Procurement of organic maize begins in Hamirpur

The state government started procuring maize produced through natural farming from local farmers. Deputy Commissioner Amarjit Singh said on the first day, 51.66 quintals of maize was bought at the rate of Rs 30 per kg. He said the farmers should take part in collective farming to get a better yield. He said Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu had announced the decision regarding the procurement of maize and wheat produced through natural farming at Rs 30 and Rs 40, respectively.

The DC said excessive use of chemical fertilisers and toxic pesticides in farming had adversely affected the human life. He said the state government was motivating and encouraging natural farming on a large scale and advising to not to use chemical fertilizers and toxic pesticides.

He said Himachal Pradesh had become the first state in the country to declare the minimum support price (MSP) for organically grown crops. He said farmers must come forward to adopt natural farming and make big benefits of the government schemes.