hp-s-natural-farming-start-up-scheme-to-benefit-farmers

The scheme is aimed at encouraging farmers to adopt non-chemical low-cost natural farming in Himachal Pradesh.

 

The Himachal Pradesh government's Rajiv Gandhi Prakritik Kheti Start-up Scheme is expected to go a long way in enhancing farmers' income.

 

The scheme was announced by Chief Minister, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu in the budget for 2024-25 as a boost to Prakritik Kheti Khushal Kisan Yojana (PK3Y).

 

The PK3Y was launched in 2018 to promote non-chemical low-cost natural farming techniques among farmers.

According to a government spokesperson, 10 farmers from each panchayat will be encouraged to adopt chemical-free farming in the scheme's first phase. The scheme aims to connect around 36,000 farmers with natural farming in a year.

It envisages bringing wheat and maize under a Minimum Support Price of Rs 40 and Rs 30 per kilogram respectively for the farmers producing chemical-free crops. This is the highest MSP for wheat and maize in the country.

The state government's initiative to encourage farmers to adopt natural farming is proving fruitful.

Currently, 1.92 lakh families of farmers and horticulturalists in the state have adopted natural farming partially or fully on about 32000 hectares of land in the state. 

The government aims to connect all the  9.61 lakh farmer families with natural farming in a phased manner.

 

Under the scheme, Rs. 12.75. crore lakh was spent in the financial year 2023-2024, benefiting 37,087 farmers by bringing 13,176 hectares of land under natural farming.

 

As many as ten markets have been designated for the sale of natural farming products, and infrastructure is being developed in these markets.

To ensure transparency between farmers and consumers, an innovative self-assessed certification system for natural produce has also been introduced in which is over 1.40. lakh farmers have been issued certificates for. 

 

This certification is completely free and meets the standards set by the Participatory Guarantee System (PGS).

 

The state government also provides assistance up to Rs. 10,000 to open a natural farming resource centre in each village. The natural farming scheme is proving to be a milestone in environmental conservation, crop diversification, and reducing crop production costs.

 

"The government is making efforts for the overall development of all sections of the society and all areas of the state.

 

The agriculture sector is the backbone of the state's economy, and the schemes launched to promote this sector are yielding positive results on the ground," said Chief Minister, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu.