The National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) has been introduced by the Indian government as an autonomous initiative aimed at fostering environmentally friendly and sustainable farming practices, free from chemical inputs, while also considering climate resilience in agriculture. The scheme has been established through the expansion of the Bhartiya Prakritik Krishi Paddhati (BPKP) to encourage the adoption of natural farming practices across the country.
Objectives of the Scheme:
The NMNF focuses on three primary objectives:
- Enhancing agricultural productivity and incomes in a sustainable manner.
- Promoting adaptation and resilience to climate change.
- Reducing greenhouse gas emissions whenever feasible.
Key features of the Scheme:
- Under the NMNF, a total area of 7.5 lakh hectares will be covered through the establishment of 15,000 clusters. Farmers who express their interest in implementing natural farming on their fields will be registered as members of these clusters.
- Each cluster will consist of 50 or more farmers who collectively possess a land area of 50 hectares or more.
- Farmers participating in the NMNF will be provided financial support of ₹15,000 per hectare annually for a duration of three years to establish on-farm input production infrastructure.
- A web portal has been introduced to track the implementation progress, offer comprehensive information on the framework, resources, farmer registration, and provide blogs related to the National Mission on Natural Farming.
Benefits of NMNF:
- NMNF promotes environmentally friendly farming practices, improves soil health, and reduces the use of synthetic inputs.
- By adopting natural farming methods, farmers can lower production costs and enhance profitability.
- NMNF also ensures the production of healthier and pesticide-free food, conserves water resources, and builds resilience to climate change.
- It generates livelihood opportunities, preserves traditional knowledge, and contributes to biodiversity conservation.
- Ultimately, NMNF fosters sustainable agriculture, economic well-being, and a healthier environment for farmers and consumers alike.
By promoting chemical-free and climate-smart agriculture, the NMNF seeks to enhance food security, improve the livelihoods of farmers, and safeguard the environment for future generations.