New Delhi: India is embarking on an ambitious journey towards sustainable agriculture with the launch of the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF). Approved by the Union Cabinet with a substantial budget of Rs 2,481 crore, this initiative aims to transform agricultural practices across the nation by promoting chemical-free farming methods.
The mission’s primary goal is to empower one crore (10 million) farmers over the next two years, fostering a shift towards traditional, eco-friendly techniques.
The NMNF, a centrally sponsored scheme, will receive Rs 1,584 crore from the central government and Rs 897 crore from state governments until 2025-26. Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw hailed it as a “path-breaking decision,” emphasising the government’s commitment to improving farmers’ livelihoods and promoting sustainable practices.
The mission’s strategy is built on a multi-pronged approach integrating previous natural farming initiatives. It aims to establish approximately 15,000 clusters in Gram Panchayats, impacting 10 million farmers and covering 7.5 lakh hectares of land. This builds upon earlier successes such as the Bhartiya Prakratik Krishi Paddhati (2019-20) and the establishment of a natural farming corridor along the Ganges (2022-23). The NMNF will consolidate these efforts, providing a unified and streamlined approach.
Central to the NMNF’s success will be a robust training program. Approximately 2,000 Model Demonstration Farms at agricultural institutions will serve as practical training hubs, complemented by a network of Farmer Master Trainers. These trainers will equip farmers with the skills to prepare their own natural inputs using locally available resources, reducing reliance on expensive chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Furthermore, the establishment of 10,000 bio-input resource centers will ensure ready access to essential natural farming inputs.
