Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare addresses Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 236 regarding Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF). The response details the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF), approved on November 25, 2024, including its aims, progress, training programs, and incentives for farmers transitioning to ZBNF. The statement was laid on the Table of the House on August 5th, 2025.
Key Points / Main Content:
National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF):
Approved on November 25, 2024, with an outlay of ₹2481 crore.
Aims to strengthen agriculture with sustainable, climate-resilient, and safe food practices.
Focuses on improving soil health, restoring ecosystems, and reducing input costs for farmers.
Envisages the formation of 15,000 natural farming clusters in 7.5 lakh Ha area, covering 18.75 lakh farmers.
Aims to establish 10,000 Bioinput Resource Centres (BRCs) for readily available natural farming inputs.
Progress and Research Findings:
5.37 Lakh hectare area initiated under natural farming.
ICAR-IIFSR study indicates yield enhancement through intercropping, mulching, and cover crops.
Observed increase of up to 0.25 in soil organic carbon content and reduction of up to 29% in input costs under Natural Farming.
ICAR-NAARM study shows improved farmer income through reduced cultivation costs and better product prices, with B:C ratio improvement from 15% to 270% across Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Maharashtra.
Training and Capacity Building:
Training provided to scientists, Farmer Master Trainers (FMTs), Community Resource Persons (CRPs), and Government Officials.
Over 3900 Scientists, FMTs, and Government officials trained.
Approximately 28,000 CRPs identified under the Mission.
1,100 Natural Farming Model Farms developed in Krishi Vigyan Kendras, Agricultural Universities, and on farmers' fields for training.
806 training institutions involved to support Mission implementation.
18 Centres of Natural Farming identified for training Scientists, FMTs, and officials.
Specific training modules for Scientists/FMTs, officials, CRPs, farmers, and BRC entrepreneurs.
Incentives:
Output-based incentive of ₹4000 per acre per year for 2 years (up to 1 acre per farmer).
Incentive supports natural farming practices, training, livestock upkeep, and preparation/purchase of natural farming inputs.
Impact Analysis:
Farmers:
Impact: Potential for reduced input costs, increased income through better yields and prices, and improved soil health.
Action Required: Consider adopting natural farming practices, participating in training programs, and utilizing available incentives.
Scientists, Farmer Master Trainers (FMTs), Community Resource Persons (CRPs), Government Officials:
Impact: Need to provide training, conduct demonstrations, and offer support to farmers transitioning to natural farming.
Action Required: Participate in training programs, disseminate information, and assist in the implementation of NMNF.
Agricultural Universities and Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs):
Impact: Role in developing model farms, providing training, and supporting the implementation of NMNF.
Action Required: Establish model farms, conduct training programs, and collaborate with state governments and other institutions.
Bioinput Resource Centre (BRC) Entrepreneurs:
Impact: Opportunity to establish and manage BRCs, providing essential inputs for natural farming.
Action Required: Participate in training programs, establish BRCs, and ensure the availability of quality natural farming inputs.
State Governments:
Impact: Responsible for implementing NMNF within their respective states.
Action Required: Approve and implement annual action plans, allocate funds, and monitor the progress of NMNF.
Key Entities Referenced
Zero Budget Natural Farming: A method of farming that eliminates the need for purchased inputs and relies on natural processes.
National Mission on Natural Farming: A centrally sponsored scheme by the Indian government to promote sustainable agriculture practices.
SHRI SHIVRAJ SINGH CHOUHAN: The Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare of India.
Indian Council of Agricultural Research: An autonomous organisation under the Department of Agricultural Research and Education, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India
Andhra Pradesh: A state in India where studies on Natural Farming were conducted.
Karnataka: A state in India where studies on Natural Farming were conducted.
Maharashtra: A state in India where studies on Natural Farming were conducted.
Direct Benefit Transfer: A mechanism for transferring subsidies directly into the bank accounts of beneficiaries.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS’ WELFARE
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS’ WELFARE
LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. 236
TO BE ANSWERED ON 05TH AUGUST, 2025
ZERO BUDGET NATURAL FARMING
*236. SHRI NARESH GANPAT MHASKE:
SHRI RAVINDRA DATTARAM WAIKAR:
Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ िष एवं िकसान क(cid:670)ाण मं(cid:361)ी
be pleased to state:
(a) the data on the number of farmers and hectares of land covered under Zero Budget
Natural Farming (ZBNF) along with the comparative data on input cost reduction, net
income increase, and soil health improvement for farmers practicing ZBNF, State-wise
and year-wise;
(b) the details of the partnerships which have been established with State Governments,
Agricultural Universities, and Civil Society Organizations for large-scale outreach of the
ZBNF model and the outcomes achieved thereof;
(c) the details of the capacity-building programs and training modules that have been
introduced to educate farmers, SHGs, and extension workers;
(d) the details of the key steps which have been taken by the Government to promote Zero
Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) across States as an alternative to input-intensive
farming; and
(e) whether the Government is considering to provide direct benefit transfer (DBT) or
incentives to farmers transitioning from conventional to ZBNF methods?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
कृ िष एवं िकसान क(cid:670)ाण मं(cid:361)ी (SHRI SHIVRAJ SINGH CHOUHAN)
(a) to (e): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.STATEMENT IN RESPECT OF PARTS (a) TO (e) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED
QUESTION NO. 236 DUE FOR ANSWER ON 05TH AUGUST, 2025 REGARDING “ZERO
BUDGET NATURAL FARMING”.
(a): The Union Cabinet approved the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) on
25th November 2024 as a centrally sponsored scheme with an overall outlay of ₹2481 crore.
The Mission aims to strengthen agriculture practices with scientifically backed approaches,
towards sustainability, climate resilience and safe food. The Mission focuses on improving
soil health, restoring ecosystems and reducing input cost to the farmers.
The scheme envisages the formation of 15,000 natural farming clusters in 7.5 lakh
Ha area covering 18.75 lakh farmers and setting up 10,000 need-based Bio-input Resource
Centres (BRCs) for easy availability of natural farming inputs. This will reduce the
dependency on externally purchased chemical inputs. The progress of the Mission is given
at Annexure-I. Area cover 5.37 Lakh hectare has been initiated under natural farming.
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. This include yield
enhancement through intercropping with pulses, mulching using crop residues, and use of
cover crops. 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 improving farmers’ income by reducing cost of cultivation, and attracting better
product price. The benefit cost (B:C) ratio improved by 15 to 270% across the 3 States under
natural farming.
(b): Under the Mission scientists, Farmer Master Trainers (FMTs), Community Resource
Persons (CRPs) and Government Officials are trained and deployed to undertake
awareness generation, training, on-field demonstration and provide continuous handholding
support to farmers. More than 3900 Scientists, FMTs & Government officials have been
trained on Natural Farming and about 28,000 CRPs have been identified under the Mission.
Till date 1,100 Natural Farming Model Farms have been developed in Krishi Vigyan
Kendras, Agricultural Universities and on fields of practicing natural farming farmers for the
training of farmers. Also, 806 training institutions consisting of Krishi Vigyan Kendras(KVKs),Agricultural Universities and Local Natural Farming Institutions have been involved by
States/UTs to support the implementation of the Mission.
(c): 18 Centres of Natural Farming have been identified to impart training to Scientists,
FMTs and State/ District/ Block officials. Scientists and FMTs undergo 2 rounds of 4 day
training each. State/ District/ Block Officials undergo 1 round of 3 day training. The training
is on Principles of Natural Farming, Soil Health Management, Cropping System, Livestock
integration, Exposure visit to Natural Farming fields, etc. CRPs undergo 2 rounds of 5 day
training each by Scientists and FMTs at Natural Farming Model Farms. Farmers undergo 4
rounds of 1 day training per year by Scientists and FMTs at farms of practising natural
farming farmers and on natural farming model farms. They are trained on methodology of
natural farming, practices of improving soil organic matter such as mulching, crop rotation,
pest management, crop selection, etc. BRC entrepreneurs undergo 2 rounds of 3 day
training each on principles of natural farming, preparation, storage and dosage of different
natural farming bio-inputs, pest & disease management practices, roles and responsibilities
of BRC, business enterprise development, etc. at designated training institutions.
(d): Annual Action Plans for NMNF have been approved for all States and funds made
available.
(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.Annexure-I
Progress under National Mission on Natural Farming
S No. State/ UT Farmers enrolled Soil samples collected of enrolled farmers
1 Andaman & Nicobar Islands 250 123
2 Andhra Pradesh 34102 5130
3 Arunachal Pradesh 4474 4474
4 Assam 3750 1802
5 Bihar 35465 5228
6 Chhattisgarh 50565 42304
Dadra & Nagar Haveli and
7 Daman & Diu 0 0
8 Delhi 195 0
9 Goa 1250 988
10 Gujarat 47905 862
11 Haryana 15375 0
12 Himachal Pradesh 61998 26900
13 Jammu & Kashmir 19125 17243
14 Jharkhand 9200 0
15 Karnataka 112665 87447
16 Kerala 6090 0
17 Ladakh 405 78
18 Madhya Pradesh 152248 9642
19 Maharashtra 201011 9276
20 Manipur 4400 1350
21 Meghalaya 9875 0
22 Mizoram 13125 12500
23 Nagaland 15125 0
24 Odisha 52350 12350
25 Puducherry 272 0
26 Punjab 5079 1550
27 Rajasthan 115000 68234
28 Tamil Nadu 7233 1919
29 Telangana 60446 51049
30 Tripura 2750 321
31 Uttar Pradesh 223293 60820
32 Uttarakhand 25000 1874
33 West Bengal 0 0
Total 1290021 423464
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