Shimla
The rural economy of Himachal Pradesh is mainly dependent on agriculture and horticulture. A large population of the state resides in rural areas, and their main source of livelihood is farming, horticulture, animal husbandry, and forestry. About two-thirds of the population of the state is directly or indirectly associated with agriculture, which strengthens the economy of the state.
Many schemes are being implemented by the state government to strengthen the rural economy, which are benefiting people even in remote areas of the state. Along with promoting natural farming in Himachal Pradesh, the government has also taken important steps towards fixing the minimum support price (MSP) for natural products to provide economic security to the farmers. Himachal Pradesh has started this initiative in the country, which ensures economic benefits to the farmers adopting natural farming.
The state government is promoting natural farming by taking important steps towards reducing the cost of farming and increasing income and productivity. While natural farming is protecting humans and the environment from the ill effects of chemical farming, the rural economy is getting strengthened due to the reduction in the cost of farming. Natural farming is ending the dependence of farmers and gardeners on the market, and they are making full use of the resources available around them in farming.
The government has fixed the minimum support price on the purchase of wheat, maize, barley, and turmeric in the state. The highest minimum support price in the country is being provided on maize grown through natural farming in the state. For the financial year 2025-2026, the minimum support price for maize grown through natural farming has been increased from Rs 30 to Rs 40 and wheat from Rs 40 to Rs 60 per kg. Apart from this, a minimum support price of Rs 90 per kg has been fixed for the purchase of raw turmeric.
This innovative initiative of Chief Minister Thakur Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu aims to strengthen the rural economy by providing MSP to naturally grown agricultural products. The MSP given in the state is the highest in the country. This scheme launched by the state government to empower farmers and strengthen the rural economy in Himachal Pradesh is yielding meaningful results.
MSP of turmeric in the interest of farmers—Roopchand Sharma (farmer)
Roopchand Sharma, resident of village Bagh, Gram Panchayat Pahal, Shimla Rural said that he does natural farming of turmeric. The state government has fixed the MSP of turmeric at Rs 90. Under the scheme, he has sold one quintal 5 kg turmeric to the Agriculture Department at the rate of Rs 90. He has described this initiative of the government as beneficial in the interest of farmers. He said that in this context, he is also encouraging other people of the village to do natural farming of turmeric so that other people can also benefit from it. He expressed gratitude to Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu for the turmeric purchase scheme under MSP.
4 quintals of maize got 12 thousand – Prakash Chand (farmer)
Prakash Chand, resident of village Kadog, Vikaskhand Basantpur, Shimla Rural told that earlier he used to use chemical fertilizers in farming, due to which there was a decrease in the fertility and yield of the soil. Now he produces crops through natural farming, due to which the fertility of the soil has also increased. He said that the state government has fixed MSP on maize grown through natural farming, of which he is also a beneficiary. He told that he has sold 4 quintals of maize to the Agriculture Department at the rate of Rs 30 per kg, for which he has received Rs 12 thousand. He has thanked the state government and Chief Minister Thakur Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu for this scheme.
Received fair price from MSP – Tara Kashyap (farmer)
Tara Kashyap, resident of village Vihar, Gram Panchayat Badhai, Shimla Rural told that he has been doing natural farming since 2021. He said that in the year 2024, he sold 80 kg of maize crop to the Agriculture Department at the rate of Rs 30, which got a profit of Rs 2,400. By starting MSP, farmers are getting fair prices for their produce. He thanked the state government and Chief Minister Thakur Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu for starting this scheme.
Target to connect one lakh farmers with natural farming
A target has been set to connect one lakh farmers from 3615 panchayats of 88 development blocks to do natural farming in the state. So far, 48 thousand 685 farmers have registered for natural farming in the state, which includes 22 thousand 901 men and 25 thousand 784 women. In the state, 2900 farmers of Bilaspur district, 2816 farmers of Chamba district, 4478 farmers of Hamirpur district, 12424 farmers of Kangra district, 263 farmers of Kinnaur district, 3951 farmers of Kullu district, 531 farmers of Lahaul Spiti district, 3653 farmers of Mandi district, 4021 farmers of Shimla district, 5340 farmers of Sirmaur district, 3056 farmers of Solan district and 5252 farmers of Una district have got themselves registered.
Status of purchase of wheat, maize and turmeric under natural farming in the state
During Kharif season 2024-25, 3989 quintals of maize were purchased from 1509 farmers in the state at the rate of Rs 30 per kg, in which a total direct benefit transfer amount of Rs 01 crore 19 lakh 69 thousand 607 was distributed. District Bijli of the state
