Progress of Natural Farming under the National Mission for Natural Farming

📌 Summary:

• The Union Cabinet approved the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) on 25 November 2024 as a centrally sponsored scheme, implemented nationwide to promote natural farming
• Natural Farming = chemical-free farming with livestock-integrated methods and diversified crop systems rooted in Indian traditional knowledge; improves soil health, restores ecosystems, cuts input costs and builds climate resilience
• Implementation support network: 527 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), 76 Agriculture Universities, 194 Local Natural Farming Institutes (LNFIs), and 18 Centres of Natural Farming (CoNFs) for training
• 33,257 Krishi Sakhis / Community Resource Persons (CRPs) trained so far to handhold farmers at cluster level
• Largest state coverage includes Andhra Pradesh (5,002 clusters; ~6.5 lakh farmers; ~4.26 lakh hectares); other significant states: Gujarat, Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh
• Model recognises the interdependence of soil, water, microbiome, plants, animals, climate and human needs

🎯 UPSC Relevance: GS3 (Indian Economy - Agriculture) — sustainable/natural farming, soil health, input-cost reduction and climate-resilient agriculture; institutional delivery via KVKs and CRPs.

📝 Prelims Facts:

• NMNF approved 25 Nov 2024; centrally sponsored scheme; chemical-free, livestock-integrated farming
• Support institutions: 527 KVKs, 76 Agriculture Universities, 194 LNFIs, 18 CoNFs
• 33,257 Krishi Sakhis/CRPs trained; AP leads with 5,002 clusters

🔑 Key Term: Natural Farming — a chemical-free, low-external-input agroecological practice using on-farm biomass, livestock integration and diversified cropping.