National Mission on Natural Farming: Advancing Sustainable Agriculture

The Government of India has launched the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) with an allocation of ₹2,481 crore, aiming to promote natural farming across the nation. This scheme, approved by the Union Cabinet on November 25, 2024, will target 1 crore farmers and cover around 750,000 hectares of land over the next two years. The initiative integrates various past efforts, including the Bhartiya Prakratik Krishi Paddhati and Gobardhan Mission, to promote Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) and other locally adapted farming methods.

Key Features of the Mission

Total Outlay & Funding Structure: ₹2,481 crore with ₹1,584 crore from the Centre and ₹897 crore from States till 2025-26.

Target Areas: The mission will focus on 15,000 clusters in Gram Panchayats, with a primary focus on farmers already practicing natural farming and those supported by rural livelihood missions and Farmer Producer Organisations.

Training & Demonstration: 2,000 model demonstration farms will be established at Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) and Agricultural Universities (AUs) to train farmers in natural farming practices and preparation of inputs like Jeevamrit and Beejamrit.

Support for Farmers

Bio-input Resource Centres (BRCs): 10,000 BRCs will provide farmers with ready-to-use natural farming inputs.

Farmer Engagement: 30,000 Krishi Sakhis will assist in mobilizing and training farmers, ensuring effective implementation.

Scientific Concerns and Challenges

While the mission promotes organic and natural farming, experts raise concerns over the ability to compensate for nutrient deficiencies in soil using only organic materials. For crops like paddy, significant quantities of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium are required for optimal yields. Organic manure, while beneficial, may not provide enough of these critical nutrients, potentially affecting productivity without adequate supplementation.

Connecting Past and Present Efforts

The launch of the NMNF marks the culmination of various government initiatives, starting with the 2019-20 Bhartiya Prakratik Krishi Paddhati program. The ongoing mission to build a natural farming corridor along the Ganges and other pilot projects laid the foundation for this expansive national initiative, now aiming for larger coverage and integration across India’s diverse agro-ecological zones.

Summery of the news