From Fields to Self-Reliance: Natural Farming Transforms Lives in Joginder Nagar

The Himachal Pradesh government’s push for natural farming under the vision of the ‘Sukh Ki Sarkar’ is beginning to show real, on-ground results. In the Joginder Nagar sub-division, farmers like Ajay Kumar of Tikkari Mushehra and the women-led Kamla Group of Gram Panchayat Sagnehad have emerged as inspiring examples of how the right policies, training and determination can change rural lives.

Ajay Kumar has been practicing natural farming since 2003, long before it became a policy priority. He recalls that in the early years, selling naturally grown produce was a major struggle due to the lack of markets and fair prices. That challenge has now eased with the state government fixing Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for natural products. Recently, Ajay sold two quintals of maize to the government at MSP, earning over ₹6,000. He credits the current government for ensuring fair prices and creating farmer-friendly policies that recognize the value of natural produce.

A similar story of progress is unfolding in Sagnehad, where Kamla Devi has been associated with natural farming since 2018. For her, farming without chemical fertilizers and pesticides has brought not just better income, but also healthier food for her family. Along with nearly 20 other women, she formed the Kamla Group, which is steadily promoting natural farming in the village.

The collective effort of the group paid off recently when they sold two quintals of maize and six quintals of wheat to the government at MSP. In addition, they received transport assistance at ₹2 per quintal. Altogether, the Kamla Group received ₹37,200, strengthening both their income and confidence.

Beyond food grains, Ajay Kumar and the Kamla Group are also cultivating vegetables, ragi and other crops using natural methods, creating additional income sources. Under the ATMA project, a two-day training camp was organized in the village, where the women were trained in advanced natural farming techniques. Following this training, traders have started purchasing naturally grown ragi from the group at attractive prices.

To further promote natural farming, the state government has fixed MSPs at ₹40 per kg for maize, ₹60 per kg for wheat and ₹90 per kg for natural turmeric. These assured prices are encouraging more farmers in the region to shift towards chemical-free agriculture.

Kamla Devi believes natural farming is not just an economic choice, but a lifestyle change. “It gives us a better income and pure, safe food for our families,” she says, appealing to more people to adopt natural farming practices.

The success of Ajay Kumar and the Kamla Group clearly shows that when supportive government policies, proper training and farmers’ hard work come together, natural farming can become a strong pillar of rural development and self-reliance.