The Government of India provided an update on its initiatives to promote balanced and sustainable fertilizer use through the PM Programme for Restoration, Awareness Generation, Nourishment and Amelioration of Mother Earth (PM-PRANAM). Approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on 28 June 2023 for the period 2023-24 to 2025-26, the scheme provides incentives to states and union territories for reducing consumption of chemical fertilizers (Urea, DAP, NPK and MOP) compared to the average consumption of the previous three financial years.
During 2025-26, five states/UTs—Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Delhi, Goa, Manipur, and Mizoram—recorded a cumulative reduction of 0.18 Lakh Metric Tons in chemical fertilizer consumption. The incentive mechanism provides 50% of the fertilizer subsidy saved, with 95% allocated to the concerned state/UT and 5% retained by the central government. Of the state share, 65% must be utilized for capital expenditure projects under Centrally Sponsored Schemes, while 30% can be used for other activities including Information, Education and Communication initiatives. The government noted that incentives under the scheme have not yet been disbursed.
The government is simultaneously expanding organic farming through two schemes: Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) and Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER). Under PKVY, assistance of ₹31,500 per hectare is provided over 3 years, with ₹15,000 per hectare provided directly to farmers through Direct Benefit Transfer for organic inputs. Since inception until 30 June 2026, PKVY has covered 18.93 lakh hectares benefiting 33.63 lakh farmers with ₹2,811.36 crore released as central share. MOVCDNER provides ₹46,500 per hectare over 3 years, with ₹32,500 per hectare for organic inputs including ₹15,000 as Direct Benefit Transfer. This scheme has covered 2.36 lakh hectares benefiting 2.74 lakh farmers with ₹1,548.62 crore released as central share.
The National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF), launched on 25 November 2024, promotes chemical-free farming integrated with livestock and traditional agricultural knowledge. With a total financial outlay of ₹2,481 crore (central share: ₹1,584 crore, state share: ₹897 crore) until March 2026, the mission provides Output Based Incentives of ₹4,000 per acre per year for 2 years, limited to one acre per farmer. During FY 2025-26, the mission formed 18,893 clusters covering 10.32 lakh hectares involving 20.93 lakh farmers. Supporting infrastructure included 33,257 trained Krishi Sakhis/Community Resource Persons and 7,601 Bio-Input Resource Centres. Awareness programs reached 33.89 lakh farmers, 18.13 lakh soil samples were collected, and ₹599.68 crore was utilized against a budget allocation of ₹725 crore. Over 22.47 lakh farmers registered under the Natural Farming Certification System, with 14.43 lakh certified.
For precision nutrient management, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research has developed drip fertigation schedules for 50 crops across 14 agro-ecological regions, disseminated through Krishi Vigyan Kendras, demonstrations, and training programs. ICAR has also standardized and promoted various organic manures including Farm Yard Manure, phosphocompost, vermicompost, bio-enriched compost, municipal solid waste compost, and enriched fermented organic manures through demonstrations and public awareness campaigns.