Natural Farming in Himachal: PK3Y and CETARA–NF
Why in the news
Himachal Pradesh is shifting from chemical farming, helped by the PK3Y scheme and MSPs for naturally grown crops.
PK3Y in numbers
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Launch year | 2018 |
| Trained | 3.06 lakh farmers |
| Practising (partly or fully) | 2.22 lakh |
| CETARA–NF certified | Over 2 lakh |
About CETARA–NF
Certified Evaluation Tool for Agriculture Resource Analysis: an online tool where farmers check their own adherence to natural farming. It is simple, transparent, scalable and open to newcomers.
About natural farming
Growing crops without chemical fertilisers, pesticides or GM seeds, relying on natural processes.
Principles
- Healthy soil from compost, cow dung, neem and plant inputs.
- Local seeds, mixed crops and beneficial insects for pest control.
- Water saving through rainwater and mulching; long-term sustainability.
Exam angle
- PK3Y started in 2018.
- CETARA–NF is a self-assessment certification tool.