The Indian government has taken a bold step towards sustainable agriculture with the launch of the National Mission on Natural Farming NMNF in November 2024, marking a significant shift from chemical-dependent farming to environmentally sustainable practices. With an allocated budget of ₹2,481 crore, this mission aims to cover 7.5 lakh hectares across 15,000 clusters, directly benefiting 1 crore farmers nationwide.

The NMNF represents an evolution of the earlier Bharatiya Prakritik Krishi Paddhati BPKP , which was implemented under the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana PKVY) from 2020 21 to 2022 23. This restructured mission emphasizes scientifically backed approaches towards sustainability, climate resilience, and safe food production. Unlike conventional farming that relies heavily on synthetic inputs, natural farming focuses on indigenous practices using cow dung, cow urine, and other organic materials to create bio-inputs like Jeevamrit and Beejamrit.

One of the mission’s key innovations is the establishment of 10,000 need–based Bio–Input Resource Centres BRCs across participating clusters. These centers will provide easy access to natural farming inputs, reducing farmers’ dependency on expensive chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Each cluster will also have two trained Krishi Sakhis or Community Resource Persons CRPs to guide farmers and generate community-wide awareness through Self Help Groups, Anganwadi centers, and Gram Sabhas.

Recent progress shows promising results. As of March 2025, 70,021 Krishi Sakhis have been trained in soil health and natural farming practices, with ₹177.78 lakh already released to States and Union Territories. The mission’s output-based incentive structure allows each farmer to receive support for up to one acre of land, making it accessible even for small and marginal farmers who constitute 86% of India’s farming population.

The environmental benefits are substantial. Natural farming eliminates synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, promoting microbial activity, improving soil structure, and enhancing nutrient availability. Studies from Andhra Pradesh’s Community-Managed Natural Farming program show improvement in soil organic carbon within just 3 5 years. Additionally, natural farming reduces water consumption through techniques like mulching and cover cropping, which is crucial given that India faces critical groundwater levels in 256 out of 700 districts.

Economically, the mission addresses the debt crisis affecting over 50% of Indian farmers due to rising input costs. By utilizing on-farm resources and eliminating expensive chemical inputs, natural farming can reduce cultivation costs by 50 60% while maintaining comparable yields after the transition period. This approach aligns with the government’s goal of doubling farmers’ income while ensuring environmental sustainability for future generations.