All about the central government scheme to promote natural farming

  • November 27, 2024
  • Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
  • Category: DPN Topics
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All about the central government scheme to promote natural farming

Sub: Schemes

Sec: Env

National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF):

Launch and Objective

  • Approval Date: November 25, 2024, by the Union Cabinet.
  • Under: Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare.
  • Purpose: Promote natural farming nationwide in mission mode as a standalone Centrally Sponsored Scheme.

What is Natural Farming?

  • A “chemical-free” farming system relying only on livestock and plant-based inputs.
  • Implementation Focus: Initially targeted at districts with high fertiliser consumption.
  • Area Covered under Natural farming: 22 lakh hectares.
    • Area under Bhartiya Prakritik Krishi Paddhti (BPKP): 4 lakh hectares.
    • Area under Namami Gange: 88,000 hectares.
    • State Initiatives: 17 lakh hectares.
  • Farmers Involved: 34 lakh farmers.
  • Benefits of Natural farming:
    • Help farmers to reduce the input cost of cultivation and dependency on externally purchased inputs while rejuvenating soil health, fertility & quality and building resilience to climate risks like waterlogging, flood, drought, etc.
    • Reduce health risks from exposure to fertilisers, pesticides, etc
    • Provide healthy & nutritious food for the farmers’ family
    • Through the improvement of soil carbon content & water use efficiency, there is an increase in soil microorganisms and biodiversity in NF.

Background and Evolution:

  • Predecessor Initiative: Bhartiya Prakritik Krishi Paddhti (BPKP) under Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojna (PKVY).
  • Key Developments:
    • Promoted in a 5-km belt along the Ganga under the Namami Gange scheme (FY 2022-23).
    • Upgraded to NMNF to scale the initiative and enhance mission-mode efforts.
  • Budget Announcement (2023):
    • Target to initiate 1 crore farmers into natural farming within two years.
    • Establishment of 10,000 Bio-input Resource Centres (BRCs).

Future Goals under NMNF:

  • Expansion Plan:
    • Add 7.5 lakh hectares under natural farming.
    • Implement in 15,000 Gram Panchayat clusters over the next two years.
  • Farmer Training:
    • 18.75 lakh farmers trained in natural farming practices.
    • 30,000 Krishi Sakhis/CRPs for awareness and support.
  • Infrastructure:
    • 10,000 need-based BRCs for ready-to-use inputs.
    • Establish 2,000 model demonstration farms (at KVKs, universities, and farmer fields).

Unique Features of NMNF:

  • Higher Budget Outlay: ₹2,481 crore (₹1,584 crore by Centre; ₹897 crore by states).
  • Certification and Branding:
    • Develop scientifically supported standards for chemical-free produce.
    • Establish a single national brand.
  • Focus Areas:
    • Sustainable ecosystem for natural farming.
    • Districts with high fertiliser usage and Namami Gange areas.

Why Promote Natural Farming?

  • Issues Addressed:
    • The input (fertiliser) sales are above the all-India average (138 kg/hectare) during 2022-23 in 228 identified districts (16 states) — Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and West Bengal.
    • High chemical fertiliser sales (>200 kg/hectare).
  • Benefits:
    • Reduced input costs for farmers.
    • Improved soil health, fertility, and resilience to climate risks (e.g., drought, flooding).

Source: IE

All about the central government scheme to promote natural farming Schemes