23,000 Farmers Adopt Natural Farming Across 4,812 Hectares in Chamba: DC Mukesh Repswal

Chamba, February 19, 2026: Deputy Commissioner Mukesh Repswal chaired a review meeting under the ATMA (Agriculture Technology Management Agency) project to assess achievements during 2025–26 and discuss the proposed budget for the upcoming financial year. Emphasising sustainable agriculture, the Deputy Commissioner stated that nearly 23,000 farmers and horticulturists in the district are currently practising natural farming across 4,812 hectares of land.

During the meeting, officials reviewed the utilisation of the allocated budget of ₹1.46 crore for the current financial year, of which ₹1.10 crore has already been spent. A proposal of ₹1.80 crore has been submitted for the 2026–27 fiscal year to further expand activities promoting natural farming. The Deputy Commissioner highlighted that initiatives under the centrally supported ATMA and National Natural Farming Mission, along with the state-backed Rajiv Gandhi Natural Farming Khushhal Kisan Yojana, are being implemented to encourage eco-friendly agricultural practices.

Awareness camps, workshops and exposure visits within and outside the state are being organised to motivate farmers to adopt natural farming methods. Officials from agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry, fisheries and Krishi Vigyan Kendra were directed to work in coordination so that farmers can access multiple schemes through a single platform. The administration has also set a target of identifying 8–10 progressive farmers in each panchayat to strengthen grassroots adoption of sustainable farming practices.

The Deputy Commissioner emphasised that Chamba has vast potential in agriculture and horticulture, and with proper guidance and planning, natural farming can significantly enhance farmers’ income and productivity while ensuring long-term sustainability.