National Mission On Natural Farming

Quick Facts

• Purpose: To strengthen agriculture practices with scientifically backed approaches towards sustainability, climate resilience and safe food
• Type: Centrally Sponsored Scheme
• Coverage: selected 15,000 Clusters across the identified districts from the priority areas reaching 7.5 Lakh Ha area
• Knowledge Partner: National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE)

Objective

• To promote nature based sustainable systems of farming, enhancing usage of on-farm made natural farming bio-inputs
• To popularize livestock (preferably local breed of cow) integrated agriculture-animal husbandry models.
• To strengthen on-farm agroecological research and knowledge based extension capacities of ICAR institutions, KVKs, etc.
• To create and promote a single national brand for naturally grown chemical-free produce.

Salient Features 

Implementation Approach  Farmer-to-Farmer Model: Peer-led transition to natural farming.  Agri-Infrastructure: Includes Bio-Input Resource Centers (BRCs), seed banks, small farm tools, and local markets. Market Systems: Farmers' markets and food processing for value addition.  Training & Research  Training Ecosystem: On-field training by KVKs, agricultural universities, and local NF institutions on NF practices like Beejamrut, Jeevamrut, and Neemastra.  Research Support: ICAR, KVKs, and universities to document and study NF methods.  Educational Curriculum: Dedicated certificate, diploma, UG, and PG courses on NF. Scaling Up Through Community Involvement  30,000 Krishi Sakhis (Community Resource Persons - CRPs): Women-led CBOs like SHGs, FPOs, and PACS to drive NF adoption.  NF Clusters: Each cluster starts with 125 willing farmers, who then train six more each, expanding to ~750 farmers per cluster.  Participatory Certification: Similar to PGS (Participatory Guarantee System) for transitioning farmers. Bio-Input Resource Centers (BRCs): 10,000 BRCs to supply NF inputs, run by farmers, FPOs, SHGs, KVKs, and Goshalas at the Gram Panchayat level. Output based incentive : ₹4000/- per acre per year for 2 years (maximum incentive for up to 1 acre per farmer) will be released in installments to the aadhar authenticated bank accounts of trained willing farmers  Institutional Convergence: Collaboration with NRLM, SRLM, FPOs, PACS, government bodies, CSR, and international institutions for largescale NF adoption.