State government offers ₹60/kg MSP for naturally grown wheat; launches model farms and storage projects
Shimla, May 17 — Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu directed the agriculture department on Saturday to intensify efforts to promote natural farming across the state through coordinated and practical steps.Chairing a high-level meeting with officials from the agriculture department, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and the Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA), Sukhu emphasized the importance of handholding farmers in their transition to natural farming practices. He instructed officers to facilitate proper certification processes and organize panchayat-level camps to register farmers under the initiative.
Ensuring Accountability and Support at All Levels
Highlighting the need for accountability, the Chief Minister directed that responsibilities be clearly assigned at each level to ensure measurable results. He urged Agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC) chairpersons to actively assist and motivate farmers, and announced plans to establish high-end silos specifically for the procurement of natural produce like wheat, maize, and raw turmeric.Sukhu noted that the state has already started procurement of naturally grown wheat at a Minimum Support Price (MSP) of ₹60 per kilogram. He also called for the distribution of high-quality seeds to farmers engaged in natural farming to boost productivity and output quality.
Development of Model Farms and CA Stores
In a bid to institutionalize natural farming practices, the agriculture department has established three model farms: Bhattoo in Kangra district, Bhagani in Sirmaur, and Bairtee-Boch in Solan. Sukhu announced that more such model farms would be set up in the near future to serve as centers of excellence for training and demonstration.The Chief Minister also reviewed the ongoing development of Conservation Agriculture (CA) stores, which he said are vital for ensuring fair prices to farmers and horticulturists. CA stores are being established across multiple districts, including Sundernagar (Mandi), Annu (Jubbal), Chopal, Sundasu, Kharapathar, Duttnagar and Dhalli (Shimla), Kandrouri and Sulah (Kangra), Jabli (Solan), and Bhawanagar (Kinnaur), with an allocated budget of ₹330 crore.
JICA Project and Agricultural Marketing Initiatives
Reviewing the ₹1,010 crore JICA project currently being implemented across all 12 districts, Sukhu assessed its progress and gave necessary directives to enhance its impact. He also examined various ongoing initiatives under the Himachal Pradesh Agriculture Marketing Board to ensure that infrastructure and policy support align with the goal of sustainable agriculture.The meeting concluded with the Chief Minister reaffirming the state government's commitment to transforming Himachal Pradesh into a leading hub of natural farming through institutional support, farmer incentives, and robust market infrastructure.