Chandigarh (Balwinder Singh): The Haryana government plans to promote natural farming on panchayat land, with 10% of such land to be leased for the practice in the first phase from early 2027, Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shyam Singh Rana said on Friday.
The proposal aims to expand natural farming beyond government-owned agricultural land and encourage village panchayats to participate in the initiative. Rana also said separate arrangements would be made in grain markets for the sale of produce grown through natural farming.
The minister shared the plans while chairing a meeting in Chandigarh to review the implementation of state Budget announcements and Chief Minister’s announcements. Additional Chief Secretary of the Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Department, Vijai Vardhan Kumar, was also present, according to the government release.
How Much Panchayat Land Will Haryana Lease For Natural Farming?
In the first phase, the state plans to lease 10% of panchayat land for natural farming, beginning early next year.
Rana said panchayats would be encouraged to promote natural farming on their land. The government also plans to undertake natural farming on 800 acres of state-owned land.
The announcement did not specify the total area of panchayat land that could be covered, the lease terms or the eligibility criteria for farmers. Further details are awaited.
Will Natural Farming Produce Get Separate Arrangements In Mandis?
The Haryana government plans to establish a separate arrangement in grain markets for selling produce grown through natural farming, Rana said.
The proposed arrangement is intended to distinguish such produce within the market system. However, details about procurement, certification, pricing and how farmers will access the facility have not yet been announced.
What Is Haryana Doing To Restore Waterlogged Land?
During the meeting, officials informed the minister that the state had restored one lakh acres of waterlogged, or seemgrast, land last year.
For the current year, the target has been set at 1.40 lakh acres. Around 22,000 acres had been restored so far, according to the figures presented at the meeting.
Rana directed officials to speed up the implementation of agricultural schemes and ensure that Budget and Chief Minister’s announcements are completed within the prescribed timelines.
What Did Haryana Say About Tube-Well Water Testing?
The minister also reviewed progress on soil testing and tube-well water testing, directing officials to accelerate the process and encourage farmers to get their water tested.
According to the department’s figures presented at the meeting, around 3,000 farmers had undergone tube-well water testing so far.
He also reviewed the Mera Pani Meri Virasat scheme, under which farmers receive incentives for growing alternative crops instead of paddy. The government’s stated objective is to encourage better water management and diversify cropping patterns.
