National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF)

1. The Union Cabinet approved the launch of the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) on November 25, 2024, under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare.
2. The NMNF is a scheme aimed at promoting natural farming on a large scale across the country.
3. Before the NMNF, there was a similar initiative, the Bhartiya Prakritik Krishi Paddhti (BPKP), launched in 2019 under the NDA government.
4. This initiative focused on promoting natural farming practices in select areas.
5. Additionally, the Namami Gange scheme promoted natural farming along the Ganga River in the 2022-23 financial year.
6. With the renewed focus on natural farming after the Lok Sabha elections, the government decided to build on the experiences from these earlier efforts and launch the NMNF.
7. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, in her Budget Speech in July 2024, announced that the government would bring 1 crore farmers into natural farming within the next 2 years.
8. She also highlighted the establishment of 10,000 bio-input resource centers to support this transition.
9. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his Independence Day speech, expressed his gratitude to farmers adopting natural farming for their role in environmental conservation.

What is Natural Farming?

1. Natural Farming is a chemical-free farming system rooted in Indian tradition enriched with modern understanding of ecology, resource recycling and on-farm resource optimization.
2. It is considered as agroecology based diversified farming system which integrates crops, trees and livestock with functional biodiversity.
3. It is largely based on on-farm biomass recycling with major stress on biomassmulching, use of on-farm cow dung-urine formulations; maintaining soil aeration and exclusion of all synthetic chemical inputs.
4. Natural farming is expected to reduce dependency on purchased inputs.
5. It is considered as a cost- effective farming practice with scope for increasing employment and rural development.

Andhra Pradesh was the first state in India to introduce Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) in 2016. Sikkim has become India's first fully organic state by implementing organic practices on around 75,000 hectares of agricultural land.

Area and Farmer Engagement:

1. As of 2024, approximately 22 lakh hectares of land have been brought under natural farming, involving 34 lakh farmers.
2. This includes 4 lakh hectares under the BPKP, and 88,000 hectares under the Namami Gange scheme.
3. Additionally, 17 lakh hectares are covered by state-level initiatives promoting natural farming.
4. The NMNF aims to expand this effort significantly, targeting 7.5 lakh hectares of additional area over the next two years.
5. The mission will engage 1 crore farmers in 15,000 clusters across willing Gram Panchayats.

Implementation of the Mission

Key Activity	Details
Clusters for Natural Farming (NF)	The NMNF will be implemented in 15,000 clusters across willing Gram Panchayats. The clusters will engage 1 crore farmers and cover 7.5 lakh hectares of land.
Bio-Input Resource Centres (BRCs)	10,000 BRCs will be set up to ensure easy access to ready-to-use natural farming inputs, such as Jeevamrit and Beejamrit. These centres will support farmers in their transition to natural farming.
Model Demonstration Farms	2,000 Model Demonstration Farms will be established at Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), Agricultural Universities (AUs), and farmers' fields to train farmers in natural farming practices.
Farmer Training	18.75 lakh farmers will be trained in natural farming practices through workshops and demonstrations. 30,000 Krishi Sakhis/CRPs will help with awareness generation and mobilizing farmers.

Budget and Financial Support

Financial Details	Amount
Total Budget for NMNF	Rs. 2,481 crore
Central Government Contribution	Rs. 1,584 crore
State Government Contribution	Rs. 897 crore
Time Period	The scheme will run till the 15th Finance Commission (2025-26).

Difference from Earlier Initiatives

Aspect	Earlier Initiatives	NMNF Features
Budget	The BPKP and Namami Gange scheme had a smaller budget.	Higher budget outlay: Rs. 2,481 crore for NMNF.
Target Audience	Earlier schemes targeted specific areas (e.g., Ganga belt) or limited regions.	NMNF aims for nationwide coverage with the goal of reaching 1 crore farmers across multiple states.
Farmer Engagement	Engagement was limited to a few areas.	1 crore farmers will be enrolled, and 15,000 clusters will be targeted.
Certification and Branding	No unified certification system for natural farming.	NMNF aims to establish scientifically supported standards and a national brand for naturally grown produce.

Mission Goals and Environmental Impact

Goal	Details
Reducing Fertilizer Usage	The mission aims to reduce the dependence on chemical fertilizers by promoting natural farming practices in districts with high fertilizer consumption.
Soil and Water Health	Natural farming will help rejuvenate soil health, improve soil fertility, and enhance water-use efficiency. It will also build resilience to climate risks like floods, droughts, and waterlogging.
Health and Nutrition	Natural farming practices reduce the exposure of farmers and their families to harmful chemicals and pesticides, providing healthier food for consumption.
Biodiversity	Increased soil microorganisms and enhanced biodiversity in the farming ecosystem through natural practices.

Targeted Areas

1. The Ministry of Agriculture has identified 228 districts across 16 states where fertilizer consumption exceeds the national average of 138 kg per hectare (as of 2022-23).
2. These districts will be the primary focus of the NMNF.
3. The states include Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and West Bengal.

Why is the Mission Important?

Key Benefit	Details
Cost Reduction for Farmers	Natural farming reduces the input costs for farmers by reducing dependency on purchased fertilizers and pesticides.
Environmental Conservation	Encourages environmental conservation by promoting sustainable farming practices that are in harmony with nature.
Health Benefits	Natural farming practices reduce health risks from exposure to harmful chemicals used in conventional farming, ensuring safer food for consumers.
Future Sustainability	Helps ensure a sustainable future for farming by improving soil quality, increasing water use efficiency, and fostering biodiversity.

Conclusion

The National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) represents a significant push toward sustainable and chemical-free farming in India. By targeting over 1 crore farmers and covering 7.5 lakh hectares of land, the mission aims to shift Indian agriculture towards more eco-friendly and health-conscious practices. With a substantial budget, a comprehensive training program, and support infrastructure like bio-input resource centers, the NMNF seeks to make natural farming a mainstream practice across the country.

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