On November 25, 2023, the Union Cabinet approved the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) as a standalone Centrally Sponsored Scheme under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare. This mission aims to promote natural farming across the country.

What is Natural Farming?

• Natural farming is an agricultural practice that avoids the use of synthetic chemicals such as pesticides and fertilizers. 
• It relies on natural inputs derived from livestock and plant resources, focusing on maintaining soil health and biodiversity. 
• The goal is to create a self-sustaining farming system that is environmentally friendly and economically viable.

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Need of NMNF

• Reduces Dependency on inputs: Minimizes harm to the environment and human health.
  • India is one of the world’s top consumers of fertilizers.
  • In 2021, India consumed 29.8 million metric tons of fertilizer nutrients, second only to China’s 42 million metric tons.
• Soil Health Restoration: Overuse of chemicals depletes soil fertility and damages microbial life. Natural farming practices restore soil health, increase organic matter, and improve water retention.
• Climate Resilience: Natural farming improves the resilience of crops to climate-related challenges like drought, floods, and waterlogging by fostering biodiversity and enhancing soil structure.
• Healthier Food: By avoiding chemicals, natural farming produces food that is free from harmful residues, leading to better health outcomes for consumers.
• Better Cropping Patterns: Natural farming promotes diverse cropping systems that reduce monoculture dependency, improve biodiversity, and prevent soil degradation.
• Better Market Value: Products grown through natural farming often receive premium prices due to increasing consumer demand for chemical-free, organic produce, improving farmers’ market value.

Evolution of the Initiative

• Previous Initiatives:
  • The NMNF is an extension of the Bhartiya Prakritik Krishi Paddhti (BPKP) launched by the NDA government in 2019-24.
  • Natural farming was also promoted in the 5-kilometre belt along the Ganga River as part of the Namami Gange scheme in FY 2022-23.
• 2023 Budget:
  • The Finance Minister, in her Budget speech (July 2023), announced that 1 crore farmers would be initiated into natural farming supported by certification and branding in the next two years.
  • Implementation will be through scientific institutions and willing gram panchayats. 
• Current Status of Natural Farming:
  • 22 lakh hectares have been brought under natural farming, with 34 lakh farmers involved.
  • This includes 4 lakh hectares under BPKP, 88,000 hectares under Namami Gange, and 17 lakh hectares under state government schemes.

Key Objectives of NMNF

• Target Area: The mission aims to cover an additional 7.5 lakh hectares of land.
• Farmer Engagement: 15,000 clusters in Gram Panchayats will be developed, engaging 1 crore farmers.
• Bio-input Resource Centres: 10,000 centres will be set up to provide farmers with easy access to natural farming inputs.

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Distinguishing Features of NMNF

• Higher Budget Allocation:
  • Total outlay: Rs. 2,481 crore (Central share: Rs. 1,584 crore, State share: Rs. 897 crore).
• Scope of the Mission:
  • A high target of 1 crore farmers.
  • 2,000 model demonstration farms will be established at Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) and Agricultural Universities (AUs).
  • An ecosystem for sustainable natural farming will be created.
  • Scientifically supported common standards and farmer-friendly procedures will be established.
  • 18.75 lakh farmers will be trained in natural farming practices and input preparation.
  • 30,000 Krishi Sakhis will be deployed for awareness generation and training.

Focus Regions

• High Fertilizer Usage Districts: 228 districts across 16 states with high fertilizer usage will be prioritized, including areas like Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Maharashtra, and West Bengal.
• Namami Gange Region: The mission will also focus on the Ganga River belt, promoting natural farming along its stretch.

Challenges in Implementing Natural Farming

• Uncertain Economic Benefits: The implementation of natural farming in regions like Sikkim has faced challenges, with farmers reporting a decline in yields. 
  • Despite its benefits in maintaining soil fertility, the practice has not consistently boosted productivity, leading some farmers to revert to conventional farming methods
• Difficulties in Preparing Inputs: Preparing bio-inputs such as Jeevamrit and Beejamrit requires significant time, effort, and resources, which many farmers find challenging. 
  • A lack of readily available natural inputs forces farmers to rely on external suppliers, raising costs.
• Nutrient Deficiencies: Studies suggest that natural inputs may not provide as many nutrients as chemical fertilizers, particularly in high-input farming systems. 
• Farmer Resistance to Change: Shifting from chemical-based farming to Natural Farming requires a significant change in mindset and practices, which many farmers are reluctant to adopt. 
• Infrastructure Challenges: The limited availability of bio-input resource centers makes it difficult for farmers to access essential inputs.
  • Additionally, certification and branding mechanisms for natural farming produce are underdeveloped, restricting market access and profitability.

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Conclusion

The National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) marks a crucial step towards promoting sustainable, chemical-free farming in India. To succeed, it is essential to focus on improving training, infrastructure, and farmer support, incentivizing adoption, and advancing research and certification systems for better market access and profitability.

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