Himachal Pradesh Organic Farming Policy :

Organic farming to reduce/ replace use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides and reduce the cost of cultivation and improved productive capacity of Organic Farming .

 Vision : “Organic Himachal Pradesh”

1. Organic farming is widely practiced by the farmers of the state and they benefit from organic farming, economically and ecologically.

 2. Farmers and people enjoy pesticide free safe food, vegetables, fibre, fruits, milk and water; thereby, reducing human health risks.

3 .Youth of the state become engaged in self employment in the organic agribusiness and organic villages based agro tourism.

 4. Himachal as a state contributes to the global goals of reducing carbon foot prints, environmental health and agro biodiversity conservation.

Objectives  :

 In order to see that the dream of organic vision come true, it is imperative to undertake all necessary initiatives, including :

 1. Giving recognition and encouragement to the organic sector in the state; which includes the recognition of the relevance of organic sector to over all development of agriculture in the state and thereby linking organic sector with the agriculture development objectives of Himachal Pradesh.

2. Creating enabling environment for organic farming in the state, through developing appropriate policies, plans, and support services for activities, such as, organic production of lead cash crops- fruits and vegetables of the state, increasing yields in low-input areas, conserving biodiversity and natural resources on the farm, increasing income and reducing cost of cultivation and increase supply of safe food to local / national/ international markets.

 3. Develop favourable policies and plans to strengthen crop-livestock linkages of the farming sector and make Himachal an organic compost rich state.

4. Undertake steps to make Himachal Forests, grazing lands, pastures recognised as organic, certified/ uncertified, so as to facilitate organic grazing areas, organic fodder supply for livestock and organic non timber forest products.

5. Create investment environment for organic agribusiness and organic villages / valleys based organic agro tourism, so as to develop these a key sectors for self employment and value added on farm & off farm activities in rural development sector.

Organic Farming Policy: Strategies

1.Strategy for incorporating organic into agriculture development

2. Strategy for Awareness Raising

3. Strategy for Organic Research and Technology Support

4. Action Points for Research and Technology Support

5. Strategy for Strengthening Organic Extension Support Services

6. Strategy for Organic Quality Assurance of Himachal Produce

7. Strategy for Meeting Organic Input Requirements

8. Strategy for Building Organic Supply Chains and Marketing

9. Strategy for Identifying Organic Farming Niches

10. Strategy of Converting Institutional Farms into Organic Farms

Implementation :

1. For speedy and effective implementation of “Organic Farming Policy” the State Government will ensure an appropriate institutional mechanism and inter departmental linkages. The short term and long term actions required under the policy would be prioritised and suggested by a full time team of professionals having requisite expertise and experience.
2.  Reforming agriculture and allied sector policies to bring these in line with organic vision.
3.  Support services to organic farmers shall be strengthened.
4. Organisation of farmers into groups and their capacity building.
5.  To launch awareness programmes to educate farmers, consumers, civil society as a whole about the usefulness of organic farming.
6. Long term, medium term and short term projects targeted on scientific validation of organic farming practices, protocols, innovations will be taken up.
7.  A critical cadre of scientific manpower in organic agriculture which is capable of undertaking research in organic agriculture on critical issues of technology validation, refinement and innovations will be built up and consolidated.
8.  The two farm universities of the state will be encouraged to focus on research in organic agriculture. This will also enable the university scientists to formulate package of practices on different crops and farming systems.
9.  Projects on documentation, validation and refinement of technologies and practices shall be supported/ encouraged for preparing package of practices, organic crop guides, organic agricultural systems guides etc .
10.  The two farm universities, as well as others will be encouraged to launch diploma and certificate courses in organic agriculture, specially covering areas like input management, certification and inspection, supply chain management, retail marketing etc.
11.  State will consider creation of own organic certification body for certification of organic produce.
12. Government will facilitate creation of local service providers to ensure internal control system, input supplies and skill development of farmers.
13. To develop a repository of organic farmers and organic products, state level web hosted data base system shall be considered.