NATIONAL MISSION ON NATURE FARMING: GEOGRAPHY

NATIONAL MISSION ON NATURE FARMING: GEOGRAPHY

NEWS: Centre releases guidelines for setting up bio-resource centres to aid natural farming transition

WHAT’S IN THE NEWS?

 The National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) aims to promote chemical-free, low-cost, ecology-based farming across India by setting up 10,000 Bio-input Resource Centres (BRCs) and model demonstration farms, monitored in real-time. It emphasizes farmer training, market access, and convergence with existing schemes.

National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF): Overview

  • Objective:
    Promote chemical-free natural farming across India through a structured, mission-mode approach.
  • Scheme Type:
    It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS), meaning costs are shared between the Centre and States.
  • Nodal Ministry:
    Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Government of India.

Key Features and Implementation Plan

  • Coverage and Target Area:
  • Implemented in 15,000 clusters within willing Gram Panchayats.
  • Targets to reach 1 crore farmers and cover 7.5 lakh hectares of land over two years.
  • Preference given to regions where Natural Farming (NF) is already being practiced.
  • Bio-input Resource Centres (BRCs):
  • Establishment of 10,000 need-based BRCs to ensure local availability of bio-inputs for farmers.
  • These centres will produce and supply natural formulations (e.g., Jivamrit, Bijamrit) to promote on-farm resource-based farming.
  • Model Demonstration Farms:
  • Will be developed at Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), Agricultural Universities (AUs), and individual farmer fields.
  • Aim: Provide practical training to farmers in natural farming techniques.
  • Farmer Mobilisation and Training:
  • Supported through Krishi Sakhi – a community resource person to educate and motivate farmers.
  • Emphasis on awareness campaigns and field demonstrations.
  • Certification and Branding:
  • Introduces a simple, farmer-friendly certification system for Natural Farming produce.
  • Ensures a common branding identity to help farmers access premium markets.
  • Real-time Monitoring System:
  • Uses geo-tagged, referenced data through a dedicated online portal to track implementation progress cluster-wise.
  • Scheme Convergence:
  • Seeks to align with existing Central and State schemes, like Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY), etc., for support and resource pooling.

Understanding Natural Farming

  • Definition: A chemical-free and low-input farming system based on ecological balance, resource recycling, and use of indigenous inputs.
  • Philosophy and Benefits:
  • Emphasizes soil health restoration, biodiversity conservation, animal welfare, and minimal ecological disturbance.
  • Reduces dependence on external inputs like synthetic fertilizers and pesticides.
  • Enhances climate resilience, farm profitability, and nutrition security.
  • Origin and Promoter:
  • Developed and popularized by Subhash Palekar, an Indian agriculturist and Padma Shri awardee.
  • Also referred to as Subhash Palekar Natural Farming (SPNF).

Core Principles – The Four Pillars of Natural Farming

  1. Bijamrit (Seed Treatment):
    • Seeds are coated with a mixture of cow dung, cow urine, lime, and neem leaf paste.
    • Prevents seed-borne diseases and improves germination.
  1. Jivamrit (Soil Microbe Enrichment):
    • A fermented microbial culture made from cow dung, cow urine, jaggery, pulse flour, and soil from bunds.
    • Applied to soil to stimulate beneficial microbial activity and enhance nutrient availability.
  1. Acchadana (Mulching):
    • Involves covering soil with crop residues or green cover to:
      • Reduce evaporation and weed growth.
      • Improve organic matter and prevent soil erosion.
  1. Waaphasa (Soil Aeration):
    • Refers to maintaining optimum moisture and air balance in soil.
    • Enhances microbial activity and reduces over-irrigation.

Insect and Pest Management in Natural Farming

  • Uses low-cost, farm-prepared natural pesticides, such as:
  • Agniastra: Mix of cow urine, neem leaves, green chili, garlic – effective against sucking pests.
  • Brahmastra: Fermented mix for caterpillar and larval pests.
  • Neemastra: Neem-based bio-pesticide targeting leaf-eating insects.

 

Source: https://www.downtoearth.org.in/agriculture/centre-releases-guidelines-for-setting-up-bio-resource-centres-to-aid-natural-farming-transition#google_vignette