The state government has started a new initiative, the HIM-UNNATI scheme, for promoting natural farming across the state. With an allocation of Rs 150 crore, this scheme will bolster the efforts of approximately 1.92 lakh farmers already practising the chemical-free farming on over 32,149 hectares of land.
The programme will focus on making the agriculture sector economically viable through a cluster-based development model and promoting natural farming.
Under HIM-UNNATI, the government will consolidate smallholding farmers to ensure bulk production, ensuring a sufficient marketable surplus. The initiative will also integrate various ongoing agricultural schemes and coordinate with departments such as Animal Husbandry, Horticulture, Fisheries, and Rural Development to maximize the scheme’s impact.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said, “The scheme would particularly benefit small and marginal farmers, women farmers, and those from weaker sections of society, including Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Below Poverty Line (BPL) families. The scheme is expected to generate self-employment opportunities for around 50,000 farmers through the creation of 2,600 focused agricultural clusters. Besides, it is likely to increase productivity by 15-20 percent in vegetables and cereals in the state.” — TNS