National Mission on Natural Farming: Progress and Implications

Strategic Insights -

The National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) has made significant strides in promoting sustainable agriculture practices across India. Implemented in 15,000 natural farming clusters covering 7.5 lakh hectares of land, the mission aims to support farmers in adopting natural farming methods. With a focus on awareness generation, training, and on-field demonstrations, scientists, farmer master trainers, and community resource persons provide handholding support to farmers.

Key Takeaways:

  • The NMNF is implemented in 15,000 natural farming clusters, covering 7.5 lakh hectares of land across the country.
  • Each cluster consists of contiguous areas of approximately 50 hectares and involves approximately 125 farmers.
  • Scientists, Farmer Master Trainers (FMTs), and trained Community Resource Persons (CRPs) provide awareness generation, training, and on-field demonstrations to farmers.
  • Over 3,900 scientists, FMTs, and government officials have been trained on Natural Farming, and about 28,000 CRPs have been identified under the mission.
  • 806 training institutions, including KrishiVigyanKendras, Agricultural Universities, and Local Natural Farming Institutions, have been involved in the mission.
  • 1,100 Natural Farming Model Farms have been developed for the training of CRPs and farmers.
  • An output-based incentive of ₹40,000 per acre per year per farmer for 2 years is provisioned for farmers practicing natural farming.
  • Over 10 lakh farmers have been enrolled under the mission, and a simple certification system has been implemented to increase market access.
  • The Natural Farming Certification System is being implemented by the National Centre for Organic and Natural Farming (NCONF) under the Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) - India.
  • An online portal has been developed for real-time monitoring of the mission's progress.
  • Bio-input resource centers (BRCs) have been set up to provide natural farming bio-inputs to local farmers and disseminate knowledge and training.

Statistics:

  • 7.5 lakh hectares of land are being covered under the NMNF.
  • 3,900 scientists, FMTs, and government officials have been trained on Natural Farming.
  • 28,000 CRPs have been identified under the mission.
  • 806 training institutions are involved in the mission.
  • 1,100 Natural Farming Model Farms have been developed.
  • 10 lakh farmers have been enrolled under the mission.
  • 7934 BRCs have been identified, with 2045 BRCs set up.
  • ₹40,000 per acre per year per farmer is the output-based incentive provisioned for two years.

Sources:

  • The Government of India, Press Information Bureau (PIB) Delhi
  • Lok Sabha, Written Reply by Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Shri Ramnath Thakur