**Executive Summary:**
This document presents the Indian government's response to a parliamentary inquiry regarding natural farming, specifically in Andhra Pradesh and Tirupati. It details fund allocations for natural farming initiatives, addresses yield comparisons between natural and conventional farming, and outlines financial incentives available to farmers adopting natural farming practices under the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF). The response covers the financial years 2024-25 and 2025-26.
**Key Points / Main Content:**
* **Fund Allocation:**
* Andhra Pradesh received an allocation of Rs. 94.371 lakhs under NMNF for 2024-25, with Rs. 47.185 lakhs released.
* For 2025-26, the allocation is Rs. 12251.46 lakhs, with Rs. 5810.8875 lakhs released.
* District-wise fund allocation is not centrally maintained.
* **Yield Comparison:**
* ICAR-IIFSR studies indicate benefits of natural farming, including increased soil organic carbon and reduced input costs.
* ICAR-NAARM studies in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Maharashtra show improved farmer income through reduced cultivation costs and better product pricing.
* Studies commissioned by the Andhra Pradesh government suggest no yield penalty in natural farming, with reduced costs and higher net incomes compared to conventional farming.
* **Financial Incentives:**
* An output-based incentive of Rs. 4000 per acre per year is available for two years (up to 1 acre per farmer).
* The incentive supports training, livestock upkeep, preparation/purchase of natural farming inputs.
* The scheme is onboarded on the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) Portal.
**Impact Analysis:**
* **Farmers Adopting Natural Farming:**
* *Impact:* Access to financial incentives (Rs. 4000/acre/year for 2 years, up to 1 acre) to offset initial costs and support the transition to natural farming practices; Potential for increased income through reduced cultivation costs and better product prices, as indicated by studies.
* *Action Required:* Adopt natural farming practices, participate in training programs, potentially purchase livestock, prepare natural farming inputs, and register on the DBT Portal to receive incentive payments.
* **Government of Andhra Pradesh:**
* *Impact:* Responsible for promoting and implementing natural farming initiatives within the state, utilizing allocated funds from the NMNF; Expected to monitor and evaluate the impact of natural farming on crop yields, farmer incomes, and environmental sustainability.
* *Action Required:* Utilize allocated funds effectively to support natural farming practices, conduct studies to assess the impact of natural farming, and provide training and resources to farmers interested in adopting these practices.
Key Entities Referenced
Andhra Pradesh: A state in India, recipient of funds for promotion of natural farming.
Tirupati district: A district in Andhra Pradesh, specifically mentioned regarding natural farming promotion.
National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF): A government initiative under which funds were allocated to Andhra Pradesh for natural farming.
Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR): An organization that conducted a study on the benefits of Natural Farming.
Indian Institute of Farming Systems Research (IIFSR): A research institute under ICAR that participated in the study on Natural Farming.
ICAR-National Academy of Agricultural Research Management (ICARNAARM): An academy that conducted study in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharashtra and found Natural Farming helped in improving farmers income.
Karnataka: A state in India where ICAR-NAARM conducted a study on Natural Farming.
Maharashtra: A state in India where ICAR-NAARM conducted a study on Natural Farming.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3765
TO BE ANSWERED ON 12TH AUGUST, 2025
NATURAL FARMING IN TIRUPATI
3765. SHRI MADDILA GURUMOORTHY:
Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ(cid:874)ष और (cid:873)कसान क(cid:227)याण म(cid:287)ं ी
be pleased to state :
(a) the funds allocated and released to Andhra Pradesh and specifically to Tirupati district
for the promotion of natural farming during the last and current financial year;
(b) whether the Government is aware that the yield in natural farming is comparatively lower
than in conventional farming, especially during the transition period;
(c) if so, whether the Government is providing any financial incentives, subsidies, or income
support to farmers adopting natural farming practices to compensate for yield loss and
ensure income stability;
(d) if so, the details of such support provided; and
(e) if not, the reasons for not providing direct incentives despite actively promoting natural
farming across the country?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
कृ(cid:874)ष एवं (cid:873)कसान क(cid:227)याण रा(cid:207)य म(cid:287)ं ी (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR)
(a): Rs. 94.371 lakhs have been allocated under National Mission on Natural Farming
(NMNF) to Andhra Pradesh for 2024-25. Against the allocation, Rs. 47.185 lakhs have been
released. Allocation for 2025-26 the funds allocated is Rs. 12251.46 lakhs, out of which Rs.
5810.8875 lakhs have been released. District wise fund allocation is not maintained
centrally.
(b): As per the study conducted by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) -
Indian Institute of Farming Systems Research (IIFSR) at 20 locations across 16 States on
the fields of 484 farmers, there are several benefits of Natural Farming. Increase of up to
0.25% in soil organic carbon content and reduction of up to 29% in input costs of production
was observed under Natural Farming conditions. Further, study conducted by ICAR -
National Academy of Agricultural Research Management (ICAR-NAARM) in Andhra
Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharashtra shows that Natural Farming helped in improvingfarmers’ income by reducing cost of cultivation and attracting better product price. The
benefit cost (B:C) ratio improved by 15 to 270% across 3 States. Further, Independent
studies commissioned by Government of Andhra Pradesh have shown that there is no yield
penalty in natural farming besides reduction in cost of cultivation and resulting in higher net
incomes when compared to conventional farming.
(c) to (e): Under the Mission, there is provision for an output based incentive of ₹4000/-
per acre, per year to a farmer for 2 years (upto 1 acre per farmer). The incentive support is
for farmers to practice natural farming, undergo training, upkeep of livestock, preparation of
natural farming inputs including purchase of mixing & storage containers or purchase of
inputs from Bio-input Resource Centers etc. Further, the Scheme has been on boarded on
Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) Portal to provide the support to farmers adopting natural
farming practices.
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