**Executive Summary**
The document pertains to Unstarred Question No. 2665 in Lok Sabha regarding the Natural Farming Mission (NMNF). The Mission was approved on 25.11.2024 to promote Natural Farming across the country with an overall financial outlay of ₹2481 crore until March, 2026. The document also details the objectives of the Mission.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF):**
* Approved by the Union Cabinet on 25.11.2024.
* Aims to promote Natural Farming (NF) across the country.
* Financial outlay: ₹2481 crore, with ₹1584 crore as the central share and ₹897 crore as the States' share.
* Budget allocated till March, 2026 (15th Finance Commission period).
* **Objectives of the Mission (as per Operational Guidelines):**
* Promote nature-based sustainable farming systems using on-farm bio-inputs to reduce dependency on external inputs and reduce costs, while improving soil health and sustainable agriculture.
* Popularize livestock (preferably local breeds of cows) integrated into agriculture-animal husbandry models.
* Strengthen on-farm agroecological research and knowledge-based extension capacities of ICAR institutions, KVKs, and Agricultural Universities.
* Build on practical experience of NF farmers and scientific expertise to improve location-specific NF practices for wider adoption.
* Establish scientifically supported common standards and farmer-friendly certification procedures for chemical-free produce.
* Create and promote a single national brand for naturally grown chemical-free produce.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Farmers**
*Impact:* Will have access to resources and support to adopt natural farming practices, potentially reducing input costs and increasing sustainability. They will benefit from a national brand that promotes chemical-free produce.
*Action Required:* To participate in the NMNF by adopting natural farming practices and seeking certification for their produce.
**Stakeholder: ICAR institutions, KVKs, and Agricultural Universities**
*Impact:* Enhanced role in agroecological research and knowledge dissemination to support natural farming.
*Action Required:* To strengthen their research and extension activities related to natural farming.
**Stakeholder: Consumers**
*Impact:* Access to certified naturally grown chemical-free produce through a national brand.
*Action Required:* No immediate action required. Awareness of the program and its potential benefits.
Key Entities Referenced
Natural Farming Mission: A government funded project to promote natural farming across the country.
National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF): A mission approved by the Union Cabinet to promote Natural Farming (NF) across the country.
Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare: The ministry responsible for administering the Natural Farming Mission.
Operational Guidelines of NMNF: Document outlining the objectives of the National Mission on Natural Farming
O.I.H
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS’ WELFARE
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS’ WELFARE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2665
TO BE ANSWERED ON 16TH DECEMBER, 2025
NATURAL FARMING MISSION
2665. DR. RAJEEV BHARADWAJ:
Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ(cid:874)ष एवं (cid:873)कसान क(cid:227)याण
म(cid:287)ं ी be pleased to state :
(a) whether the “Natural Farming Mission” is a Government funded project;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the main objectives of the Natural Farming Mission?
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) & (b): The National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) was approved by the
Union Cabinet on 25.11.2024 to promote Natural Farming (NF) across the country. The
overall financial outlay is ₹2481 crore (Central share is ₹1584 crore and States’ share is
₹897 crore) till 15th Finance Commission period (March, 2026).
(c): As per the Operational Guidelines of NMNF, objectives of the Mission are: -
(i). To promote nature based sustainable systems of farming, enhancing usage of on-
farm made natural farming bio-inputs to reduce dependency on externally
purchased inputs and input cost reduction. To also improve soil health and have
sustainable agriculture practices.
(ii). To popularize livestock (preferably local breed of cow) integrated agriculture-
animal husbandry models.
(iii). To strengthen on-farm agroecological research and knowledge based extension
capacities of ICAR institutions, KVKs, Agricultural Universities, etc.
(iv). To build upon the on-field experience of practicing NF farmers and scientific
expertise to thereby evolve & improvise location specific NF package of practices
for increased spread of NF.
(v). To establish scientifically supported common standards and easy farmer friendly
certification procedures for naturally grown chemical-free produce.
(vi). To create and promote a single national brand for naturally grown chemical-free
produce.
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