What this scheme offers
Natural farming — no chemical fertilisers or pesticides — is usually a harder economic sell than an environmental one, since yields can dip in the transition years while a farmer builds up the soil's natural fertility. Himachal Pradesh's answer is to make the economics work in the farmer's favour from day one: the highest minimum support price in the country for naturally-grown wheat (₹40/kg) and maize (₹30/kg), well above conventional MSP rates, so switching to natural methods is a genuinely profitable choice rather than a sacrifice. The state has also started processing procured maize into its own 'Him Bhog Atta' flour brand, adding a further market for what farmers grow. Over 1.98 lakh farmers across 35,000 hectares have taken up natural farming as a result, and in one procurement round alone, 398 tonnes of maize was bought from 1,506 farmers with ₹1.20 crore transferred directly to their bank accounts.
Who is eligible
- Farmer in Himachal Pradesh practising certified natural farming (no chemical fertilisers/pesticides).
- Registered under the state's natural farming programme.
- Growing wheat or maize for procurement under the scheme.
Documents required
- Aadhaar card
- Land records
- Natural farming registration/certification
- Bank account details (Aadhaar-linked)
How to apply
- Register for the state's natural farming programme through your local Agriculture Department office.
- Complete the certification process confirming your farm follows natural farming methods.
- Bring your wheat or maize produce to a designated procurement centre during the harvest season.
- Payment at the applicable MSP (₹40/kg wheat, ₹30/kg maize) is credited via DBT to your bank account.
- Contact your local Krishi Vigyan Kendra for guidance on transitioning to natural farming if you're not yet registered.