Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Saturday urged the Union Government to provide an "Integrated Natural Farming and Water Security Funding Package" for the state, seeking capital support for groundwater recharge, rainwater harvesting and the wider adoption of micro‑irrigation technologies, a state release said.
Centre requested to align finances with state initiatives
Speaking after participating in a two‑day conference organised by the Finance Ministry on Financing India’s Journey Towards Viksit Bharat, the Chief Minister outlined Haryana’s role in strengthening national foodgrain stocks and pressed for a centralised funding instrument that recognises the state’s specific agricultural and water management needs.
Saini said the discussions covered measures to further bolster state and national economies and also involved deliberations on agriculture and energy sector plans. He highlighted steps the state is taking in agriculture and horticulture and noted interactions with representatives from other states during the event.
Ambitious expansion of natural and organic farming
The Chief Minister provided details on Haryana’s targets for natural and organic farming, saying the area under such cultivation is projected to rise to around 50,000 acres in 2026‑27, roughly a fourfold increase over the previous year, with a longer‑term goal of extending coverage to 1.5 lakh acres by 2030‑31. He also said the state is developing a 2,000‑acre natural farming model cluster in Kurukshetra and has selected the Morni block to be developed as a model for natural vegetable cultivation.
| Item | Target / Detail |
|---|---|
| Area under natural & organic farming (2026‑27) | 50,000 acres |
| Long‑term target (by 2030‑31) | 1.5 lakh acres |
| Model cluster | 2,000 acres, Kurukshetra |
| Model block for vegetables | Morni block |
Water interventions and capital investment
Saini sought that the requested package include capital investment measures aimed at strengthening groundwater recharge and expanding rainwater harvesting infrastructure across the state. He also flagged the need to scale up micro‑irrigation — technologies that can reduce water use while improving irrigation efficiency.
The Chief Minister described the request as taking into account Haryana’s "specific circumstances and initiatives", asking the Centre to consider a special centrally sponsored integrated financial package to support those measures.
Why the request matters for Haryana
- Agriculture dependency: Haryana is a major contributor to national foodgrain reserves; changes in cultivation methods and water management can affect production and rural livelihoods.
- Water stress: The state faces long‑standing groundwater depletion concerns; targeted capital investments can support recharge and better water use.
- Transition costs: Moving to natural and organic farming at scale typically requires upfront investment, training and market linkages that many farmers cannot meet alone.
Officials from the state presented the initiatives being undertaken in agriculture and horticulture at the conference, while delegates from other states shared their plans, the release added.
What the package could include
While the release did not provide a detailed breakdown, Saini indicated that the proposed integrated package would likely combine:
- Funds for groundwater recharge and rainwater harvesting projects.
- Capital support for micro‑irrigation systems such as drip and sprinkler networks.
- Assistance for natural and organic farming clusters and capacity building for farmers.
State governments normally seek such Centrally Sponsored Schemes when initiatives require substantial capital outlay and coordination across departments dealing with agriculture, water resources and rural development. A formally approved package would involve negotiations over cost‑sharing patterns and implementation responsibilities between the Centre and the Haryana government.
The Chief Minister’s request comes at a time when several states are experimenting with low‑input and climate‑resilient farming methods; an integrated financial instrument for natural farming and water security would, if approved, be intended to bridge policy ambitions and on‑ground investment requirements.
The Finance Ministry organised the conference to discuss financing priorities for the nation’s development goals. The release did not give a timeline for any decision on Haryana’s request.
