A state-level consultation organised by the Himachal Revitalising Rainfed Agriculture Network (HIM-RRAN) has called for a focused effort to promote millet cultivation in Himachal Pradesh. Held in Shimla under the theme “The Rise of Rainfed – Enhancing Resilience in Rainfed Agriculture Systems”, the event urged policymakers to adopt a holistic approach to existing farming systems, rather than treating them in isolation.
The two-day event brought together a diverse range of stakeholders—farmers, pastoralists, forest-dependent communities, government officials, and academic institutions. These groups shared experiences and insights that highlighted resilience and innovation in the face of Himachal’s challenging agro-climatic conditions.
Experts from the Himachal Forest Research Institute, University of Hyderabad, and the Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute (IGFRI) presented evidence on interventions relevant to the state’s fragmented landholdings, forest fire challenges, and fodder shortages.
The panelists emphasised the need to increase millet cultivation and establish end-to-end systems that support farmers—not only through income generation but also through household nutrition security. One of the key themes was the revival and mainstreaming of community-managed seed systems, grounded in Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK).
Participants stressed that Himachal's farming systems must be seen in connection with surrounding ecosystems—particularly forest fringes—and not through a linear, isolated lens. Addressing land degradation, wildlife conflict, and over-extraction is critical to ensuring livelihood security for the 80% rural population that depends on rainfed agriculture.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, who addressed the gathering, reaffirmed the state government's commitment to strengthening rural livelihoods. He highlighted the Prakritik Kheti Khushhal Kissan (PK3) Yojana, which promotes chemical-free natural farming with an aim to improve long-term resilience and farmer well-being.
The Chief Minister also supported the idea of providing a Minimum Support Price (MSP) for naturally grown crops and emphasised youth-led initiatives such as Millet Fellows, who are working at the grassroots to restore agrobiodiversity. He cited developments like the establishment of potato processing units and the creation of India’s first Natural Farming Sub-Division in Pangi.
The event explored themes such as reviving local food systems through traditional crops and seeds, enabling farmers to become decision-makers, not passive recipients, supporting direct income support measures like DBT and MSP, investing in processing infrastructure and value addition, and tackling farmer indebtedness through relief mechanisms.
There was also a focus on panchayat-centric soil and water management, including initiatives like spring shed revival and the creation of fodder banks.
A standout moment of the event was the recognition of the traditional 'Nau Anaaz' system—a multi-cropping model from Himachal Pradesh—promoted by Padma Shri awardee Nek Ram Sharma, who spoke extensively on its importance for food and ecological security.
Participants lauded Himachal Pradesh’s pioneering role in natural farming, driven by grassroots innovation and institutional leadership. They called for strengthening community-driven action and fostering multi-stakeholder collaboration to build resilience in rainfed agriculture.
As a predominantly hill state, Himachal Pradesh’s farming systems are largely rainfed, and face persistent challenges—declining crop diversity, climate vulnerability, and low returns for smallholders.
The consultation underscored the urgent need for integrated, community-led solutions to restore rural economies, boost landscape-level resilience, and secure a sustainable farming future for the state.
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