategies for sustainable agricultural growth.
During his address, Prof. Chander Kumar made two key appeals to the Central Government. He urged the introduction of a dedicated ‘Farmer Train’ from Kalka, to ensure time-bound and cost-effective transportation of agricultural produce to major markets. He also called for the fixation of a Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops cultivated through natural farming methods, to incentivize organic practices and safeguard farmer incomes.
Highlighting Himachal Pradesh’s leadership in sustainable agriculture, the Minister stated that the state was the first in the country to fix MSPs for naturally grown crops. He emphasized the state’s continued efforts in promoting natural and organic farming through various flagship schemes.
Prof. Kumar also underscored the importance of micro-level soil surveys and the preparation of soil fertility maps at the block level, which are essential for scientific land-use planning. He advocated for the extensive use of remote sensing technologies in agriculture to improve decision-making and resource management.
Pointing to the state’s diverse agro-climatic zones, he emphasized the need for micro-level crop planning to align with regional climate conditions. He reiterated the state’s focus on promoting commercial farming, particularly in high-value crops such as potatoes, garlic, turmeric, fruits, and products grown through natural farming. The Minister also stressed the importance of strengthening marketing linkages to boost farm income.
The conference also addressed key issues such as enhancing crop insurance coverage, combating fake agricultural inputs, improving Agricultural Science Centres (KVKs), and the upcoming launch of the Developed Agriculture Resolution Campaign starting October 3rd.
The event concluded with a shared commitment between the Central and State Governments to work collaboratively for the holistic development of Indian agriculture and the well-being of farmers across the country.
