Courtesy: Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare | Updated: 01 April, 10:42 AM IST –
On November 25, 2024, the Union Cabinet gave its approval for the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF), a centrally sponsored initiative aimed at encouraging 1 crore farmers to adopt Natural Farming (NF) practices nationwide during the 15th Finance Commission period. The scheme has an allocated budget of ₹2481.00 crore, with the Centre and State contributing in a 90:10 ratio for Hilly and North Eastern States, and a 60:40 ratio for all other States. The guidelines for the scheme were distributed on December 26, 2024, and the Annual Action Plans (AAP) for 33 States and Union Territories (UTs) have already been approved. As of now, ₹177.78 lakh has been allocated to various States/UTs for the financial year 2024-25, as per the approved AAPs
As part of the NMNF scheme, training programs at Centers of Natural Farming (CoNF) have begun in various States/UTs. Furthermore, a total of 70,021 Krishi Sakhis have been trained in Soil Health and Natural Farming techniques. The implementation of all other activities under the NMNF is underway in different stages across States/UTs, including the enrollment of farmers and the development of NF Model Demonstration Farms.
This update was shared by the Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Shri Ramnath Thakur, in a written response in the Rajya Sabha today..