Himachal Pradesh - Prakritik Kheti Khushhal Kisan Yojana (PK3Y)

Prakritik Kheti Khushhal Kisan Yojana (PK3Y) is being implemented in Himachal Pradesh since May 2018. Under PK3Y, farmers of Himachal are being trained for natural farming method developed by Subhash Palekar. PK3Y's objective is to double the farmers' income by 2022.

The Organisational Structure of the project implementation at the state level can be found here.

According to the State Project Implementation Unit website, the following has been undertaken:

1. Capacity Building:

• Officers/officials working at different levels, have been trained in Subhash Palekar Natural Farming (SPNF) and have now been deputed further for implementation of the programme in their respective area.

• One Progressive farmer per Panchayat would be selected and will be trained in SPNF. Based on performance of these farmers, they can be further designated as Samooh Karyakarta or Samudayik karyakarta. Performance would be main criteria for selecting farmers as resource persons.

• All farmers in the Panchayat would be trained in SPNF by the trained farmers and SPNF team. Trained farmers will motivate and provide complete handholding support to other farmers in adoption of SPNF and would be supported by district SPNF team. Initially farmers may not put their 100% land under SPNF, but may be convinced to practice SPNF in smaller unit and may cover the total area in phased manner.

• Training programs on and exposure visits for SPNF would be organized for capacity building of farmers and extension officers at Block, District and state level. Norms approved in ATMA guidelines would be followed.

• Other than these, the department would organize mass awareness programmes on SPNF involving suitable resource persons. Large group of farmers would be invited to attend the programme. State and District Unit would also organize kisan goshthis at District and block level to educate farmers about natural farming. Respective SAUs and KVKs will also be associated in district and block level programmes.

1. Subsidies to farmers

• Department of Animal Husbandry would submit separate work plan to ensure availability of domestic cows in selected Districts and other areas. The subsidy of 50% subject to maximum of Rs. 25000/- would be given to SPNF practising farmers as per the scheme of Animal Husbandry Department in collaboration with NABARD.

• To facilitate on-farm input generation, financial assistance @ 75% as approved in the guidelines is to be provided to the farmers for purchase of plastic drums/tanks.

• To facilitate collection of cow urine, it is proposed to provide 80% assistance subject to maximum of Rs 8000/ family for lining of cowshed.

• Lump-sump assistance of Rs 50000/ per Prakritik Kheti Sansadhan Bhandar would be provided for running of the Bhandar. It may include packaging material, cowshed lining, drums as per requirement or any other material required. This bhandar will cater to the requirement of needy farmers in the village on nominal cost. Only one farmer per village is to be incentivized. This Bhandar will cater to the farmers who do not have a local cow or are unable to rear.

Here (page no. 76-85) is a case study on market access for organic and natural produce through Prakritik Kheti Khushhal Kisan Yojana of Himachal Pradesh done and published by Centre for Science and Environment (CSE).