GS Paper - II

The Union Cabinet approved the launch of the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) as a standalone Centrally Sponsored Scheme under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare. The NMNF aims to promote natural farming in mission mode across the country.

What is natural farming?

• The Agriculture Ministry defines natural farming as a “chemical-free” farming system that only uses inputs produced using livestock and plant resources.
• The ministry plans to implement this first across the districts with high fertiliser consumption.

Is the NMNF a new initiative?

• No. The proposed NMNF is an improvement of the Bhartiya Prakritik Krishi Paddhti (BPKP) launched by the NDA government in its second term (2019-24).
• The initiative was launched under an umbrella scheme of Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojna (PKVY).
• The Centre also promoted natural farming in a five-kilometre belt along the Ganga River under the Namami Gange scheme in the financial year 2022-23.
• The NDA’s return to power in June after the Lok Sabha elections saw a renewed focus on promoting natural farming, with the government launching the NMNF in the first 100 days. The government decided to upscale the experience gained from the BPKP into a mission mode through the NMNF.

How much area has been covered under natural farming so far?

• An overall area of 22 lakh hectares has been brought under natural farming to date, with 34 lakh farmers engaged in the practice.
• This includes 4 lakh hectares under BPKP and 88,000 hectares under Namami Gange.
• About 17 lakh hectares are covered under various state government initiatives to promote natural farming.
• The NMNF mission aims to bring an additional 7.5 lakh hectares of area under natural farming.

How is the mission different from the earlier interventions?

• The natural farming mission is different from the earlier initiatives in several ways. First, it has a higher budgetary outlay.
• Second, it targets over one crore farmers. Moreover, it aims to create an ecosystem for sustainable natural farming in the country.
• It also aims to establish “scientifically supported common standards and easy farmer friendly certification procedures for naturally grown chemical free produce.” It also envisages a single national brand for naturally grown chemical-free produce.
• According to an official statement, the scheme has a total outlay of Rs. 2,481 crore of which the central government will contribute Rs.1584 crore and the states Rs.897 crore) till the 15th Finance Commission (2025-26).
• Under NMNF, around 2000 NF Model Demonstration Farms shall be established at Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), Agricultural Universities (AUs) and farmers’ fields, and shall be supported by experienced and trained Farmer Master Trainers.
• The willing farmers will be trained in Model Demonstration Farms on the NF package of practices, preparation of NF inputs, etc. near their villages in KVKs, AUs and practising NF farmers’ fields.

Why a mission on natural farming?

• The mission to promote natural farming aims to combat the excessive use of fertilisers.
• Natural Farming practices will help farmers to reduce input cost of cultivation and dependency on externally purchased inputs while rejuvenating soil health, fertility & quality and building resilience to climate risks like waterlogging, flood, drought, etc.
• These practices also reduce health risks from exposure to fertilisers, pesticides, etc. and provide healthy & nutritious food for the farmers’ family.
• Further, through Natural Farming, a healthy Mother Earth is bequeathed to the future generations.
• Through improvement of soil carbon content & water use efficiency, there is an increase in soil microorganisms and biodiversity in NF.