Shimla, April 7 (IANS) Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said on Tuesday that the Agriculture Department has set a target to integrate one lakh farmers with natural farming this year.

He noted that the state government is actively promoting natural farming and encouraging farmers to adopt this method, as it enables them to earn higher profits at lower costs.

As of now, 222,893 farmer and horticulturist families have adopted natural farming practices.

The Chief Minister in a statement said that more than two lakh farmers engaged in natural farming have been registered, of which 198,000 have already been issued certificates.

Under the Prakritik Kheti Khushhal Kisan Yojana the use of chemical inputs is discouraged, while inputs based on indigenous cow dung, cow urine and local plant resources are promoted.

The key objectives of the scheme include environmental conservation, promotion of crop diversification, and reduction in the cost of cultivation.

Chief Minister Sukhu said the state government is offering the highest minimum support price (MSP) in the country for naturally grown produce to ensure fair returns for farmers.

This year, the MSP for naturally grown wheat has been increased from Rs 60 to Rs 80 per kg, maize from Rs 40 to Rs 50, barley from the Pangi Valley from Rs 60 to Rs 80, and natural turmeric from Rs 90 to Rs 150 per kg.

The Pangi subdivision has been declared the state’s first fully natural farming subdivision.

Ginger has also been brought under the MSP for the first time at Rs 30 per kg.

Additionally, the procurement price of cow milk has been enhanced to Rs 61 per litre and buffalo milk to Rs 71 per litre.

The Chief Minister said agriculture remains the backbone of the state’s economy, as nearly 90 per cent of the population lives in rural areas, with 53.95 per cent directly dependent on agriculture for their livelihood.

This sector contributes about 14.70 per cent to the state’s Gross Domestic Product, he added.

Keeping this in view, the state government is aiming to strengthening the rural economy through progressive policies and farmer-friendly initiatives.

To ensure better and remunerative prices for farmers, naturally produced maize and wheat flour are being marketed under the brand name ‘Him’.

–IANS

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