Answer

The National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF), Union Cabinet approved in November 2023, aims to transform agriculture in India by promoting sustainable farming practices that minimize the use of synthetic chemicals like fertilizers and pesticides. It seeks to create an environment-friendly and economically viable alternative to conventional farming, addressing the growing concerns over soil health and over-reliance on chemical inputs.

Enroll now for UPSC Online Course

Role of NMNF in Promoting Sustainable Agriculture

• Encouraging Chemical-Free Farming: The NMNF promotes natural farming methods that reduce the use of synthetic chemicals, encouraging farmers to adopt eco-friendly alternatives for pest control and soil fertility.
  For instance: The mission supports the use of cow dung-based fertilizers and bio-pesticides like neem and garlic, which help maintain soil health.
• Soil Health and Biodiversity Conservation: One of the core goals of NMNF is to enhance soil fertility and preserve biodiversity by reducing chemical inputs that degrade the soil ecosystem.
  For example: Vermicomposting and the use of biofertilizers help replenish soil nutrients naturally, improving long-term agricultural productivity.
• Economic Viability for Farmers: By promoting natural farming practices, NMNF offers cost-effective alternatives to expensive chemical inputs, thereby improving the financial sustainability of farmers.
  For instance: Natural farming techniques like multi-cropping and crop rotation reduce the dependence on expensive chemical fertilizers, lowering input costs.
• Reduction of Water and Soil Pollution: The mission aims to reduce the environmental impact of chemical farming by decreasing the use of harmful fertilizers and pesticides, which contribute to water and soil pollution.
  For instance: The use of natural farming techniques helps prevent eutrophication of water bodies caused by excess nutrient run-off from chemical fertilizers.
• Promoting Climate Resilience: NMNF supports farming practices that enhance resilience to climate change by improving the soil’s ability to retain moisture and supporting biodiversity.
  For example: The practice of using organic mulching helps retain soil moisture and reduces the effects of droughts, improving farm resilience.
• Capacity Building and Farmer Training: To ensure the success of natural farming, the NMNF emphasizes the importance of training farmers in new practices, technologies, and methods.
  For example: The government has partnered with Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) to provide training programs on natural farming techniques, targeting sustainable agriculture in rural areas.
• Enhancing Market Access for Organic Products: NMNF also facilitates market access for farmers practicing natural farming by promoting organic certification and linking farmers to organic markets.
  For example: Initiatives like eNAM (National Agriculture Market) help organic farmers sell their produce in regulated markets, ensuring fair prices.

Addressing Challenges of Excessive Fertiliser Use

• Reducing Fertilizer Dependency: The NMNF aims to reduce India’s excessive reliance on chemical fertilizers by promoting natural alternatives that restore soil health and reduce input costs.
  For example: The promotion of bio-fertilizers like Azotobacter and Rhizobium offers nitrogen fixation without harmful chemicals, reducing fertilizer dependence.
• Reducing Soil Degradation: Excessive use of synthetic fertilizers has led to soil degradation and decreased soil fertility. NMNF encourages sustainable farming methods that regenerate the soil ecosystem.
  For example: The practice of green manuring, using plants like legumes to naturally restore soil nutrients, enhances soil quality and reduces the need for chemical fertilizers.
• Promoting Integrated Nutrient Management: NMNF emphasizes Integrated Nutrient Management (INM), a holistic approach to balance the use of natural fertilizers and organic inputs, ensuring healthy crop growth.
  For example: The integration of composting, vermicomposting, and organic manure helps provide nutrients in a balanced manner, reducing the need for chemical fertilizers.
• Incentivizing Organic Inputs: The government provides financial incentives to farmers to adopt organic inputs such as bio-pesticides and cow dung-based fertilizers, which replace harmful chemical fertilizers.
• Promotion of Crop Diversification: Encouraging crop diversification through NMNF helps reduce the excessive use of fertilizers for single-crop farming, promoting a more balanced ecosystem.
  For example: The introduction of multicropping systems reduces the overuse of fertilizers on monocrops, thereby ensuring soil fertility is maintained without chemical dependence.
• Support for Eco-Friendly Pest Management: NMNF advocates for natural pest control methods such as biological pest management, reducing the need for synthetic chemical pesticides.
  For example: The use of Trichoderma and Pseudomonas as bio-control agents reduces pesticide use, supporting sustainable farming and improving soil quality.

Check Out UPSC CSE Books From PW Store

The National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) aims to revolutionize India’s agriculture sector by encouraging sustainable practices, reducing dependency on harmful chemicals, and improving soil health. By focusing on natural farming, India can enhance environmental resilience, support climate goals, and improve farmers’ livelihoods, contributing to the country’s sustainable agricultural future.

DOWNLOAD PDF