Himachal Pradesh is ushering in a new era of sustainable agriculture under the stewardship of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu. In a strategic push to transition toward natural farming practices, the state government has laid out a comprehensive roadmap that includes farmer outreach, certification support, and market infrastructure development. With initiatives such as high-end procurement silos, dedicated model farms, and Conservation Agriculture (CA) stores, the administration is aligning policy, infrastructure, and financial incentives to drive long-term agricultural resilience. A major investment of over Rs. 1,300 crore underscores the government’s commitment to ecological sustainability and farmer empowerment across all districts.
A Paradigm Shift Towards Natural Farming
In a decisive move toward ecological agriculture, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has directed the Himachal Pradesh Agriculture Department to implement a coordinated strategy promoting natural farming across the state. Speaking at a departmental review meeting, Sukhu emphasized the importance of moving beyond traditional chemical-dependent practices, highlighting the need for a grassroots-level transformation.
The Chief Minister called for full involvement of all stakeholders—particularly officers from the Agriculture Department, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and the Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA). These officials are expected to directly engage with farmers, offering essential guidance and facilitating the certification processes required for natural farming.
Farmer Engagement and Accountability Mechanisms
To ensure widespread participation, Sukhu ordered panchayat-level camps to register farmers for natural farming initiatives. The approach aims to decentralize the process and make it more accessible at the village level. Importantly, he underscored that performance accountability would be established at every administrative tier to guarantee results.
The state’s Agriculture Produce Market Committees (APMCs) were also brought into the fold. Chairpersons of these bodies were instructed to actively motivate farmers and support the marketing and logistics of naturally cultivated crops. The government has begun procuring naturally grown wheat at a minimum support price (MSP) of Rs. 60 per kilogram—significantly incentivizing a shift in production models.
Infrastructure Investments to Support Transition
Sukhu’s vision includes not just policy shifts, but also robust physical infrastructure to sustain the momentum. The Chief Minister mandated the establishment of high-end silos to store and procure naturally grown crops like wheat, maize, and raw turmeric—an essential component for ensuring product quality and price stability.
Model farms are also being developed to serve as reference points for best practices in natural farming. Three such facilities—Bhattoo in Kangra, Bhagani in Sirmaur, and Bairtee-Boch in Solan—are already operational, with plans for more in the pipeline. These farms are designed to act as innovation hubs where farmers can witness natural farming techniques in action and receive hands-on training.
Conservation Agriculture and Cold Storage Expansion
The expansion of Conservation Agriculture (CA) stores forms another cornerstone of the strategy. Sukhu reviewed progress on these projects, stressing their role in enabling farmers and horticulturists to receive fair prices for their produce while reducing post-harvest losses.
CA store facilities are being set up across several strategic locations: Sundernagar in Mandi district; Annu (Jubbal), Chopal, Sundasu, Kharapathar, Duttnagar, and Dhalli in Shimla; Kandrouri and Sulah in Kangra; Jabli in Solan; and Bhawanagar in Kinnaur. The government has earmarked Rs. 330 crore for this initiative, reflecting the scale and seriousness of the investment.
JICA Partnership and Broader Agricultural Reforms
A separate Rs. 1,010-crore outlay is being channeled into the JICA-backed agricultural development project covering all 12 districts. Sukhu reviewed the ongoing progress under this initiative and also evaluated the various projects under the Himachal Pradesh Agriculture Marketing Board. He issued directions to expedite implementation and maintain quality across the board.
This partnership is expected to yield multifaceted benefits, from irrigation and mechanization support to post-harvest processing and market access improvements.
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