Government Approves National Mission on Natural Farming to Benefit One Crore Farmers Across 7.5 Lakh Hectares

The government has unveiled a national initiative to encourage natural farming among one crore farmers across 7.5 lakh hectares. This mission, with a budget of Rs 2,481 crore over two years, was approved in a Cabinet meeting led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The plan involves establishing 15,000 clusters in cooperative panchayats to promote chemical-free agriculture and enhance soil quality.

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Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnav described the National Mission on Natural Farming as a significant step forward. He stated that this central scheme aims to reach one crore farmers nationwide by 2025-26. The minister highlighted the success of previous natural farming experiments conducted between 2019-20 and 2022-23, which have paved the way for this mission.

Natural Farming Clusters and Bio-Input Centres

The mission will focus on forming 15,000 natural farming clusters in willing panchayats. Additionally, the government plans to establish 10,000 bio-input resource centres. These centres will provide necessary inputs for natural farming, supported by Rs 1 lakh as seed capital assistance. This initiative is expected to boost the availability of natural farming resources.

Currently, approximately 10 lakh hectares are under natural farming across India. The mission aims to expand this area significantly. To achieve this, around 18.75 lakh farmers will receive training and support in batches of 30 at agricultural universities, Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), and local natural farming institutions.

Training and Support for Farmers

To facilitate awareness and mobilisation, 30,000 Krishi Sakhis or community resource persons will be deployed at the block level. They will assist farmers in adopting natural farming practices within the clusters. This support system is crucial for ensuring the successful implementation of the mission.

An online digital platform will be developed to monitor progress. This platform will include a geo-tagged database of practising farmers, farms, soil health data, input costs, and more. It aims to provide comprehensive tracking and evaluation of the mission's impact.

Promoting Sustainable Farming Practices

The mission's primary goal is to promote sustainable farming systems based on natural principles. It seeks to reduce reliance on external inputs while improving soil health and lowering input costs for farmers. Integrated agriculture-animal husbandry models will be popularised as part of this initiative.

The mission also aims to establish scientifically supported standards and farmer-friendly certification procedures for naturally grown produce. A single national brand for chemical-free products will be created and promoted to enhance market visibility and consumer trust.

Efforts will be made to strengthen on-farm agro-ecological research and the knowledge-based extension capacity of agricultural institutions like ICAR, KVKs, and agricultural universities. This focus on research and education is essential for advancing sustainable farming practices in India.

This comprehensive approach reflects the government's commitment to fostering a sustainable agricultural ecosystem that benefits both farmers and consumers by providing healthier food options while preserving soil health.