Progress of National Mission on Natural Farming
1. At a Glance
- National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) is a standalone Centrally Sponsored Scheme under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare to scale up chemical-free, ecosystem-based natural farming rooted in traditional knowledge [S2][S3].
- Upscaled from the earlier Bhartiya Prakritik Krishi Paddhati (BPKP) sub-component of Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) [S3].
- Relevant for GS-III (Agriculture, sustainability, food security) — combines soil health, climate resilience, input-cost reduction, and farmer welfare [S2].
2. Why in the News
- 13 Feb 2026 PIB release detailed progress: PGS-India Natural certification under Natural Farming Certification System (NFCS) initiated in 2025-26; State-wise certified farmer data published as on 04.02.2026; ₹2,100/ha for 2 years as certification cost under NMNF [S1].
- Cabinet had approved NMNF on 25 November 2024, making 2025-26 the first full progress-tracking year [S2][S3].
3. Background & Evolution
- 2019-20: Natural farming introduced as BPKP sub-scheme under PKVY in 8 States [S3].
- 2022: Promotion of natural farming highlighted in Union Budget; focus on Ganga corridor (5 km belt) [S2].
- 25 Nov 2024: Union Cabinet approves NMNF as standalone CSS [S2][S3].
- 26 Dec 2024: NMNF Operational Guidelines circulated to States/UTs [S2].
- March 2025: Annual Action Plans of 33 States/UTs approved [S2].
- 2025-26: Certification system PGS-India Natural under NFCS launched [S1].
4. Core Static Facts
- Implementing Ministry: Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare) [S1][S2].
- Type: Centrally Sponsored Scheme (standalone, w.e.f. 25.11.2024) [S3].
- Total Outlay (till 15th FC, up to 2025-26): ₹2,481 crore (Centre: ₹1,584 cr; State: ₹897 cr) [S3].
- Targets: 1 crore farmers, 7.5 lakh hectares, 15,000 clusters [S2].
- Bio-input Resource Centres (BRCs) target: 10,000 [S2].
- Krishi Sakhis deployed: 70,000+ for last-mile delivery [S2].
- Financial incentive: ₹4,000/acre/year for 2 years to farmers adopting natural farming [S2].
- Certification: PGS-India Natural under NFCS, cost ₹2,100/ha for 2 years borne under NMNF [S1].
5. Multi-Dimensional Analysis
Economic - Reduces input cost dependency on synthetic fertilizers/pesticides; targets farmer income via lower cost of cultivation [S2]. - ₹2,481 cr outlay shared 64:36 between Centre and States [S3].
Environmental - Promotes chemical-free cultivation, soil health restoration, biodiversity, and climate resilience [S2]. - Aligns with India's commitments under UNFCCC and SDG-2/SDG-15.
Administrative - Cluster-based delivery (15,000 clusters), AAP-driven release; ₹177.78 lakh released in FY 2024-25 reflecting slow initial uptake [S2]. - Convergence with Krishi Sakhi (under DAY-NRLM) for extension [S2].
Social - Krishi Sakhis (women community resource persons) mainstreamed as natural-farming trainers — gender-equity angle [S2].
Scientific/Technological - 1,100 model farms and 806 training institutes engaged for demonstration and capacity building (as of July 2025) [S2].
6. Recent Developments (last 12-18 months)
- 25 Nov 2024: Cabinet approval as standalone CSS, ₹2,481 cr outlay [S3].
- 26 Dec 2024: Operational guidelines issued [S2].
- March 2025: AAPs of 33 States/UTs approved [S2].
- July 2025: 10 lakh+ farmers enrolled; 1,100 model farms; 806 training institutes engaged [S2].
- 2025-26: PGS-India Natural launched under NFCS for certification [S1].
- 13 Feb 2026: PIB progress release with State-wise certification and fund-release data (as on 04.02.2026) [S1].
7. Prelims Hooks
- NMNF is a standalone Centrally Sponsored Scheme, not a sub-scheme of PKVY [S3].
- Cabinet approval date: 25 November 2024 [S2][S3].
- Total outlay: ₹2,481 crore (Centre ₹1,584 cr + State ₹897 cr) [S3].
- Coverage target: 1 crore farmers, 7.5 lakh ha, 15,000 clusters [S2].
- Financial incentive: ₹4,000/acre/year for 2 years [S2].
- 10,000 Bio-input Resource Centres (BRCs) targeted [S2].
- 70,000+ Krishi Sakhis deployed as trainers [S2].
- Certification system: Natural Farming Certification System (NFCS) via PGS-India Natural, from 2025-26 [S1].
- Certification cost: ₹2,100/ha for 2 years, borne by NMNF [S1].
- Predecessor: Bhartiya Prakritik Krishi Paddhati (BPKP) under PKVY, started 2019-20 in 8 States [S3].
- Nodal Ministry: Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (not MoEFCC, not Jal Shakti) [S1].
- AAPs of 33 States/UTs approved by March 2025 [S2].
8. Mains Relevance
- GS-III — Major crops & cropping patterns; issues of food security; e-technology in aid of farmers; agricultural marketing; subsidies and MSP; environment & conservation.
- Possible question stems:
- "Examine the potential of the National Mission on Natural Farming in reconciling productivity with sustainability in Indian agriculture."
- "Discuss the institutional architecture (PGS-India Natural, BRCs, Krishi Sakhis) underpinning the NMNF. What are the implementation challenges?"
- "Natural farming is climate-smart but yield-uncertain. Critically evaluate."
9. Related Topics to Study Next
- PKVY & BPKP — predecessor schemes [S3].
- PGS-India — participatory organic certification framework [S1].
- Soil Health Card Scheme — complementary soil agenda.
- Per Drop More Crop / PMKSY — sustainable input use.
- Mission Organic Value Chain Development for NE Region (MOVCDNER) — parallel certified-organic push.
- Krishi Sakhi Convergence Programme (DAY-NRLM) — extension delivery channel [S2].
- 15th Finance Commission — outlay frame for NMNF [S3].
- Zero Budget Natural Farming (Subhash Palekar) — ideological precursor.
10. Common Errors / Trap Areas
- Wrong ministry: NMNF is under Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, NOT MoEFCC or Jal Shakti [S1].
- Scheme status: It is a standalone CSS since 25.11.2024 — no longer a PKVY sub-component [S3].
- Certification confusion: PGS-India Natural (NFCS) is distinct from PGS-India Organic and from NPOP (third-party organic) [S1].
- Outlay split: Centre:State is ₹1,584 cr : ₹897 cr, not 60:40 or 50:50 [S3].
- Incentive unit: ₹4,000 is per acre per year, not per hectare [S2]; certification cost ₹2,100 is per hectare for two years [S1] — easy unit mix-up.
11. Sources
- [S1] Progress of National Mission on Natural Farming (PIB, 13 Feb 2026) — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2227749 — (tier 1)
- [S2] National Mission on Natural Farming to Drive Sustainable and Low-Cost Farming Practices (PIB) — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2204752 — (tier 1)
- [S3] Launch of National Mission on Natural Farming (PIB) — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2077094 — (tier 1)