Over 1 Million Farmers Join India's National Natural Farming Mission
India's push for a more sustainable agricultural future has reached a significant milestone, with the government announcing that over 10 lakh (one million) farmers have now enrolled under the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF). The initiative, aimed at promoting chemical-free and eco-friendly farming practices, is now active across 15,000 clusters nationwide.
Building a Grassroots Movement
According to a statement in the Lok Sabha by the Minister of State for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Ramnath Thakur, the mission currently covers approximately 7.5 lakh hectares of land. The program is structured around clusters of about 50 hectares each, creating localized hubs for training and support.
A robust support system is being built to ensure the mission's success. Over 3,900 scientists and officials have received specialized training to guide the farmers. They are assisted by a network of nearly 28,000 Community Resource Persons (CRPs) who provide hands-on support and demonstrations at the village level. To facilitate practical learning, 1,100 model farms have been developed at agricultural universities and on the fields of experienced farmers.
Incentives and Market Linkages
To encourage the transition to natural farming, the government is providing a financial incentive of ₹4,000 per acre per year for up to one acre per farmer. This assistance helps cover the costs of preparing natural inputs and other related activities.
Recognizing the need for market access, the government is also rolling out a dedicated Natural Farming Certification System. Furthermore, over 7,900 Bio-input Resource Centres (BRCs) have been identified to ensure a steady supply of natural farming inputs at the local level.
To sum up, the National Mission on Natural Farming represents a comprehensive and structured effort by the government to shift the country's agricultural paradigm. By combining training, financial support, and market access, the mission is empowering a growing number of farmers to adopt more sustainable and resilient farming methods.
