Himachal Pradesh has created history by becoming the first state in India to provide a Minimum Support Price (MSP) for natural farming products. This significant announcement was made by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu during a meeting with a delegation from the French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food, and Environment (INRAE) on August 30, 2024.
The meeting, held at the Chief Minister’s office, was attended by four INRAE scientists, including Prof. Allison Marie Loconto, Deputy Director of LISIS, and researchers Prof. Mireille Matt, Dr. Evelyne Lhoste, and Dr. Renee Van Dis. The delegation's visit to Himachal Pradesh is part of a three-week mission to explore the state's progress in natural farming.
Chief Minister Sukhu revealed that the state has established MSP rates for various natural farming products, setting the price for wheat at Rs. 40 per kg and maize at Rs. 30 per kg. In addition, cow milk is priced at Rs. 45 per litre, while buffalo milk is at Rs. 55 per litre. Sukhu underscored Himachal Pradesh's pioneering role in natural farming and expressed confidence that the state would become a leader in the sector within the next five to six years.
During the meeting, Sukhu also introduced the CETARA certification system, designed to ensure fair pricing and authenticity of natural farming products. This initiative is part of the state’s broader HIM-UNNATI scheme, which operates on a cluster-based approach. The scheme aims to certify chemical-free produce and plans to involve approximately 50,000 farmers through 2,600 agricultural groups. Additionally, the state is placing a strong emphasis on enhancing its dairy sector and increasing milk production.
The INRAE delegation, which is also visiting Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry in Nauni, along with other key locations in the state, is engaged in the European Commission-funded ACROPICS project. This project is focused on advancing agroecological crop protection and promoting international co-innovation.
The visiting scientists praised Himachal Pradesh’s efforts in promoting natural farming and expressed interest in the CETARA certification system, highlighting its potential applicability in other countries.
The meeting was also attended by several notable figures, including Education Minister Rohit, Chief Parliamentary Secretary Sanjay Awasthy, and other local dignitaries.
