Himachal Pradesh Rajiv Gandhi Prakritik Kheti Start-up Yojana

Scheme Introduction: A Brief Overview

The Rajiv Gandhi Prakritik Kheti Start-up Yojana is a Himachal Pradesh Government initiative introduced to promote natural and chemical-free farming as a source of sustainable agricultural income and self-employment. Announced in the Himachal Pradesh Budget 2024-25, the scheme forms the third component of the ₹680 crore Rajiv Gandhi Start-up initiative. It focuses on encouraging farmers to adopt natural farming and creating better market opportunities for naturally grown agricultural produce.

Under the scheme, the government announced procurement of naturally grown grains at the applicable minimum support price (MSP), with procurement of up to 20 quintals of grains from each family. The initiative initially aimed to encourage 10 farmers from every Panchayat to adopt chemical-free farming, covering around 36,000 farmers in the first phase. Farmers already engaged in agriculture were given priority under the initial announcement.

The initiative builds on Himachal Pradesh's existing natural-farming programme, the Rajiv Gandhi Prakritik Kheti Khushhal Kisan Yojana, which was launched in 2018 to encourage farmers to adopt natural farming practices and reduce dependence on chemical inputs. The official natural-farming portal provides facilities related to farmer registration, natural-farming certification, incentives, assistance and procurement. Farmers can also express their interest in adopting natural farming through the dedicated option available on the portal.

The Rajiv Gandhi Prakritik Kheti Khushhal Kisan Yojana provides various forms of support for farmers adopting natural farming, including assistance for eligible natural-farming inputs and infrastructure. The programme also uses the SITARA system for natural-farming assessment and certification. Farmers can provide their personal, land, crop and farming-practice details through the prescribed registration process and undergo the required verification.

The Rajiv Gandhi Prakritik Kheti Start-up Yojana has further strengthened the income-support aspect of natural farming through government procurement. Under the 2026-27 Budget, the government increased the procurement price of naturally grown wheat to ₹80 per kg and maize to ₹50 per kg. It also announced ₹80 per kg for Pangi Valley produce, ₹150 per kg for turmeric and ₹30 per kg for ginger. These measures aim to provide better market support to farmers adopting natural farming and encourage more farmers to take up natural farming as a sustainable source of income.

Scheme Benefits

• The government will procure grains from farmers practising natural and chemical-free farming at the announced minimum support price (MSP).
• The government will procure a maximum of 20 quintals of naturally grown grains from each family.
• Naturally grown wheat will be procured at ₹80 per kg.
• Naturally grown maize will be procured at ₹50 per kg.
• Naturally grown Rajmah from the Pangi region will be procured at ₹80 per kg.
• Raw turmeric will be procured at ₹150 per kg.
• Ginger will be procured at ₹30 per kg.
• The scheme helps farmers increase their agricultural income by adopting natural farming and promotes farming as a self-employment opportunity.

Eligibility Requirements

• The applicant must be a farmer or horticulturist practising natural and chemical-free farming in Himachal Pradesh.
• Farmers who are already engaged in farming will receive priority under the scheme.
• Farmers must follow the natural-farming practices prescribed under the state's natural-farming programme.
• Farmers who want to sell their naturally grown produce at the government-announced MSP must have their land and crop certified under the prescribed natural-farming certification process.
• Only the crops notified for government procurement under the applicable MSP provisions are eligible for procurement support.

The crops covered under the 2026-27 procurement provisions include wheat, maize, turmeric, Pangi-area Rajmah and ginger. Farmers should check the latest notification or procurement instructions for the applicable crop and certification requirements before selling their produce at MSP.

Required Documents

• Aadhaar details are required during the online natural-farming registration.
• Farmers need to provide their mobile number and personal details.
• Farmers need to provide their district, block, Panchayat and village details.
• Farmers need to provide their land and crop details.
• Farmers need to provide details of neighbouring farmers for the prescribed verification process.
• Additional documents may be required for specific assistance or procurement activities as prescribed by the department.

Steps to Apply

There is no separate application process notified for the Rajiv Gandhi Prakritik Kheti Start-up Yojana. However, farmers who are interested in adopting natural farming can submit an enquiry through the "Contact for Natural Farming" option available on the official natural farming portal. The Agriculture Department can then provide information and guidance about the applicable natural-farming process and support.

• Visit the official Prakritik Kheti Khushhal Kisan Yojana portal of the Himachal Pradesh Agriculture Department.
• Click on the option provided for farmers interested in adopting natural farming.
• Submit the required details through the form provided for expressing interest in natural farming.
• The concerned Agriculture Department officials will guide eligible farmers regarding the applicable natural-farming activities, registration and support.
• Farmers who are required to obtain natural-farming certification can separately use the SITARA registration facility available on the portal.
• After completing the applicable process, eligible farmers can avail the benefits and procurement support available under the relevant natural-farming provisions.

Relevant Links

• Enquiry form for farmers interested in natural farming
• Himachal Pradesh Agriculture Department Portal
• Himachal Pradesh Prakritik Kheti Khushhal Kisan Yojana Portal

Contact Information

• Agriculture Department, Himachal Pradesh Contact Details