Source: Khan Global Studies

By Sneha Chakraborty

Executive Summary

The National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) is a centrally-sponsored scheme launched to promote chemical-free, agroecology-based farming practices across India. Announced with an initial budget allocation in Union Budget 2023-24 and subsequently expanded, the mission aims to transition farmers toward sustainable agricultural practices that reduce input costs, improve soil health, and enhance farm incomes while addressing environmental concerns associated with chemical-intensive agriculture.

The mission builds upon existing natural farming initiatives, particularly the Bharatiya Prakritik Krishi Paddhati (BPKP) program and state-level movements like Andhra Pradesh’s Zero Budget Natural Farming. By promoting indigenous cow-based preparations, on-farm biomass recycling, and biological pest management, NMNF seeks to create a farmer-led movement toward agricultural sustainability. The mission aligns with India’s climate commitments, food security objectives, and the broader vision of doubling farmers’ incomes while reducing agriculture’s ecological footprint.

Background

Context and Rationale

Indian agriculture faces a critical juncture characterized by soil degradation, water depletion, declining biodiversity, and increasing farmer indebtedness due to high input costs. The intensive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides over decades has resulted in diminishing returns, health hazards, and environmental degradation. Against this backdrop, natural farming emerges as a viable alternative that aligns with India’s traditional agricultural wisdom while addressing contemporary challenges.

What is Natural Farming?

Natural farming is defined as a chemical-free farming system that applies ecological principles to agricultural practices. It is an agro-ecology-based diversified farming system integrating crops, trees, and livestock while promoting functional biodiversity. Key principles include:

• Exclusive use of inputs produced from livestock and plant resources
• Cultivation of 15-20 diverse crops with living roots present year-round
• Minimal human intervention aligned with natural processes
• Use of native or traditional seeds
• Integration of animals utilizing their dung and urine as resources
• Focus on soil microorganisms to ensure independent soil fertility
• Adherence to local agro-ecological conditions

Key Features of the Mission

• Promotion of Natural Farming Practices: The mission emphasizes four pillars—Jivamrita (microbial culture), Bijamrita (seed treatment), mulching, and Waaphasa (soil aeration and moisture management). These practices eliminate synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, relying instead on on-farm biological inputs prepared from cow dung, urine, and locally available materials.
• Institutional Framework: Implementation occurs through a three-tier structure involving the central government, state governments, and Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs). Community Resource Persons (CRPs) and natural farming master trainers provide grassroots-level technical support and peer-to-peer learning.
• Cluster-Based Approach: The mission adopts a cluster development model, creating demonstration farms and farmer clusters to facilitate knowledge sharing, collective input preparation, and economies of scale in certification and marketing.
• Financial Support: Farmers receive financial assistance for transitioning to natural farming, including support for training, certification, input production units, and market linkages. The mission provides incentives for maintaining natural farming practices over multiple cropping seasons.
• Integration with Existing Schemes: NMNF integrates with programs like Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY), Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER), and PM-KISAN to create synergies and avoid duplication.

Key Issues

• Scientific Validation Concerns: The efficacy of natural farming techniques in maintaining yields, particularly for water-intensive crops like rice and wheat, remains contested. Limited long-term scientific data on productivity, nutritional outcomes, and scalability raises concerns among agricultural scientists and policymakers about food security implications if adopted at scale.
• Cow Availability and Economics: Natural farming methods promoted under NMNF rely heavily on indigenous cow-based inputs. However, declining indigenous cattle populations, high cow maintenance costs, and the impracticality of cow ownership for landless or marginal farmers create significant barriers.
• Market and Price Premium Uncertainty: While natural/organic produce theoretically commands premium prices, actual market infrastructure remains underdeveloped. Most farmers lack access to premium markets, and price premiums are often captured by intermediaries rather than producers.
• Regional Suitability Variations: Natural farming practices show variable results across different agro-climatic zones, soil types, and cropping patterns. Techniques successful in rainfed, low-input regions may not translate effectively to irrigated high-productivity zones without significant adaptation.

Key Recommendations

• Strengthen Scientific Research Infrastructure: Establish dedicated natural farming research centers across different agro-climatic zones to conduct rigorous, long-term studies on productivity, soil health, nutritional quality, and economic viability. Develop evidence-based protocols adapted to regional conditions and cropping systems.
• Enhanced Transition Support: Increase financial assistance during the critical 2-3 year transition period through direct income support, crop insurance with reduced premiums, and guaranteed market purchase arrangements. Create dedicated transition funds that compensate for yield declines.
• Build Comprehensive Market Ecosystem: Develop farmer producer organizations (FPOs) specifically for natural farming products, establish dedicated natural farming mandis in major consumption centers, strengthen e-marketing platforms, and create institutional purchase mandates for government agencies, schools, and hospitals.
• Alternative Input Production Models: Establish community-level input production centers where farmers can access natural inputs without individual cow ownership. Promote biogas plant integration amongst the small and marginal farmers.

The National Mission on Natural Farming represents an important step toward sustainable agriculture, but its success requires addressing fundamental constraints in research validation, market infrastructure, extension capacity, and policy coherence. A pragmatic, evidence-based approach that acknowledges both opportunities and limitations while providing robust transition support will determine whether natural farming can scale meaningfully to contribute to India’s agricultural sustainability and farmer welfare objectives.

References

https://naturalfarming.niti.gov.in

https://www.pib.gov.in/PressNoteDetails.aspx?NoteId=155019&ModuleId=3

https://www.agriwelfare.gov.in/Documents/HomeWhatsNew/Guideline_NMNF_V2_10022025_Revised.pdf

Bio:

Sneha Chakraborty is a student, who is currently pursuing her Masters in Social Work from Tata Institute of Social Sciences. Her research interests lie in gender, climate change and livelihood.