Why in News
- Himachal Pradesh farmers are increasingly adopting chemical-free natural farming, supported by state policies and incentives.
- The push aligns with India’s broader national focus on sustainable and chemical-free agriculture.
- Farmers are benefiting from higher yields, better prices, and reduced input dependence, creating both economic and environmental advantages.
Relevance
- GS 3 – Agriculture: Natural farming, MSP, productivity, input management, organic agriculture.
- GS 3 – Environment & Biodiversity: Soil conservation, reduction in chemical inputs, eco-friendly practices.
- GS 2 – Governance: State-supported schemes, policy interventions, implementation of PK3Y.
- GS 3 – Economy: Market linkages, price support, rural income enhancement.
- GS 1 – Society: Women’s participation in agriculture, livelihood improvement.
Basic Overview
- Natural/Organic Farming: Agricultural practices without synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, relying on farm-produced inputs and ecological balance.
- Key Government Support:
- Prakritik Kheti Khushhal Kisan Yojana (PK3Y): Launched 7 years ago to promote natural farming in Himachal Pradesh.
- Minimum Support Prices (MSP): Turmeric ₹90/kg, wheat ₹60/kg, maize ₹40/kg.
- Training & Certification: Farmers are trained and certified via CETA–ARA–NF (Certified Evaluation Tool for Agriculture – Natural Farming).
Current Adoption & Outcomes
- Over 3.06 lakh farmers trained, with 2.22 lakh practicing partially or fully across 38,437 hectares.
- Farmers report:
- Higher profits: E.g., turmeric price rose from ₹60/kg (local market) to ₹90/kg (government procurement).
- Health benefits: Reduced chemical exposure reduces farmer illness.
- Independence: Farmers produce their own inputs, lowering market dependence.
- Women farmers are increasingly participating, expanding wheat and turmeric cultivation.
Drivers of Adoption
- Economic Incentives: MSP support encourages market creation for natural produce.
- Training & Certification: PK3Y provides knowledge and credibility for natural farming practices.
- Health & Environmental Awareness: Chemical-free methods protect soil health, biodiversity, and human health.
- Government Backing: Policies create a structured ecosystem including procurement, pricing, and extension services.
Benefits of Natural Farming
A. Economic
- Higher yield and better prices due to government support.
- Reduced dependency on chemical inputs, lowering production costs.
- Opens market for premium, organic products nationally and potentially internationally.
B. Environmental
- Enhances soil fertility and biodiversity.
- Reduces groundwater contamination and chemical runoff.
- Promotes long-term sustainability of hill agriculture.
C. Social
- Empowers women farmers and smallholders.
- Builds community knowledge networks and reduces dependency on corporate agro-inputs.
Challenges
- Initial yield fluctuations during transition from chemical to natural farming.
- Need for efficient marketing and supply chains to prevent price disparities.
- Labor-intensive practices require skill and training.
- Limited awareness and adoption in remote villages due to digital and extension service gaps.
Policy & Institutional Support
- PK3Y (Prakritik Kheti Khushhal Kisan Yojana): Training, input support, MSP, and market integration.
- CETA–ARA–NF Certification: Validates natural farming practices and encourages market trust.
- State Government Procurement: Government agencies procure at higher prices to incentivize adoption.
Broader Implications
- Sustainability: Demonstrates a model for eco-friendly hill agriculture in India.
- Health: Chemical-free produce is safer for consumers and reduces occupational health hazards.
- Replication Potential: Successful model can be adapted for other hill states and tribal regions.
- Women Empowerment: Promotes economic participation and decision-making among rural women farmers.
