Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini directs Smart Agriculture Zones and organic certification labs to ensure higher prices for farmers’ crops.

Chandigarh : Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini emphasized the need for establishing laboratories to certify organic farm produce, ensuring that farmers can obtain better prices for their crops following certification.

The Chief Minister chaired the fourth meeting of the Haryana Kisan Kalyan Pradhikaran (HKKP) on Wednesday. The meeting was attended by key officials including Environment and Forest Minister Rao Narbir Singh, Cooperation Minister Sh. Arvind Sharma, Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shyam Singh Rana, Irrigation and Water Resources Minister Shruti Choudhry, Minister of State for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Rajesh Nagar, and OSD to the CM Virender Badhkhalsa.

During the event, CM Saini also released a booklet from the Fisheries Department titled “Report of the Working Group on Fisheries Development in Haryana”.

The Chief Minister directed officers to encourage farmers to adopt organic and natural farming practices. As a pilot initiative, a “Smart Agriculture Zone” covering 5,000 acres will be developed where farmers will be guided in natural farming techniques and assured that they will not incur losses. While organic produce typically fetches premium prices, the State Government will provide compensation if farmers face any income shortfall.

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CM Saini further instructed that a laboratory for certification of natural farming produce be established promptly to guarantee better market prices for certified crops. He also emphasized sustainable practices, including the adoption of micro-irrigation systems and effective water management, as well as the development of high-quality seeds for various crops.

To strengthen outreach, the Chief Minister asked officers to prepare a calendar of farmer meetings, workshops, seminars, training programs, and awareness campaigns up to the block level. These programs will educate farmers on the benefits of natural farming and the adverse effects of excessive chemical fertilizers and pesticides.

Detailed discussions were also held on several initiatives under the Haryana Kisan Kalyan Pradhikaran, including pilot cooperative farming clusters, advanced drainage techniques, solarisation under PM-KUSUM, crop diversification, joint dairy projects, shrimp farming, goat and sheep rearing, and promotion of oilseeds and pulses during Kharif season. CM Saini directed that more schemes should be women-centric to further empower women in Haryana.