Haryana has launched a new grain market in Gurugram dedicated to the procurement of naturally grown produce to accelerate the adoption of natural farming practices. This initiative, backed by a newly installed testing lab for produce quality, aims to bring one lakh acres under natural farming. Officials are urging farmers to transition from traditional wheat-paddy cycles to diverse and sustainable cultivation practices supported by market access and institutional research.
Haryana’s move to establish a specialised grain market in Gurugram is a strategic push toward its ambitious goal of transitioning 1 lakh acres to natural farming. The newly launched market will focus exclusively on crops cultivated using eco-friendly, chemical-free methods, with an in-house laboratory to verify produce quality. Based on these assessments, a pricing committee will fix rates and facilitate procurement, ensuring farmers receive fair value for their sustainable produce. Currently, about 10,000 acres are under natural farming across the state, and officials expect this figure to increase steadily with enhanced market linkages and dedicated platforms like this. This policy shift complements the state’s broader agricultural transformation, encouraging diversification beyond traditional cereals. By aligning price assurance with quality testing and targeted procurement, the grain market model offers a replicable framework for promoting environmentally sound farming systems, especially as climate change and soil degradation challenge the long-term viability of intensive monocropping.
The state’s natural farming campaign is further supported by the development of decentralised centres focusing on horticulture and allied sectors. Authorities confirmed that 11 of the planned 17 centres have been completed, with upcoming hubs in Ambala and Yamunanagar dedicated to litchi and strawberry research, respectively. These centres aim to boost farmer income through crop diversification, particularly by promoting fruit cultivation using Indo-Israel agricultural technologies. One such centre in Ladwa now produces over one lakh saplings annually from an initial stock of just 10,000. The state is also urging farmers to branch into fisheries, dairy, beekeeping, and floriculture to increase resilience against market shocks and erratic weather patterns. Officials noted that every scheme rolled out is subject to continuous feedback and revision to maximise farmer benefit. The overall approach reflects an integrated, market-backed agricultural transition with long-term sustainability and climate resilience at its core.
Haryana’s targeted initiatives to mainstream natural farming are laying the foundation for a resilient, diversified agricultural economy. With institutional support, market access, and modern infrastructure like testing labs and crop-specific centres, farmers are being nudged towards sustainable livelihoods beyond chemical-intensive practices. The Gurugram grain market serves as a pioneering example of how structured procurement and quality assurance can drive systemic change. As natural farming gains ground in the state, this model could influence similar agri-policies across India, aligning local farming practices with national goals for food security, soil health restoration, and climate-smart agriculture.
Also Read: Nagpur Farmers Diversify into Sericulture, Generate Sustainable Income Surge
Gurugram Sets Up Market to Promote Statewide Natural Farming Drive
Â
