To promote natural farming on a large scale in the state, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini announced on Thursday the establishment of natural and organic mandis in Gurugram and Hisar. The Gurugram mandi will cater to produce such as wheat, paddy and pulses, while the Hisar mandi will focus on fruits and vegetables grown through natural and organic methods. In addition, a committee will be formed under the Haryana Kisan Kalyan Pradhikaran to determine fair pricing for produce grown using natural and organic farming practices, he added.
Addressing the gathering during the Natural Farming Conference on the occasion of World Environment Day at CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, he announced financial support of Rs 20,000 per farmer for branding and packaging of natural farming products. Dedicated laboratories will also be established to test produce from natural and organic farming. These labs will offer testing services free of cost to farmers, said Saini.
The Chief Minister also announced that 53 acres of land belonging to the Agriculture Department in Block Pundri, district Kaithal, will be leased to farmers engaged in natural farming through an auction process. Furthermore, he said that in every panchayat, 10 per cent of panchayat land or at least one acre will be reserved exclusively for natural farming. This land will be allotted only to landless farmers via auction. As an additional incentive, those who will practice natural farming on government or panchayat land will also receive Rs 3,000 per farmer for purchasing four drums used in storing and processing raw materials under the Natural Farming Scheme. A subsidy of Rs 30,000 will also be provided for the purchase of a desi cow.
Saini said that on the occasion of World Environment Day, people across the globe are pledging to conserve air, water and soil, and exploring ways to make them pollution-free. In this context, he emphasized that natural farming offers a sustainable solution to these pressing environmental challenges. He added that natural farming will not only provide a new direction to agriculture in Haryana but also serve as an inspiration for the entire country.
He said that while India is now self-sufficient in food grain production, this achievement has come at a significant cost. The excessive use of chemical fertilizers has led to the pollution of land, water and air. To ensure a healthier and more empowered future for the coming generations, he stressed the need to transition towards natural farming practices.
Highlighting government efforts, the Chief Minister said the Natural Farming Scheme was launched in Haryana in 2022, with an initial allocation of Rs 97 crore, which is being progressively increased each year. A dedicated portal for natural farming has also been developed. As of now, around 1,84,665 farmers have registered 2,73,955 acres of land on the portal. Of these, 10,550 farmers have been verified for practicing natural farming on 17,087 acres.
He said that a target has been set to bring one lakh acres of land under natural farming in Haryana during the 2025–26 financial year. He shared that since the launch of the initiative in 2022, the state has organized 720 farmer seminars, 22 workshops, and one state-level fair, with the participation of over 35,000 farmers. To support the adoption of natural farming, training centers have been established at Gurukul in Kurukshetra, Hameti in Jind, Mangiana in Sirsa, and Gharaunda in Karnal. A state advisor has also been appointed to provide training to progressive farmers at the Gurukul Kurukshetra center.
Creating a plastic-free environment for nature conservation is our top priority
In another event on World Environment Day, CM Saini urged the people of the state to plant a tree as a step towards environmental conservation and a cleaner, greener future. He also called on citizens to pledge to stop using plastic, with the aim of making Haryana a plastic-free state.
At a function held in Charkhi Dadri, he also launched the second phase of the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign, the Green Aravali Action Plan, and the Miyawaki Plantation Campaign. In addition, he flagged off five electric buses, symbolizing the state’s commitment to combating air pollution.
He said that the Green Aravali Action Plan, developed with support from both the Central and State Governments, aims to rejuvenate and green the Aravalli region, which spans four states. The plan covers 29 districts in total, including five in Haryana.
Saini said that the primary objective of observing World Environment Day is to raise awareness about the various forms of pollution—air, water, and soil—and their harmful impacts. The theme for this year’s World Environment Day is "Plastic-Free Earth." He said that plastic pollution is causing significant harm to the environment, and its effects will pose serious risks to future generations. “It is our collective responsibility to keep the environment clean,” he said.
He said that five new electric buses were flagged off and pointed out that the government had committed in its Sankalp Patra to provide 375 electric buses across 11 municipal corporations, a goal that is constantly being achieved. Prior to this, around 45 electric buses had already been deployed under the city bus service across nine cities. Additionally, approximately 450 more electric buses are planned to be procured under the Pradhan Mantri E-Bus Seva Yojana by 2026 and will be integrated into the Roadways fleet. These buses will be allocated to cities including Gurugram, Faridabad, Panipat, Yamunanagar, Rohtak, and Hisar.
The CM said that over the next five years, the government aims to have around 30 percent of the Roadways fleet composed of electric buses. This initiative will significantly reduce diesel consumption and curb air pollution. To further encourage the adoption of electric vehicles, the government has introduced subsidies for the purchase of battery-operated vehicles.
