Himachal Pradesh Prakritik Kheti Khushhal Kisan Yojana

Scheme Introduction: A Brief Overview

Prakritik Kheti Khushhal Kisan Yojana is a major Himachal Pradesh Government scheme launched in 2018-19 to help farmers shift towards low-cost natural farming, reduce their dependence on chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and improve the long-term sustainability of agriculture. The scheme promotes the Subhash Palekar Natural Farming (SPNF) method, which encourages farmers to use locally available resources such as desi cow dung, cow urine and plant-based preparations to prepare essential farm inputs.

Himachal Pradesh began its natural farming journey on 29 January 2018 at Palampur with the launch of the Natural Farming Project, initially known as the Zero Budget Natural Farming Project. The programme was later developed around the Subhash Palekar Natural Farming method and expanded under the Prakritik Kheti Khushhal Kisan programme with the objective of taking natural farming to farmers and horticulturists across the state.

What makes the scheme particularly useful for farmers is that the government provides targeted financial assistance to help them set up the basic resources needed for natural farming. Eligible farmers can receive 75% assistance for drums/tanks, up to ₹25,000 as 50% subsidy for purchasing an indigenous/desi cow, up to ₹8,000 for cow-shed improvement, and ₹10,000 one-time assistance for establishing a Natural Farming Resource Centre. Along with financial support, farmers receive training, technical guidance and exposure visits to understand and adopt the natural farming method correctly.

The scheme therefore goes beyond simply promoting chemical-free cultivation. It helps farmers reduce their dependence on purchased agricultural inputs by encouraging them to prepare natural inputs at the farm or village level. Through this approach, the government aims to lower cultivation costs, improve soil health, protect the environment and support better farm income. Farmers can also access natural farming certification and market-related support for their produce through the state's natural farming programme.

For farmers planning to adopt natural farming in Himachal Pradesh, the scheme provides a combination of financial assistance, training, technical support, certification and market facilitation, making it easier to move towards a more affordable and sustainable farming system.

What is Natural Farming?

Natural farming is a low-cost farming method that discourages chemical inputs and promotes the use of locally available natural resources. Under SPNF, farmers are encouraged to prepare their own farm inputs using desi cow dung, cow urine and local plant materials.

The method mainly uses four practices:

Benefits and Financial Assistance

Drum Assistance: How Many Drums Can You Get?

The number of drums depends on the farmer's landholding:

Farmers must obtain the required permission from the concerned BTT Coordinator before purchasing the drums/tanks. The BTM/ATM verifies the application and supporting documents before the assistance is released under the prescribed procedure.

Eligibility Requirements

• The applicant should be a farmer adopting Subhash Palekar Natural Farming in Himachal Pradesh.
• The applicant must satisfy the conditions of the particular benefit being claimed.
• For drum assistance, the applicable landholding limit must be followed.
• For cow-shed assistance, the farmer should have an indigenous/desi breed cow.
• For a Natural Farming Resource Centre, only the selected farmer in the concerned village can receive the assistance.

Required Documents

• Prescribed application form
• Farmer and land-related documents, where applicable
• Proof of adoption of Subhash Palekar Natural Farming, where required
• Purchase bills and expenditure records for reimbursement-based assistance
• Documents relating to an indigenous/desi cow for cow-related benefits
• Any other document required by the concerned Agriculture Department/ATMA office

Steps to Apply

Farmers interested in adopting natural farming or availing themselves of assistance under the scheme should follow the prescribed process through the Agriculture Department and ATMA system. The process generally involves the following steps:

1. Visit the nearest Agriculture Department or ATMA(Agricultural Technology Management Agency) office at the block level and enquire about the benefit you wish to avail under the scheme.
2. Discuss the relevant assistance, such as support for drums/tanks, purchase of an indigenous cow, cow-shed improvement or establishment of a Natural Farming Resource Centre, and confirm the applicable conditions.
3. Obtain the prescribed application form and fill in the required details carefully.
4. Attach the required supporting documents and submit the completed application to the concerned official.
5. For benefits such as drums or tanks, obtain the required permission before making the purchase or undertaking the approved activity.
6. Where assistance is provided against eligible expenditure, preserve the purchase bills, labour records and other supporting documents required for verification.
7. The concerned BTM/ATM (Block Technology Manager/Assistant Technology Manager) will examine the application and verify the documents, purchase or completed activity, wherever applicable.
8. Once the application and claim are approved, the eligible financial assistance will be released according to the prescribed scheme procedure.

Certification, Market Support and Government Convergence

• Natural Farming Certification: Himachal Pradesh has a Self-Assessed Certification System for natural farming. Farmers can register through the official SPNF portal. The certification system helps improve the transparency and traceability of natural farming produce, and the certification facility is provided free of cost.

• Market Support: The state government has taken steps to improve market access for natural farming products through procurement support for selected produce and efforts to establish Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) for better aggregation and marketing.
• Procurement: Procurement rates and quantities may vary according to government decisions and the financial year. Farmers should check the latest official procurement notification before relying on any particular procurement rate or quantity.
• Convergence with Central Government Programmes: The scheme is implemented in convergence with the ATMA project and central government natural farming programmes. The Government of India has also launched the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) to promote natural farming across the country.

Relevant Links

• Department of Agriculture, Himachal Pradesh
• Subhash Palekar Natural Farming (SPNF) Portal
• Government Assistance to Farmers – SPNF
• Himachal Pradesh Government Forms Portal
• Prakritik Kheti Khushhal Kisan Yojana Guidelines
• Prakritik Kheti Khushhal Kisan Yojana Current Updates

Contact Information

Department of Agriculture, Government of Himachal Pradesh

• Address: Directorate of Agriculture, Krishi Bhawan Boileauganj, Shimla – 171005 Himachal Pradesh
• Phone: 0177-2830162, 2830618, 2830174
• Email: [email protected]

State Project Implementation Unit (SPIU)

• Address: Prakritik Kheti Khushhal Kisan Yojana State Project Implementation Unit (SPIU) Directorate of Agriculture, Krishi Bhawan Baluganj, Shimla – 171005 Himachal Pradesh
• Phone: +91 177 2830767
• Email: [email protected]

For application and benefit-related queries, contact the concerned Agriculture Department office at the block level.

Farmers can approach the concerned BTM/ATM under ATMA for application assistance and verification.

For natural farming registration and certification, visit the official SPNF Himachal Pradesh portal.