{"id":32772,"date":"2024-11-26T18:58:49","date_gmt":"2024-11-26T13:28:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/?p=32772"},"modified":"2024-11-26T18:58:51","modified_gmt":"2024-11-26T13:28:51","slug":"national-mission-on-natural-farming-nmnf","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/26-11-2024\/national-mission-on-natural-farming-nmnf","title":{"rendered":"National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF)\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/Agriculture<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Union Cabinet announced <strong>National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF)<\/strong> as a standalone Centre-sponsored scheme under the<strong> Ministry of Agriculture &amp; Farmers\u2019 Welfare.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Background<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>2019:<\/strong> Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) was renamed Bhartiya Prakritik Krishi Paddhti (BPKP) and integrated as a sub-scheme under the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>2023-24: <\/strong>BPKP was further renamed as National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF).\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Under BPKP the financial assistance was provided for 3 years @ Rs. 12,200\/ha.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Need<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>There is a need to improve the quality of soil and maintain the health of the people with chemical-free food.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Mission is designed to support farmers to reduce input cost of cultivation and dependency to externally purchased inputs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>To scientifically revive and strengthen agriculture practices towards sustainability, climate resilience and healthy food.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Major Highlights of the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Aim: <\/strong>To promote natural farming among one-crore farmers across the country.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Cluster-Based Approach: <\/strong>Targeting 15,000 clusters in Gram Panchayats allows for focused implementation and better resource allocation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Bio-Input Resource Centers (BRCs):<\/strong> Establishing 10,000 BRCs will ensure easy access to essential bio-inputs, making it convenient for farmers to adopt natural farming practices.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Model Demonstration Farms: <\/strong>2000 NF Model Demonstration Farms<strong> <\/strong>shall be established at Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), Agricultural Universities (AUs) and farmers\u2019 fields.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>They shall be supported by experienced and <strong>trained Farmer Master Trainers.\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Certification and Market Access: <\/strong>A simplified certification system and dedicated branding will facilitate market access for natural farming products.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Natural Farming<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Natural farming is an approach to agriculture that emphasizes working with <strong>nature&#8217;s processes to grow crops<\/strong> in a sustainable and holistic way.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It follows<strong> local agro-ecological principles<\/strong> rooted in indigenous knowledge, location-specific technologies, and adaptations to local agro-ecology.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>One of the central ideas of natural farming is to <strong>minimize reliance on external inputs<\/strong> and create a system that can sustain itself over the long term.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Key practices of natural farming include:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Minimal Soil Disturbance;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Use of Organic Inputs;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Biodiversity and Polyculture;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Water Conservation;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Natural methods to manage pests;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Synthetic fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides are avoided.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Natural Vs. Organic Farming<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Natural farming<\/strong> emphasizes minimal intervention with nature, avoiding tilling, fertilizers, and even weeding.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It focuses on creating self-sustaining ecosystems with little to no external inputs, trusting nature to maintain soil health and manage pests.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Organic farming<\/strong> follows specific certification standards that prohibit synthetic chemicals and genetically modified organisms (GMOs).\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It allows the use of organic fertilizers, pesticides, and tilling.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It tends to be more structured and regulated than natural farming.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Benefits of Natural Farming<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Environmental Sustainability:<\/strong> It helps protect soil health, reduces pollution, and supports biodiversity.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Resilience to Climate Change:<\/strong> Natural farming promotes agricultural practices that can adapt to changing climates, such as drought-tolerant crops and sustainable water use.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Healthier Food: <\/strong>Food produced without chemical fertilizers and pesticides is considered safer and more nutritious.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Economic Benefits:<\/strong> Over time, natural farming can reduce costs related to chemical inputs and increase the resilience of farms, potentially leading to higher yields.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Challenges<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Learning Local Ecosystem:<\/strong> It requires a deep understanding of local ecosystems, which can take time to learn and apply effectively.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Labor-Intensive: <\/strong>In the transition period, natural farming is more labor-intensive and initially produces lower yields compared to conventional farming.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Market Demand: <\/strong>Although organic products are gaining popularity, natural farming does not always meet mainstream market expectations or certification standards.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Government Initiatives<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY): <\/strong>The promotion of drip and sprinkler irrigation systems under this program can be adapted to natural farming practices.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Soil Health Card Scheme:<\/strong> Launched in 2015, this initiative provides farmers with soil health cards that offer detailed information about the nutrient content and pH levels of their soil.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA):\u00a0 <\/strong>Launched in 2014, encourages the adoption of sustainable farming techniques, including natural farming, to improve soil health, conserve water, and enhance productivity.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>National Organic Farming Research Institute (NOFRI): <\/strong>\u00a0It focuses on improving soil health, developing organic farming technologies, and promoting sustainable agricultural practices.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>States Practicing:<\/strong> There are several states practicing Natural Farming.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Prominent among them are Andhra Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Kerala, Jharkhand, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Way Ahead<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Government is increasingly recognizing the importance of natural farming in addressing environmental challenges, improving farmer incomes, and ensuring food security.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>These efforts, when combined with local farmer participation and state-level innovation, hold great promise for the future of sustainable agriculture in India.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/india\/cabinet-nod-to-rs-2481-crore-natural-farming-mission-9690269\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>IE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Union Cabinet announced National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) as a standalone Centre-sponsored scheme under the Ministry of Agriculture &#038; Farmers\u2019 Welfare.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-32772","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-current-affairs"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32772","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=32772"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32772\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":32773,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32772\/revisions\/32773"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=32772"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=32772"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=32772"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}