**Executive Summary**
This document presents the answer to Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 136, due on December 9th, 2025, regarding the impact assessment of natural and organic farming in India. It details the Government's assessment of the impact of natural and organic farming on soil health, the states where such models are being implemented, and the schemes being implemented to promote natural and organic farming, particularly in Rajasthan. The answer is presented as a statement laid on the Table of the House.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Impact of Natural Farming on Soil Health:**
* The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is conducting research on natural farming via the All India Network Programme, involving 20 cooperating centers across 16 states.
* Research indicates improvements in soil health indicators, including increased soil organic carbon (SOC) levels in natural farming plots compared to chemical-fed soils.
* Natural farming promotes richer microbial communities and balanced microbial evenness, indicating a healthier soil ecosystem.
* Organic farming packages are suitable for 80 cropping systems in 16 states, with significant enhancement of soil health and consistently higher SOC levels.
* **Implementation of Natural and Organic Farming:**
* The National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) is being implemented across the country, including Rajasthan, targeting 7.5 Lakh Ha area for natural farming.
* NMNF provides an output-based incentive of ₹4000/- per acre per year per farmer for 2 years.
* In Rajasthan, 1,800 clusters have been formed covering 90,000 hectares, with 1.89 lakh farmers enrolled and 164 Bio-input Resource Centres (BRC) set up.
* The Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) provides assistance of Rs. 31,500 per ha in 3 years for promotion of organic farming, with Rs. 15,000 for on-farm/off-farm organic inputs via Direct Benefit Transfer.
* PKVY is implemented in Rajasthan in 10,057 clusters covering 2.01 lakh hectares area benefitting 2.86 lakh farmers.
**Impact Analysis**
**Farmers:**
*Impact:* Farmers are being incentivized and supported to adopt natural and organic farming practices through the NMNF and PKVY schemes. They can benefit from improved soil health, potentially increased yields, and financial assistance.
*Action Required:* Farmers should explore opportunities to participate in the NMNF and PKVY schemes, adopt natural farming practices, and utilize Bio-input Resource Centres for easy availability of natural farming bio-inputs.
**State Governments (Especially Rajasthan):**
*Impact:* State governments are responsible for implementing the NMNF and PKVY schemes. They will have to ensure the effective execution of the programs and provide support to farmers transitioning to natural and organic farming.
*Action Required:* State Governments should focus on expanding the NMNF scheme, supporting BRCs and strengthening extension services to promote natural and organic farming.
**ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research):**
*Impact:* ICAR is responsible for conducting research and developing packages of practices for natural farming. Their findings inform policy decisions and provide guidance to farmers on best practices.
*Action Required:* ICAR should continue to conduct research, disseminate findings, and provide technical support for the promotion of natural and organic farming.
Key Entities Referenced
National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF): A scheme implemented across the country, including Rajasthan, targeting the initiation of Natural Farming.
Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY): A scheme that provides assistance for promotion of organic farming, implemented in Rajasthan.
Rajasthan: A state where specific schemes are being implemented to promote natural and organic farming.
Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare: The ministry responsible for addressing the starred question regarding natural and organic farming.
Indian Council of Agricultural Research: An organization conducting research on natural farming through the All India Network Programme on Natural Farming.
O.I.H.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS’ WELFARE
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS’ WELFARE
LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. 136
TO BE ANSWERED ON 09TH DECEMBER, 2025
IMPACT ASSESSMENT OF NATURAL AND ORGANIC FARMING
*136. SHRI CHANDRA PRAKASH JOSHI:
Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ िष एवं िकसान क(cid:670)ाण मं(cid:361)ी
be pleased to state :
(a) whether the Government has carried out the assessment for the impact of natural and
organic farming on soil health;
(b) the States where such models are being implemented on a large scale; and
(c) the schemes being implemented to promote natural and organic farming in Rajasthan?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
कृ िष एवं िकसान क(cid:670)ाण मं(cid:361)ी (SHRI SHIVRAJ SINGH CHOUHAN)
(a) to (c): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.STATEMENT IN RESPECT OF PARTS (a) TO (c) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED
QUESTION NO. 136 DUE FOR ANSWER ON 09TH DECEMBER, 2025 REGARDING
“IMPACT ASSESSMENT OF NATURAL AND ORGANIC FARMING”
(a): Indian Council of Agricultural Research through All India Network Programme on
Natural Farming is carrying out research programme with 20 cooperating centres covering
16 States to develop package of practices for Natural farming. The programme involves 11
State Agricultural Universities, 8 ICAR institutes/centres and 1 deemed to be university. The
research outcome shows measurable improvements in soil health indicators. Over 2–3 years,
natural farming plots showed rising soil organic carbon (SOC) levels – for example, SOC
increased from ~0.90% to 1.15% in Himalayan trials. Natural farming soils had significantly
higher microbial counts and diversity indices than chemical-fed soils. Richer microbial
communities (e.g. more beneficial bacteria, fungi, and actinomycetes) and more balanced
microbial evenness under natural farming was observed, indicating a healthier soil
ecosystem developing over time. This boost in soil biota and organic matter under natural
farming improves nutrient cycling and soil structure, laying the foundation for sustained
fertility and yield stability. The research outcome also shows that Organic farming packages
for 80 cropping systems is suitable for 16 States, along with varieties suitable for organic
farming in major crops. Organic farming significantly enhanced soil health, with SOC levels
consistently higher than both inorganic and transitional (“towards organic”) systems across
all crop categories.
(b) & (c): The National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) is being implemented across
the country including Rajasthan. The NMNF targets to initiate Natural Farming in 7.5 Lakh
Ha area. An output based incentive of ₹4000/- per acre per year per farmer for 2 years is
provided in NMNF to encourage farmers to practice natural farming, train more farmers,
upkeep of livestock, preparation of natural farming inputs including purchase of mixing &
storage containers, etc. Under the mission, 1,800 clusters have been formed covering 90,000
hectares area in the State of Rajasthan to promote natural farming. Till date 1.89 lakh farmers
have been enrolled and 164 Bio-input Resource Centre (BRC) have been set up to provide
easy availability of natural farming bio-inputs such as Jeevamrit, Beejamrit etc. in the State.
Under the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY), assistance of Rs. 31,500 per
ha in 3 years is provided for promotion of organic farming. Out of this, assistance of Rs.
15,000 per ha is provided to farmers through Direct Benefit Transfer for on- farm /off –farm
organic inputs. This Scheme is also implemented in Rajasthan in 10,057 clusters covering
2.01 lakh hectares area benefitting 2.86 lakh farmers.
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