District to Develop Model Natural Farming Villages Across Every Block

Shimla July 17: Shimla Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap has announced that a Model Village for natural farming will be established in every development block under the National Mission on Natural Farming, with two such villages planned in the Keval-Tutu block. The initiative aims to integrate agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry and fisheries schemes through the Panchayati Raj system to promote sustainable farming and strengthen rural livelihoods.

The district plans to expand the programme by adding 18 new natural farming clusters, taking the total to 68, with an investment of over ₹4.27 crore. Around 7,000 farmers are targeted under the mission, while 33 Bio-Input Resource Centres and more than 136 trained Krishi Sakhis will provide technical support. Children in 12 childcare institutions will also receive hands-on training in natural farming to encourage environmental awareness from an early age.