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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3699
TO BE ANSWERED ON 11TH AUGUST, 2026
SOIL DEGRADATION MITIGATION
3699. SHRI KARAN BHUSHAN SINGH:
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 Government is aware that chemical-intensive farming has degraded
soils in Gonda and Bahraich, with KVK assessments flagging sulphur and micronutrient
deficiencies affecting pulses, oilseeds and cereal yields;
(b) whether these districts are covered under the National Mission on Natural Farming
(NMNF), and if so, the clusters formed, farmers enrolled, and Bio-Input Resource Centres
set up in each, since November 2024;
(c) the funds released and farmers who received the Rs. 4,000/acre annual NMNF
incentive in these districts so far; and
(d) the steps taken to extend PGS-India certification and market access to natural
farming produce from these districts?
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): The State Government of Uttar Pradesh has reported that, Department of
Agriculture, Gonda and Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) has assessed the soil fertility status
through the Soil Health Card Programme. The assessments have indicated presence of
sulphur and zinc deficiencies in a proportion of agricultural soil. This may affect the
productivity of pulses, oilseeds and cereal crops. However, the soil test results indicated an
improving trend in sulphur status due to the adoption of balanced nutrient management
practices. The Department of Agriculture and KVK are promoting Soil Health Card-based
fertilizer recommendations, integrated nutrient management, and the judicious use of
sulphur and zinc fertilizers through farmer awareness, training and demonstrations.(b): As reported by the State of Uttar Pradesh, in 2025-26, 120 clusters enrolling 15,000
farmers were formed in Bahraich district and 2 Bio-Input Resource Centres (BRCs) were
established. In Gonda district, 10 clusters enrolling 1,250 farmers were formed and 2 Bio-
Input Resource Centres (BRCs) were established.
(c): As reported by the State of Uttar Pradesh in 2025-26, ₹1,347.96 lakh was released
to Bahraich district under NMNF and 15,000 farmers have received the annual incentive of
₹4,000/- per acre. Similarly, ₹117.89 lakh was released to Gonda district and 1,182 farmers
have received the annual incentive of ₹4,000/- per acre under the Mission.
(d): Natural Farming Certification System (NFCS) for certification of natural farming
produce has been initiated under the Mission. NFCS adopts a digital online certification
under Participatory Guarantee System (PGS-INDIA NATURAL) with logo “PGS-INDIA
NATURAL”. Till date more than 2.47 lakh farmers have been registered under the Natural
Farming Certification Systems (NFCS) and more than 2.30 lakh farmers have been issued
Natural Farming certificates in the State of Uttar Pradesh. Natural Farming certified
products are available in the market as well as on Open Network for Digital Commerce
(ONDC) for Business to Consumer sales.
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