Progress of Natural Farming Under National Mission

The Union Cabinet approved the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) on 25th November 2024 as a centrally sponsored scheme implemented across India to promote chemical-free farming methods. The mission employs livestock-integrated natural farming techniques and diversified crop systems based on Indian traditional knowledge, aiming to improve soil health, restore ecosystems, reduce farmer input costs, and achieve greater climate resilience through recognition of natural ecosystem interdependence.

Implementation Framework

The mission has identified 527 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), 76 Agriculture Universities, and 194 Local Natural Farming Institutes to support cluster-level implementation. Additionally, 18 Centres of Natural Farming Institutes provide training for scientists, state/district/block level officials, and Farmer Master Trainers. At the cluster level, Community Resource Persons are deployed to handhold farmers, with 33,257 Krishi Sakhis/Community Resource Persons trained so far under the mission at KVKs, Agricultural Universities, and Local Natural Farming Institutions.

State-wise Performance Data (2024-26)

The mission has formed 18,893 clusters nationwide, enrolling 2,092,657 farmers and covering 1,032,116.452 hectares under natural farming. Andhra Pradesh leads implementation with 5,002 clusters, 650,163 farmers, and 425,912.564 hectares covered. Rajasthan follows with 2,380 clusters, 212,346 farmers, and 91,165.58 hectares, while Uttar Pradesh has 1,857 clusters, 230,733 farmers, and 83,166.9 hectares. Other significant states include Madhya Pradesh (1,805 clusters, 167,661 farmers, 90,902.256 hectares), Maharashtra (1,711 clusters, 143,707 farmers, 40,514.96 hectares), and Gujarat (1,033 clusters, 117,108 farmers, 48,740.94 hectares).

Smaller states and union territories show varying levels of participation: Andaman & Nicobar Islands (2 clusters, 250 farmers, 100 hectares), Delhi (6 clusters, 375 farmers, 150 hectares), Ladakh (4 clusters, 621 farmers, 175.616 hectares), and Puducherry (6 clusters, 772 farmers, 256.252 hectares). The comprehensive state-wise data demonstrates nationwide penetration of the natural farming mission across all regions.