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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS’ WELFARE
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS’ WELFARE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2983
TO BE ANSWERED ON 10th MARCH, 2026
Organic Farming in Tribal Regions
2983. Shri Bhaskar Murlidhar Bhagare:
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 is implementing the National Mission on Natural
Farming to promote natural and organic farming practices across the country, including
in the tribal-dominated regions of Maharashtra;
(b) if so, the details of its implementation in Scheduled Area and tribal districts of
Maharashtra, including Gadchiroli, Nandurbar, Palghar, Thane and parts of Nashik,
covering area brought under natural farming and key activities undertaken during last
three years;
(c) the number of tribal farmers enrolled under the Mission and the extent of financial,
input-based and technical support provided to them, district-wise;
(d) whether specific targets have been fixed for expanding natural farming among
tribal communities in Maharashtra and the progress achieved so far;
(e) whether natural farming clusters in tribal areas are being linked with FPOs,
markets and certification systems to improve tribal farmers’ incomes; and
(f) the role of KVKs and research institutions in training and monitoring outcomes in
these tribal regions?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
कृ िष एवं िकसान क(cid:670)ाण रा(cid:475) मं(cid:361)ी (SHRI BHAGIRATH CHOUDHARY)
(a) : Yes, the Government is implementing National Mission on Natural Farming
(NMNF) to promote natural farming and Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY)
for promotion of organic farming, including in State of Maharashtra.
(b) to (d) : Under the implementation of the NMNF, community resource persons
such as Krishi Sakhis have been deployed to provide guidance and handholding
support to farmers at the village level. To facilitate the transition from conventional to
natural farming practices, 136 training programmes at the KVK level and 442 training
sessions at the village level have been conducted. Farmers have been trained in the
preparation and application of natural inputs, including microbial formulations such as
Jeevamrut and seed treatment solutions like Beejamrut, as alternatives to chemical
fertilizers and pesticides. A total of 31,237 farmers have been enrolled under the
Mission and financial assistance of ₹4,000 per acre per farmer for a period of two
years is being provided under NMNF. The scheme also envisages the establishment
of Bio-Input Resource Centres (BRCs) at the village level to ensure the easy
availability of natural farming inputs. These BRCs are operational and accessible to
farmers at the village or block level. In addition, regular training programmes at village
and KVK levels are being conducted to strengthen farmers’ capacities and promote
wider adoption of natural farming practices. Rs. 80.6601 Crore has been released to
the State of Maharashtra for the financial year 2025–26 under NMNF. Rs. 160.9301
Crore has been released to the State from 2015-16 to 2025-26 under PKVY to the
State of Maharashtra.(e): The State Government of Maharashtra is also implementing Dr. Panjabrao
Deshmukh Naisargik Sheti Mission across the State including tribal dominated regions
of the State for the promotion of Natural Farming. Natural Farming Certification System
(NFCS) has also been initiated by the Government as "PGS-INDIA NATURAL" for
certification of all produces of natural farming in accordance with the Natural Farming
Standards. It is an online certification system and implemented through National
Centre for Organic and Natural Farming (NCONF). More than 14 lakh farmers have
been registered under the natural farming certification system till date with more than
6 lakh farmers issued NF certificates. Certification will enable farmers to get premium
price for natural products. In the State of Maharashtra, 2,60,530 farmers have been
registered under the natural farming certification system till date with more than
2,36,986 farmers issued NF certificates.
(f): The Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Central and State Agricultural Universities (AU),
Local Natural Farming Institutions (LNFI) and Farmer Master Trainers (FMT) impart
training on all aspects of Natural Farming implementation. It includes on-field training
in Natural Farming model demonstration farms of farmer fields covering locally
relevant NF practices, package of Natural Farming practices and preparation of
Natural Farming inputs such as Beejamrut, Jeevamrut, Neemastra etc and other
location specific good Natural Farming practices.
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