Pangi Declared Himachal’s First Natural Farming Sub-Division; ₹5 Crore Support Announced for Farmers

Shimla, May 11:
In a significant step toward promoting sustainable and chemical-free agriculture, the Himachal Pradesh Cabinet has declared the remote Pangi Valley in Chamba district as the state’s first Natural Farming Sub-Division. The move aims to strengthen the natural farming ecosystem in the region and encourage farmers to adopt eco-friendly agricultural practices.

As part of this initiative, the state government will establish a dedicated Farmer Producer Organization (FPO) in Pangi focused solely on natural farming. This FPO will help local farmers market their naturally grown produce, address gaps in the production cycle, and ensure better grading, packaging, and market linkage for their crops.

According to a government spokesperson, the FPO will enable farmers to fetch better prices for their produce while gaining improved access to appropriate markets. Additionally, farmer groups at the panchayat level will be developed and certified under the CETARANF system. This will benefit natural farmers across the state and pave the way for Large Area Certification (LAC), under which only chemical-free farming is permitted within a designated area.

To further institutionalize the shift toward natural farming, the state has also formed a committee to initiate the LAC certification process under the Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) in the Pangi Valley. The committee will submit a detailed report outlining the steps required for certification.

In a major financial boost, the state government will procure barley cultivated through natural methods in Pangi at a minimum support price (MSP) of ₹60 per kilogram. This is expected to motivate local youth and farmers to embrace environmentally friendly farming, while also providing a stable source of livelihood.

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has also announced a ₹5 crore revolving fund to provide financial support to farmers in Pangi. The initiative is expected to be a milestone in empowering the rural economy of this remote tribal region.