Himachal Pradesh has become the first state in the country to offer Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops grown through natural farming, marking a historic step toward sustainable agriculture. The state’s pioneering initiative drew national attention during the recent ‘Manthan Baithak’ on co-operatives in New Delhi, where Union Home and Co-operative Minister Amit Shah praised Himachal’s leadership and the efforts of CM Sukhu. “Himachal mein natural farming mein bahut achhe experiments hue hain,” remarked Shah, applauding the successful shift towards chemical-free farming.
Over 2.23 lakh farmers and horticulturists across nearly all panchayats in the state have adopted natural farming. The state government has introduced MSP for such produce—maize at ₹40/kg, wheat at ₹60/kg, and raw turmeric at ₹90/kg, which will be marketed under the ‘Himachal Haldi’ brand. Already, 400 metric tons of maize have been procured from 1,509 farmers under the new policy.
Taking another progressive step, the government has declared Pangi in Chamba as Himachal’s first natural farming sub-division, covering 2,920 hectares of agricultural land. With over 2,200 families already practicing chemical-free farming in the remote tribal region, the move aims to promote traditional agriculture, food security, and tribal entrepreneurship, while preserving heirloom seeds and agro-cultural heritage.
To boost marketing of natural produce, the state is developing infrastructure in 10 market yards. Under the Prakritik Kheti–Khushal Kisan Yojana, ₹27.60 crore was spent during 2023–24 and 2024–25, signaling strong commitment to transforming Himachal’s agricultural landscape. The ultimate goal is to bring 9.61 lakh farmers under the natural farming fold, empowering rural communities and setting a national benchmark for eco-friendly farming practices.
Nurturing Creativity – Keekli Charitable Trust, Shimla
