Himachal Pradesh Raises MSP for Natural Farming Crops
Himachal Pradesh has raised MSP for natural farming crops, including wheat, maize, turmeric, and barley, to boost farmer incomes and promote sustainable agriculture. The Cabinet also approved 1,500 government jobs, including police constables and forest guards, aiming to strengthen governance and create employment opportunities across the state.
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The Himachal Pradesh Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, has approved a significant increase in Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for crops grown under natural farming, aiming to boost farmer incomes and promote sustainable agriculture.
Under the revised rates, wheat MSP has been increased from Rs 60 to Rs 80 per kg, while maize will now be procured at Rs 50 per kg compared to the earlier Rs 40. Barley grown in the Pangi Valley of Chamba district has also seen a hike from Rs 60 to Rs 80 per kg.
Notably, raw turmeric witnessed a steep rise in MSP from Rs 90 to Rs 150 per kg, reflecting the government’s focus on high-value crops. Additionally, ginger will now be procured at Rs 30 per kg.
The move is expected to incentivize farmers to shift towards natural farming practices by ensuring better price realization and reducing dependence on chemical inputs. The state government has been actively promoting eco-friendly farming as part of its long-term agricultural strategy.
Apart from agriculture-related decisions, the Cabinet also approved the creation and filling of 1,500 government posts to strengthen public services. This includes 1,000 posts of police constables aimed at improving law enforcement and internal security across the state.
In the Forest Department, 500 posts of Assistant Forest Guards have been sanctioned, with 50% of these reserved for Van Mitras. This step is expected to generate employment opportunities for grassroots workers already engaged in forest conservation activities.
