<span style="color: #222222;">Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur has said, state government is committed to make Himachal Pradesh a natural farming state. <br />''<br />''Interacting with Padam Shri awardee agriculturist Subhash Palekar, The Chief Minister said, his government was encouraging natural farming using bio-pesticides and bio- insecticides. </span><br />''<br />''He said, the state government is providing 50 percent subsidy with a maximum limit of 25,000 rupees for purchase of cows of indigenous breed to farmers engaged in natural farming. Mr Thakur said, the state government is trying to double farmers' income by 2022. <br />''<br />''He said, 'Prakritik Kheti  Khushhal Kisan Yojna' would go a long way in this direction as organic products would not only fetch remunerative prices to the farmers but would also provide chemical-free fruits, vegetables and other eatable articles to the consumers.<br />''<span style="color: #222222;"><br />''Mr Palekar said that natural farming would not only help in doubling the farm income but would also go a long way in checking the dreaded diseases caused by excessive use of chemical fertilizers</span><br />