**Executive Summary**
This document presents the response of the Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare to Unstarred Question No. 313 in the Lok Sabha, dated December 2, 2025, regarding the preservation of agricultural land. The response outlines initiatives, particularly the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF), approved on November 25, 2024, and the Per Drop More Crop (PDMC) scheme, implemented since 2015-16. The PDMC scheme has a completion date of 31.10.2025.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF):**
* Approved on 25.11.2024, the mission aims to promote natural farming across the country.
* Natural Farming involves chemical-free farming, livestock integration, natural farming methods, and diversified crop systems based on Indian traditional knowledge.
* The goal is to improve soil health, restore ecosystems, and reduce input costs for farmers.
* The mission targets 15,000 clusters to initiate Natural Farming in 7.5 Lakh Ha, covering 18.75 lakhs farmers, and to make 1 crore farmers aware of Natural Farming.
* Over 15 lakh farmers have been enrolled to date.
* The mission provides for 10,000 need-based Bio-input Resource Centres.
* Natural Farming is integrated with livestock, incorporating on-farm inputs like Beejamrut, Jeevamrut, Ghan Jeevamrut, Neemastra, Dashparni, etc., multi-cropping systems, and use of traditional seed varieties.
* **Per Drop More Crop (PDMC) Scheme:**
* Implemented by the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (DA&FW) from 2015-16.
* Focuses on enhancing water use efficiency through Micro Irrigation (Drip and Sprinkler Irrigation Systems).
* Financial assistance of 55% is provided for small and marginal farmers and 45% for other farmers for installation of Drip and Sprinkler systems.
* Some State Governments provide top-up subsidies.
* Total area of 106.75 lakh ha has been covered under micro irrigation through PDMC scheme as on 31.10.2025.
**Impact Analysis**
**Farmers**
* **Impact:**
* Reduced input costs through natural farming methods.
* Improved soil health and ecosystem restoration.
* Increased awareness and adoption of sustainable farming practices.
* Access to financial assistance for installing micro-irrigation systems.
* **Action Required:**
* Enroll in the NMNF to adopt natural farming practices.
* Apply for financial assistance under PDMC for drip and sprinkler irrigation.
**State Governments**
* **Impact:**
* Opportunity to enhance water use efficiency in agriculture.
* Potential to provide top-up subsidies to farmers for micro-irrigation.
* **Action Required:**
* Facilitate the implementation of PDMC at the state level.
* Consider providing additional subsidies to farmers for micro-irrigation.
Key Entities Referenced
National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF): A program to promote Natural Farming across the country, involving chemical-free farming, livestock integration, and traditional Indian knowledge-based methods.
Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (DA&FW): The government department implementing the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Per Drop More Crop.
Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Per Drop More Crop (PDMC): A scheme implemented by the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare to enhance water use efficiency at farm level through micro-irrigation techniques.
Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare: The ministry to which the questions were addressed.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 313
TO BE ANSWERED ON 2ND DECEMBER, 2025
PRESERVE THE AGRICULTURAL LAND
313. PROF. SOUGATA RAY:
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 details of steps taken so far to preserve the “virginity” of agricultural land in the
country;
(b) whether the Government has any project for implementing sustainable farming
practices, enacting and enforcing regulations that protect farmland from conversion to other
uses, and promoting awareness about the importance of land conservation;
(c) if so, the details thereof;
(d) the steps taken so far to minimize the use of synthetic pesticides by integrating
biological control methods and other sustainable pest management strategies; and
(e) the projects to promote efficient irrigation techniques, like drip irrigation and micro-
sprinklers, to conserve water resources and reduce waterlogging in agriculture sector of the
country?
ANSWER
THE 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) to (d): The National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) was approved by the Union
Cabinet on 25.11.2024 to promote Natural Farming across the country. Natural Farming is
a chemical free farming, involving livestock integrated natural farming methods and
diversified crop systems rooted in the Indian traditional knowledge. It aims to improve soil
health, restoring ecosystems and reducing input cost to the farmers.The mission target is 15,000 clusters to initiate Natural Farming in 7.5 Lakh Ha area
covering 18.75 lakhs farmers and to make 1 crore farmers aware of Natural Farming. Till
date, over 15 lakh farmers have been enrolled under the Mission. For easy availability of
natural farming bio-inputs like Jeevamrit, Beejamrit, etc., the Mission provides for 10,000
need-based Bio-input Resource Centres for natural farming farmers.
Natural farming is integrated with livestock involves use of on-farm inputs like
Beejamrut, Jeevamrut, Ghan Jeevamrut, Neemastra, Dashparni, etc., multi-cropping
systems, Pre-monsoon dry sowing, biomass based mulching, use of traditional varieties of
seeds, integration of trees on buffer zones of farm, etc. By combining biological control,
habitat management, and eco-friendly formulations, Natural Farming reduces dependence
on chemical pesticides while maintaining crop health and productivity.
(e): Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (DA&FW) is implementing Centrally
Sponsored Scheme of Per Drop More Crop (PDMC) in the Country from 2015-16. PDMC
focuses on enhancing water use efficiency at farm level through Micro Irrigation namely
Drip and Sprinkler Irrigation Systems. The Government provides financial assistance @
55% for small and marginal farmers and @ 45% for other farmers for installation of Drip and
Sprinkler systems under the PDMC. Besides some State Government also provide Top-up
subsidy to farmers from their State Budget. Total area of 106.75 lakh ha. has been covered
under micro irrigation through PDMC scheme as on 31.10.2025.
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