Chamba: The Himachal Pradesh government’s efforts to strengthen the rural economy and elevate farmers’ income through natural farming have begun yielding substantial results across the state’s rural belts.
Himachal Pradesh is currently the only state in the country to procure naturally grown wheat at a highly lucrative Minimum Support Price (MSP) of ₹80 per kilogram. This policy has triggered a noticeable shift in Chamba district, drawing more farmers toward commercial agriculture and sustainable farming practices.
The impact of this policy is reflected in the procurement data for 2026. This year, the state government procured 185.92 quintals of natural wheat from 133 farmers in Chamba district. This marks a sharp increase from 2025, when only 39 farmers in the district participated in the procurement drive. The record procurement indicates that local farmers are transitioning from traditional chemical-based farming to an eco-friendly and economically viable agricultural model.
The procurement process in the district was carried out through three civil supplies collection centers this year. The Chamba Civil Supply collection center recorded a procurement of 91.08 quintals. This included 79.42 quintals from 58 farmers in Chamba block, 7.80 quintals from 5 farmers in Salooni block, and 3.86 quintals from 21 farmers in Mehla block.
Additionally, the Chowari Civil Supply store procured 83.28 quintals of natural wheat from 30 farmers in the Bhattiyat block, while the Banikhet Civil Supply store in the same block registered a purchase of 11.56 quintals from 19 farmers.
Sharing details on the initiative, Nitin Kumar Sharma, Project Director of the ATMA project, said that natural farming serves as a cornerstone for sustainable agriculture rather than just a means to fetch higher market prices. He noted that the method reduces input costs for farmers, preserves soil fertility, protects biodiversity, and mitigates chemical pollution in water bodies. Crops grown through this method are free from chemical residues and highly nutritious for consumers.
Sharma added that the Agriculture Department, through the ATMA project, has been consistently supporting farmers in Chamba by organizing training sessions, technical guidance, demonstration plots, interactive meets, and awareness campaigns. These interventions have steadily expanded the footprint of natural farming in the district.
Apart from wheat, the state government has fixed attractive MSPs for other natural agricultural products to incentivize farmers. Currently, the MSP for natural maize stands at ₹50 per kilogram, while barley produced in Chamba’s Pangi Valley fetches ₹80 per kilogram. The state has also fixed the MSP for raw turmeric at ₹150 per kilogram and naturally grown ginger at ₹30 per kilogram to ensure a steady rise in farmers’ earnings.
