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)