Govt. Launches ₹2,481 Crore National Mission to Boost Natural Farming

The Union Cabinet approved a ₹2,481 cr mission to promote chemical-free farming, benefiting 10 million farmers by 2025-26.

New Delhi, November 25, 2024: The Union Cabinet announced the National Mission on Natural Farming, a significant effort to promote green and chemical-free farming methods throughout India. By 2025–2026, the program, which would cost ₹2,481 cr, promises to benefit 10 million farmers while encouraging natural farming on 7.5 lakh hectares of land.

Under the Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare Ministry, this will operate as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, with ₹1,584 cr from the central government and ₹897 cr as the state share. It will benefit farmers quite considerably by reducing input costs, better soil health, and access to healthier and sustainable farming methods.

Objectives and Key Advantages of the Mission

Rooted in traditional farming techniques, Natural Farming (NF) advocates chemical-free methods that are accordingly adapted to local agroecological conditions. The main objectives of this program are:

• Provide safe and nutrient-rich food for everyone.
• The dependence on fertilizers and pesticides should be reduced so that costs are minimized.
• Reviving soil health, increasing biodiversity, and fertility improvement.
• Building resilience to climate risks, such as droughts and floods.
• Minimise health risks associated with chemical exposure.

The mission also emphasizes the production of sustainable food while ensuring environmental conservation for the benefit of the farmer.

Comprehensive Implementation Plan For the Mission

The NMNF is going to take many steps in the next 2 years:

Farmer Engagement and Land Coverage:

• Targeting 10 million farmers.
• Implementing natural farming across 7.5 lakh hectares.

Cluster-Based Approach:

• Forming 15,000 clusters in willing Gram Panchayats.
• Prioritizing areas with a natural farming history.

Bio-input Resource Centres (BRCs):

• Establishing 10,000 BRCs to provide ready-to-use NF inputs.

NF Model Demonstration Farms:

• Set up 2,000 model farms in Krishi Vigyan Kendras, Agricultural Universities, and farmers’ fields.

Hands-on Training and Awareness:

• Training 1.88 million farmers through Farmer Master Trainers.
• Mobilizing 30,000 Krishi Sakhis and Community Resource Persons (CRPs).

Farmers will learn to prepare inputs like Jeevamrit and Beejamrit using local livestock resources, ensuring cost-effective farming methods.

Market Linkages and Branding

The NMNF aims to boost the marketability of produce from natural farming. Farmers will benefit from simplified certification processes, common branding, and market linkages through APMC Mandis, local haats, and farmer markets.

An online portal will enable real-time monitoring of progress through geo-tagged data. This will ensure transparency and accountability in implementing the mission.

Collaboration and Future Outlook

The mission plans to collaborate with existing government schemes and international organisations to expand natural farming practices. Key initiatives include:

• Enhancing local livestock populations to support NF practices.
• Establishing NF demonstration farms at Central Cattle Breeding Farms and Regional Fodder Stations.
• Strengthening market linkages to ensure better farmer incomes.

Students will also play a role in the mission through specialised courses on natural farming and Rural Agricultural Work Experience (RAWE) programmes.

Transforming Indian Agriculture

The mission represents a major step toward sustainable and eco-friendly farming. By combining traditional knowledge with modern tools, the mission will lower input costs for farmers, make soil healthier, and give safe, healthy food for the country while helping to reduce the risks of climate change.

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