Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare is implementing the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) across the country. The mission aims to promote natural farming through cluster-based approaches, training, and financial incentives. Bioinput Resource Centres (BRCs) play a crucial role in supporting farmers by providing bioinputs and knowledge dissemination.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) Implementation:**
* Implemented in 15,000 natural farming clusters, covering 7.5 Lakh Ha area nationwide.
* Each cluster consists of contiguous areas of about 50 Ha, involving approximately 125 farmers.
* Scientists, Farmer Master Trainers (FMTs), and Community Resource Persons (CRPs) provide awareness, training, and on-field support.
* Over 3900 Scientists, FMTs, and government officials have been trained; about 28,000 CRPs identified.
* 806 training institutions (Krishi Vigyan Kendras, Agricultural Universities, and Local Natural Farming Institutions) are involved.
* 1,100 Natural Farming Model Farms have been developed for training CRPs and farmers.
* An output-based incentive of ₹4000 per acre per year per farmer for 2 years (up to 1 acre) is provisioned for natural farming practices.
* More than 10 lakh farmers have been enrolled under the Mission.
* A simple certification system is in place, managed by National Centre for Organic Natural Farming (NCONF), Ghaziabad, under Participatory Guarantee System (PGS-India), to increase market access.
* An online portal (https:naturalfarming.dac.gov.in) monitors the progress of NMNF implementation.
* **Bioinput Resource Centres (BRCs):**
* BRCs are cluster-level enterprises providing ready-to-use natural farming bioinputs to local farmers.
* BRCs disseminate knowledge, training, and demonstrations on natural farming bioinputs.
* 7934 BRCs have been identified, with 2045 already set up.
* BRCs can be established by natural farming farmers, Primary Agriculture Credit Societies, Farmer Producer Organizations, Self Help Groups, or local rural entrepreneurs.
Impact Analysis:
Farmers:
* Impact: Access to training, on-field support, financial incentives, bioinputs, and certification systems for natural farming practices. Increased market access through certification.
* Action Required: Enroll in the NMNF, participate in training programs, adopt natural farming practices, utilize bioinputs from BRCs, and obtain certification through PGS-India.
Scientists, Farmer Master Trainers (FMTs), Community Resource Persons (CRPs), and Government Officials:
* Impact: Trained to support farmers in adopting natural farming practices.
* Action Required: Provide awareness, training, and on-field support to farmers implementing natural farming.
Training Institutions (Krishi Vigyan Kendras, Agricultural Universities, Local Natural Farming Institutions):
* Impact: Involved in training farmers and CRPs on natural farming.
* Action Required: Conduct training programs and develop Natural Farming Model Farms.
National Centre for Organic Natural Farming (NCONF), Ghaziabad:
* Impact: Responsible for implementing the Natural Farming Certification System under PGS-India.
* Action Required: Manage and oversee the certification process for natural farming.
Bioinput Resource Centres (BRCs):
* Impact: Provide bioinputs and knowledge to local farmers.
* Action Required: Establish and operate BRCs, disseminate knowledge, provide training and demonstration on natural farming bioinputs.
Key Entities Referenced
National Mission on Natural Farming: A government initiative to promote natural farming practices across the country.
SHRI RAO RAJENDRA SINGH: Member of LOK SABHA who raised a question about the implementation of the National Mission on Natural Farming.
SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR: The MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE who provided the answer to the question about the National Mission on Natural Farming.
Krishi Vigyan Kendras: Agricultural Science Centers involved in training and demonstration of natural farming practices.
Agricultural Universities: Educational institutions involved in training and demonstration of natural farming practices.
National Centre for Organic Natural Farming NCONF, Ghaziabad: Organization responsible for implementing the Natural Farming Certification System under Participatory Guarantee System PGS India.
Participatory Guarantee System PGS India: A certification system for natural farming practices implemented by the National Centre for Organic Natural Farming.
Bioinput Resource Centre BRC: A cluster level enterprise that provides ready to use Natural Farming bioinputs to local farmers.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS’ WELFARE
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS’ WELFARE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 393
TO BE ANSWERED ON 22ND July, 2025
IMPLEMENTATION OF NATIONAL MISSION ON NATURAL FARMING
393. SHRI RAO RAJENDRA SINGH:
Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ(cid:874)ष एवं (cid:873)कसान क(cid:227)याण मं(cid:287)ी
be pleased to state:
(a) the details of steps being taken by the Government to ensure the successful
implementation of the National Mission on Natural Farming;
(b) whether the Government has details about the Bio-input Resource Centres; and
(c) if so, the details on their role in supporting farmers under the National Mission on
Natural Farming?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
कृ(cid:874)ष एव ं (cid:873)कसान क(cid:227)याण रा(cid:207)य म(cid:287)ं ी (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR)
(a): The National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) is implemented in 15,000 natural
farming clusters covering 7.5 Lakh Ha area across the country. Each cluster is of
contiguous areas of about 50 Ha and with approximately 125 farmers.
Scientists, Farmer Master Trainers (FMTs) and trained Community Resource
Persons (CRPs) undertake awareness generation, training, on-field demonstration and
provide continuous handholding support to farmers. For this, more than 3900 Scientists,
FMTs & Government officials have been trained on Natural Farming and about 28,000
CRPs have been identified under the Mission. Also, 806 training institutions, i.e., Krishi
Vigyan Kendras, Agricultural Universities and Local Natural Farming Institutions have been
involved by States/UTs.
Till date 1,100 Natural Farming Model Farms have been developed in Krishi Vigyan
Kendras, Agricultural Universities and on fields of practicing natural farming farmers for
the training of Community Resource Persons and farmers.An output based incentive of ₹4000/- per acre per year per farmer for 2 years (up
to 1 acre per farmer) is provisioned in the scheme for farmers to practice natural farming,
training, upkeep of livestock, preparation of natural farming inputs etc. Till date, more than
10 lakh farmers have been enrolled under the Mission.
Further, farmers are being supported by a simple certification system for increased
market access. The Natural Farming Certification System is under implementation by
National Centre for Organic & Natural Farming (NCONF), Ghaziabad under Participatory
Guarantee System (PGS) - India.
An online portal (https://naturalfarming.dac.gov.in/) has been developed for real-
time monitoring of the progress of implementation of NMNF.
(b) & (c): A Bio-input Resource Centre (BRC) is a cluster level enterprise that provides
ready to use Natural Farming bio-inputs to local farmers who may not themselves be
making on-farm inputs. BRC will also disseminate knowledge, training and demonstration
on these natural farming bio Inputs to farmers. BRCs identified are 7934, of which 2045
BRCs have been set up. BRCs may be set up by practicing natural farming farmers,
Primary Agriculture Credit Society/ Farmer Producer Organizations, Self Help Groups,
local rural entrepreneurs etc.
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