National Mission on Natural Farming

The National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF), launched in November 2024 as a standalone Centrally Sponsored Scheme, has enrolled over 10 lakh farmers and established 2,045 Bio-input Resource Centres

Institutionalising Chemical-Free Sustainable Agriculture

Introduction

• Approved by the Union Cabinet on 25 November 2024, the NMNF is aimed at promoting chemical-free, ecosystem-based farming.
• It restructured the earlier BharatiyaPrakritik Krishi Paddhati (BPKP) under PKVY.
• Financial outlay: ?2,481 crore (Centre: ?1,584 crore; States: ?897 crore).

Objectives of NMNF

• Reduce dependence on chemical inputs and enhance soil fertility.
• Improve farmer income by reducing input costs.
• Strengthen resilience of agriculture against climate shocks.
• Enhance biodiversity, ecosystem services, and food safety.
• Promote community-driven adoption through Krishi Sakhis and SHGs.

Features of NMNF

• Coverage:5 lakh hectares across 15,000 clusters.
• Bio-input Resource Centres (BRCs): 10,000 centres to ensure bio-input availability.
• Financial Incentive: ?4,000/acre/year for 2 years (max. 1 acre).
• Human Resource: 70,000 trained Krishi Sakhis for last-mile delivery.
• Monitoring: Real-time geo-tagging through an online portal.
• Certification: National Centre for Organic & Natural Farming (NCONF) under Participatory Guarantee System (PGS-India).

State-Level Initiatives as Models

• Andhra Pradesh: Community Managed Natural Farming (APCNF).
• Himachal Pradesh:PrakritikKhetiKhushhalKissan Yojana.
• Gujarat: SPKK &Pagala for Natural Farming.
• Rajasthan: Pilot scheme “Kheti Mein JaanTohSashaktKisan.”

Institutional Support

• Training: 806 institutions including KVKs, universities, NF institutes.
• Research: ICAR network developing NF cropping system PoPs.
• Outreach: MANAGE as knowledge partner; KVKs conducting 8,500 demonstrations/year.
• Extension: Blends traditional farmer knowledge with scientific validation.

Challenges

• Behavioural resistance: Shift from high-yield chemical-based to natural farming.
• Market access: Certification and branding gaps for NF produce.
• Productivity concerns: Yield stability in initial transition period.
• Scaling issue: Cluster-based model needs effective convergence with state schemes.

Way Forward

• Strengthen market linkages through APMCs, farmer markets, e-NAM, and branding.
• Provide transition insurance or risk support during initial low yields.
• Expand bio-input entrepreneurship via SHGs/FPOs.
• Integrate digital monitoring with crop health & soil parameters.
• Encourage research-backed PoPs for major agro-climatic zones.
• International collaboration on climate-resilient NF practices.