SDG 2: Zero Hunger | SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
Institution: Government of Himachal Pradesh
Himachal Pradesh has recorded significant progress in natural farming, with 2,22,893 farmers cultivating chemical-free crops on 38,437 hectares across 3,584 panchayats. Under Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, the government has trained 3.06 lakh farmers and aims to integrate one lakh more by 2025-26. Farmers are benefiting from the highest Minimum Support Prices (MSP) in the country for natural produce, including Rs 40/kg for maize, Rs 60/kg for wheat, Rs 90/kg for raw turmeric, and Rs 60/kg for barley from the Pangi region.
To further strengthen sustainable agriculture, the state is establishing Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs) with 50-50 funding support from the government and NABARD. Government-backed brands like βHim-Bhogβ promote chemical-free produce, with substantial procurement ensuring fair payment to farmers. Transparency measures such as the CETARA-NF self-certification system have certified 1,96,892 farmers, making Himachal Pradesh a national model for natural farming and attracting policymakers, researchers, and practitioners to replicate its approach.
Relevant question for policy stakeholders: How can state-led natural farming initiatives balance farmer income, sustainable practices, and market scalability nationally?
Follow the news here: http://himachalpr.gov.in/OnePressRelease.aspx?Language=1&ID=42407