Turmeric Man of Himachal Pradesh

The state government has recently unveiled the HIM-UNNATI scheme, a transformative initiative aimed at promoting natural farming across the region. With a substantial allocation of Rs 150 crore, this scheme is poised to bolster the efforts of approximately 1.92 lakh farmers who are already practising chemical-free farming on over 32,149 hectares of land.

Empowering Farmers Through Cluster-Based Development

The HIM-UNNATI scheme is designed to make the agriculture sector more economically viable by implementing a cluster-based development model. This approach will focus on consolidating smallholding farmers, enabling them to achieve bulk production and ensure a sufficient marketable surplus. By organizing farmers into clusters, the scheme aims to enhance productivity and profitability, creating a more sustainable agricultural ecosystem.

The initiative also plans to integrate various ongoing agricultural schemes, ensuring a coordinated approach with departments such as Animal Husbandry, Horticulture, Fisheries, and Rural Development. This collaboration is expected to maximize the scheme’s impact, providing comprehensive support to farmers and enhancing the overall efficiency of the agricultural sector.

A Special Focus on Marginalized Farmers

One of the key aspects of the HIM-UNNATI scheme is its focus on benefiting small and marginal farmers, particularly those from vulnerable sections of society. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu emphasized that the scheme is tailored to support women farmers, farmers from Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST), as well as Below Poverty Line (BPL) families. By prioritizing these groups, the scheme aims to create more inclusive growth within the agricultural sector, ensuring that the benefits of natural farming are accessible to all.

Creating Self-Employment Opportunities

The HIM-UNNATI scheme is expected to generate significant self-employment opportunities, particularly for the state's rural population. The creation of 2,600 focused agricultural clusters is a cornerstone of this initiative, which is projected to provide self-employment to around 50,000 farmers. These clusters will not only facilitate bulk production but also improve market access, enabling farmers to sell their produce at more competitive prices.

Boosting Agricultural Productivity

Another major objective of the HIM-UNNATI scheme is to increase the productivity of key crops such as vegetables and cereals. The initiative is expected to boost productivity by 15-20 per cent, which would have a substantial impact on the state's food security and economic stability. By promoting natural farming methods, the scheme aims to enhance soil health, reduce dependency on chemical inputs, and increase the resilience of crops to climate change.

A Step Towards Sustainable Agriculture

The HIM-UNNATI scheme represents a significant step towards sustainable agriculture in the state. By promoting natural farming, the initiative seeks to reduce the environmental footprint of agricultural practices, protect biodiversity, and ensure the long-term health of the land. The integration of various agricultural departments and the focus on cluster-based development further strengthen the scheme's potential to transform the agricultural landscape.

Conclusion

The HIM-UNNATI scheme is more than just an agricultural initiative; it is a comprehensive strategy to empower farmers, promote sustainable practices, and ensure the economic viability of the agriculture sector. With its emphasis on natural farming, inclusion of marginalized communities, and creation of self-employment opportunities, the scheme is set to make a lasting impact on the state's rural economy. As the scheme unfolds, it holds the promise of transforming the agricultural sector into a more resilient, sustainable, and prosperous industry.