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Time of India
6 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
PM Modi to roll out ₹2,481 cr mission to boost natural farming next week
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will next week formally launch a ₹2,481 crore programme aimed at promoting sustainable farming on 750,000 hectares of land and increasing the income of 10 million farmers, a senior government official told ET. Conceived by the Niti Aayog and run by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare, the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) is a centrally sponsored programme. The central government is contributing ₹1,584 crore towards the scheme with states accounting for ₹897 crore, the official said. Finance Value and Valuation Masterclass - Batch 4 By CA Himanshu Jain View Program Artificial Intelligence AI For Business Professionals Batch 2 By Ansh Mehra View Program Finance Value and Valuation Masterclass - Batch 3 By CA Himanshu Jain View Program Artificial Intelligence AI For Business Professionals By Vaibhav Sisinity View Program Finance Value and Valuation Masterclass - Batch 2 By CA Himanshu Jain View Program Finance Value and Valuation Masterclass Batch-1 By CA Himanshu Jain View Program While the formal inauguration is on August 23, registration of farmers for the programme has already started. "The Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare will run the scheme over the next two years and scale it up eventually depending on the success and utilisation of the budgetary allocation," the official added. The mission is designed to support farmers to reduce input cost of cultivation and dependency to externally purchased inputs. Live Events The plan is to implement it in 15,000 clusters in gram panchayats and preference would be given to areas where natural farming is prevalent, in states like Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Kerala, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. The idea is to scientifically revive and strengthen agriculture practices towards sustainability and climate resilience, while ensuring healthy food for farmer families and consumers. Under the mission, the government will set up need-based 10,000 bio-input resource centres to ensure easy availability of and accessibility to ready-to-use natural farming inputs for farmers. Farmers will be provided with an easy and simple certification system and dedicated common branding to market their natural farming produce. Real-time geotagged and referenced monitoring of NMNF implementation will be done through an online portal.
Mint
13-05-2025
- Business
- Mint
Natural farming is booming—now it may finally get a certification
NEW DELHI : In a bid to boost consumer trust and farmer incomes, the central government is likely to introduce a nationwide Natural Farming Certification System (NFCS), modelled on the existing organic certification mechanism, a senior agriculture ministry official told Mint. The certification is significant for the 18 lakh farmers practicing natural farming across 7.8 lakh hectares in the country, as it will enable them to command premium prices for their chemical and synthetic fertilizer-free products, leading to better and more stable incomes. "We are planning to introduce NFCS across the country soon. It would be non-binding and voluntary for producers," said the official cited above, without giving a specific timeline. Also read: Mint Primer | Natural farming: Ambitious plan, but will it work? State and union territory boards on organic and natural farming may act as certifying agencies. Natural farming is gaining traction in Punjab, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Mizoram, Telangana, and Kerala, with various farmer-led movements and state governments supporting its adoption. The NFCS will be implemented under the existing Participatory Guarantee System (PGS-India)—which also certifies organic produce—but with separate standards tailored for natural farming. Launched in 2011, PGS-India is a localised quality assurance approach that helps small farmers access certification without the high costs of third-party options. "The certification benefits farmers through market access and fair pricing, while giving consumers confidence in the quality and safety of what they buy," said another government official requesting anonymity. The certification system is likely to promote accountability and create a formal structure for natural farming. This can influence policies, attract government support, and boost consumer awareness. Queries sent to Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare spokesperson remained unanswered. Also read: India targets ₹20,000 crore in organic produce exports by 2028 Farming experts weigh in 'What started with just a few crops is now expanding to almost all major crops," said Umendra Dutt, executive director of Kheti Virasat Mission, which promotes natural and organic farming. Consumers are increasingly drawn to natural farming due to the potential for more nutritious, chemical-free food, and reduced health risks. However, its limited availability and higher prices currently restrict access for middle-class consumers. "Whatever, we are eating these days is acidic, which is not good for the body. Natural farming avoids synthetic chemicals, resulting in food with potentially higher nutritional value and less risk of long-term health issues, so it's the need of the hour," said Subhash Palekar, Padma Shri awardee and a leading voice in the natural farming movement. Organic farming uses natural inputs like compost and manure, while natural farming avoids all external inputs—including organic fertilizers—relying solely on natural ecological processes. The move comes in the backdrop of organic farm products being sold at a premium to consumers. In November 2024, the Union Cabinet approved the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) as a standalone centrally sponsored scheme with an outlay of ₹2,481 crore for FY 2025-26. The aim is to promote chemical-free farming, reduce farmers' input costs, and offer safe, nutritious food. Also read: How is betting big on tech to bridge Indian farming's trust deficit
