Himachal Capsicum Trial Reports Higher Returns Under Natural-Farming System
Rural Development Today | 5 October 2026 | Development Connects
A peer-reviewed study published in Scientific Reports on 5 October 2026 provides new field evidence on natural farming in capsicum production in the mid-hills of Himachal Pradesh. The experiment compared a natural-farming system with conventional farming during the 2023 and 2024 cropping seasons.
The natural system combined ghanjeevamrit during land preparation, seed treatment with beejamrit, periodic jeevamrit application, French bean as an intercrop and finger millet as a border crop. Researchers reported improvements in several soil physicochemical and microbiological indicators and reductions in some pest and disease parameters.
The study reported an average crop-equivalent yield of about 365.8 quintals per hectare under natural farming compared with about 347.6 quintals per hectare under conventional farming. Net returns were reported at approximately ₹11.72 lakh per hectare under natural farming and ₹7.44 lakh under conventional management.
These findings apply to a specific crop, agro-climatic zone and two-year period and should not automatically be generalised. The researchers also identify foliar diseases, particularly powdery mildew, as an area requiring better management. The study is valuable because it shifts discussion towards measurable comparisons of soil health, pest incidence, yield and financial return.
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