HP to launch 'Himbhog' maize flour produced through natural farming

With more than 4,000 quintals of maize procured from the Himachal Pradesh farmers who had switched over to natural farming in the state, the state government proposes to introduce a brand - Himbhog to market maize flour.

- ASHWANI SHARMA

SHIMLA:

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said maize is one of the key crops being cultivated in the state as climatic conditions and soil health perfectly suits the crop.

He said that more than 4,000 quintals of maize have been procured from 1,506 farmer families practicing natural farming across the state, with the exception of the Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur districts.

The highest procurement was done from Solan district (1,140 quintals) followed by Chamba (810 quintals) and Mandi (650 quintals).

Himachal Pradesh was the first state in India to offer the highest Minimum Support Price (MSP) for wheat and maize. The government was providing Rs. 40 per kilogram for wheat and Rs. 30 per kilogram for maize produced through natural farming.