HP: Over 1,74,000 Farmers Embrace Natural Farming, Boost Crop Yields & Incomes

Spiti Valley, once renowned for its harsh conditions, is now undergoing a profound transformation, as local women farmers harness the wisdom of natural farming to enrich their crops and improve their livelihoods. This shift not only enhances their economic prospects but also promotes a more sustainable and health-conscious approach to agriculture.

Natural farming is a non-chemical, low-cost, and climate-resilient approach to agriculture that relies on the use of desi cow dung and urine.

Yeshe Dolma, a 43-year-old graduate and a full-time farmer from Lidang village in Kaza, Spiti Valley, praises the benefits of natural farming. She has seen her annual earnings rise from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 3 lakh since adopting natural farming practices. She has also been able to expand her crop cultivation and venture into new areas such as sapling cultivation in a polyhouse.

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Tenzin Dolma, another farmer in Spiti Valley, has also seen positive results from natural farming. She has observed that her pea pods are longer and more productive since she began using natural farming techniques.

Chhering Lamo and her husband Tanpa, who live in the world's highest motorable village, have also experienced a significant increase in pea and barley production since switching to natural farming.

Throughout Himachal Pradesh, a growing number of 1.74 lakh farmers, including a substantial representation of women, have embraced natural farming, either partially or completely. This shift has been facilitated by the Prakritik Kheti Khushhal Yojana (PK3Y), which has provided training to over 2 lakh farmers in natural farming techniques. As per data from the agricultural department, over 24,000 hectares of land have been dedicated to natural farming, indicating a sustained momentum in this movement.

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The shift to natural farming in Spiti Valley is not only benefiting the farmers themselves, but it is also promoting a more sustainable and health-conscious approach to agriculture. Natural farming methods help to improve soil health and produce crops that are free of harmful chemicals.

The growing popularity of natural farming in Spiti Valley is a positive development for the region and India as a whole. It shows that farmers are committed to finding sustainable and profitable ways to produce food, even in challenging environments.

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