Himachal Pradesh to Boost Natural Farming with New Trademark Branding

The Himachal Pradesh government has decided to market under distinct trademark the agricultural products grown through natural farming. The branding will fetch better prices to farmers, according to Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu.

The CM laid stress on expanding natural farming in the state and asked officials to prepare a comprehensive system for certification, packaging and marketing of natural farming products. He also emphasised the need for integrating natural farming, animal rearing, fisheries and bee keeping.

Sukhu said this while reviewing various schemes of the agriculture department. He also reviewed the functioning of the Japan International Cooperation Agency, popularly known as JICA, and milk producers' cooperative Milkfed and asked the two agencies to digitise their working.

Voicing concern over growing number of cancer cases in the state, he urged farmers to adopt chemical-free farming and said that a special laboratory would be set up in the state for soil testing and to certify the produces.

He also asked officials concerned to set up cold stores according to the requirements and specific crop production needs in the respective district. "Silos will be set up for storage of wheat and maize under JICA," he added.

The chief minister directed his officers to rationalise the agriculture department and promised to fill vacant posts.