In a sweeping new move aimed at revitalizing the rural economy, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has announced an ambitious ₹2,000 crore investment plan for the agriculture and horticulture sectors in the current financial year. The announcement signals a paradigm shift in the state’s development strategy, placing sustainable farming practices and agri-infrastructure development at the heart of rural transformation.
Presiding over a high-level meeting with senior officials from agriculture, horticulture, and allied departments, CM Sukhu emphasized that his government is committed to creating a future-ready ecosystem that supports not only cultivation but also the seamless processing and marketing of agricultural and horticultural produce. This integrated approach is designed to generate long-term economic value and employment opportunities in rural areas.
A key component of the state’s vision is the dairy sector, which CM Sukhu described as a pillar of rural prosperity. Underlining the sector’s potential, he spoke of ongoing innovations including the rollout of the Him Ganga Yojana—currently being implemented on a pilot basis in Hamirpur and Kangra districts. Complementing this, the state-run Milkfed has set up 120 automated and 32 digital milk collection units in Mandi, Kullu, and Shimla districts, introducing transparency and efficiency into the milk procurement system.
What sets this initiative apart is its strong emphasis on natural farming. The Chief Minister announced that the state government has fixed Minimum Support Prices (MSPs) for key crops grown under natural farming practices—₹90 per kg for turmeric, ₹60 per kg for wheat, and ₹40 per kg for maize. This is part of a larger vision to make Himachal Pradesh a national leader in eco-friendly agriculture, where chemical-free farming is not just encouraged but economically viable.
With the aim of onboarding 1 lakh new farmers into the fold of natural farming this year, the government will link each registered grower to the Him Parivar Register, a state-level data initiative aimed at streamlining beneficiary tracking and service delivery.
These measures reflect a multi-dimensional approach to agri-development—where infrastructural investment, technological adoption, and policy support converge to empower farmers, increase incomes, and reduce environmental impact. The strategy clearly aligns with India’s larger goals of sustainable rural development, food security, and climate resilience.
As the country continues to debate the future of agriculture amid rising costs, climate risks, and market volatility, Himachal Pradesh’s model offers a proactive, inclusive, and environmentally sound template for others to emulate.
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