National Mission on Natural Farming: Towards a Sustainable and Chemical-Free Future for Indian Agriculture

Table of Contents

• What is Natural Farming?
• National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF)
• Key Objectives of NMNF
• Benefits of Natural Farming

• • Enriching or Nourishing Soil
  • Reduced Cost of Production
  • Environment Conservation
  • Production of Healthier Foods
  • Resilience to Climate Change
  • Better Livelihood Opportunities

• Features of NMNF
• Challenges and the Way Forward
• Conclusion

What is Natural Farming?

Natural farming involves an agricultural technique that is free from chemicals and agroecology and makes use of local resources and traditional knowledge, crop rotation and combining livestock. Some of the techniques includes natural inputs like Jeevamrit, Beejamrit, crop residues, biomass and mulching.

Natural farming involves creating a live soil ecosystem, conserving natural resources and encouraging biodiversity. As mentioned in your reference material, some of the practices like crop diversification and soil covering can be effective in reducing water losses.

It is important to note that natural farming is not all about being free from chemicals but creating an agro-ecological farming technique.

National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF)

The National Mission on Natural Farming has been approved by the Union Cabinet on 25 November 2024 as a separate Centrally Sponsored Scheme under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare.

It is designed with an overall expenditure of ₹2,481 crore, out of which ₹1,584 crore would be from the Government of India, which ₹897 crore would be from state side, till the 15^th Finance Commission period (2025-26).

The overarching vision of this scheme is to enable farmers to practise natural farming along with soil improvement, reduction in cost of cultivation, protection of biodiversity and production of safe food.

Key Objectives of NMNF

The objectives of that this mission aims to achieve are:

• Adoption of chemical-free organic farming practices in India.
• To promote nature based sustainable system, and dependence of farming on inputs from outsides sources.
• To establish scientific supported common standard and ensure the availability of healthy food products to the consumers.
• Another objective is to have sustainable agriculture practices and have improved soil health.
• To prioritize livestock (preferably local breed of cow) as it is the core engine for soil fertility, energy, and crop protection.
• To strengthen on-farm agro-ecological research and knowledge-based extension capabilities of ICAR institutions, KVKs, Agriculture University, etc.
• To build upon the on-field experience of practicing NF farmers and scientific expertise to thereby evolve & improvise location specific NF package of practices for increased spread of NF.

Benefits of Natural Farming

Enriching or Nourishing Soil

Natural farming practices promote biological activities in the soil, thus promoting micro-organisms and other living organisms. Healthy soils will help in sustaining agricultural production in the long run.

Reduced Cost of Production

Through promoting the use of locally available resources by farmers, natural farming practices will reduce the cost of production through reducing dependence on expensive externally sourced inputs.

Environment Conservation

Diverse crops, mulching, integration of livestock and the reduction in the use of chemicals can help in promoting bio-diversity, soil conservation and efficient use of water.

Production of Healthier Foods

Promotion of reduced dependency on artificial fertilizers and pesticides will help reduce the health risks related to the use of chemicals and produce healthier foods.

Resilience to Climate Change

Healthy soils, increased biodiversity and efficient use of water will increase the resilience of the farming system to any climate change.

Better Livelihood Opportunities

Natural farming practices will generate livelihoods from bio-inputs production, training, local markets, value addition and other rural enterprises.

Features of NMNF

• The scheme aims to create 15,000 natural farming clusters, each with about 125 farmers over 50 ha, identified by States/UTs.
• Farmers can join at each crop season's start. Support includes 10,000 Bio-input Resource Centres providing easy access to natural inputs, reducing chemical dependency and improving soil health.
• Krishi Sakhis/CRPs will guide farmers and raise awareness through local groups. Training will be conducted via KVKs, universities, and demonstration farms on NF practices like input preparation and pest management.
• Farmers can receive support for up to one acre to promote NF adoption. Central and State monitoring, including geo-tagging, ensures effective implementation.

Challenges and the Way Forward

Natural farming will involve the following: awareness of farming, training, handholding, availability of inputs and proper markets. The farmers might require help during the transition period while consumers need to be aware of naturally-farmed produces as well.

Some of the requirements are addressed by NMNF through the use of demonstration farms, Bio-Input Resource Centres, training, certification and common branding. The mission even envisions market linkages so that farmers can get better chances to market their natural farming produce.

Conclusion

The National Mission on Natural Farming is one way of taking India towards sustainable agriculture. The aspects of soil health, reduced input costs, biodiversity, adaptation to climate change and production of safe food link environmental sustainability to the economic well-being of the farmers.

Natural farming cannot simply be seen as a move back to the days of traditional agriculture. With the aid of science, institutions, technologies and proper markets, natural farming can form a component of India’s move towards sustainable agriculture.