Government greenlights ₹2,481 crore National Mission on Natural Farming

The Union Cabinet launched the ₹2,481 crore NMNF scheme to promote Natural Farming among one crore farmers. Training has begun, with 70,021 Krishi Sakhis trained, and ₹177.78 lakh disbursed.

The Union Cabinet approved the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF), launched on November 25, 2024 as a centrally sponsored scheme, aimed at encouraging one crore farmers to adopt Natural Farming (NF) across the country until the end of the 15th Finance Commission period. The scheme has a total budget of ₹2,481 crore, with a Centre-State funding ratio of 90:10 for Hilly and North Eastern States and 60:40 for all other States.

The Scheme guidelines were issued on December 26, 2024, and the Annual Action Plan (AAP) of 33 States/Union Territories (UTs) has been approved. Since its launch, ₹177.78 lakh has been disbursed to various States/UTs in the financial year 2024-25 as per the approved AAPs.

As part of the NMNF scheme, training programs at the Centre of Natural Farming (CoNF) have commenced across States and UTs. Additionally, 70,021 Krishi Sakhis have been trained in Soil Health and Natural Farming. Various other activities envisioned under NMNF, including farmer enrolment and the development of NF Model Demonstration Farms, are currently at different stages of implementation across the country.

Mr Ramnath Thakur, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, provided this information in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha.

Natural Farming (NF) is a chemical-free farming method that integrates livestock (preferably local cow breeds) with diverse crop systems, rooted in traditional Indian knowledge. It aims to improve soil health, restore ecosystems, and reduce farming costs while enhancing climate resilience. NF includes practices like multi-cropping, biomass mulching, traditional seed varieties, and on-farm inputs like Beejamrut and Jeevamrut. It improves soil structure, moisture retention, and biodiversity while promoting local agro-ecological principles and innovations like multi-species green manure and compost.