{"id":59548,"date":"2025-11-20T19:27:20","date_gmt":"2025-11-20T13:57:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/?p=59548"},"modified":"2025-11-21T13:27:02","modified_gmt":"2025-11-21T07:57:02","slug":"india-natural-farming-hub","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/20-11-2025\/india-natural-farming-hub","title":{"rendered":"India Becoming A Hub of Natural Farming"},"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>Recently, the Prime Minister of India, at<strong> South India Natural Farming Summit in Tamil Nadu<\/strong>, declared that India is poised to become a <strong>global hub for natural farming<\/strong>, emphasizing its alignment with <strong>traditional wisdom, scientific innovation, and sustainable development.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#ebecf0\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Highlights of South India Natural Farming Summit<\/strong><br>&#8211; The Prime Minister of India described <strong>natural farming as India\u2019s indigenous idea<\/strong>, rooted in tradition and suited to the environment.<br>&#8211; He emphasized making natural farming a <strong>science-backed movement,<\/strong> integrating traditional wisdom with modern research.<br>&#8211; Adoption of <strong>\u2018One Acre, One Season\u2019 model<\/strong>, as practicing natural farming on one acre for one season to experience its benefits.<br><strong>Major Announcements<\/strong><br>&#8211; PM Modi released the <strong>21st instalment of PM-KISAN<\/strong>, transferring \u20b918,000 crore to 9 crore farmers across India.<br>1. <strong>\u20b94 lakh crore<\/strong> has been directly transferred to <strong>small farmers\u2019 accounts<\/strong>, enhancing <strong>agricultural resilience and financial inclusion<\/strong> till date.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About Natural Farming<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It is a<strong> chemical-free agricultural method<\/strong> that relies on <strong>locally available resources<\/strong> such as cow dung, cow urine, biomass mulch, and indigenous seeds.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It <strong>avoids synthetic fertilizers and pesticides<\/strong>, focusing instead on soil regeneration, biodiversity, and ecological balance.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>According to the<strong> NITI Aayog<\/strong>, Natural Farming is considered as an agroecology based diversified farming system which integrates crops, trees and livestock with functional biodiversity.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>According to the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/26-11-2024\/national-mission-on-natural-farming-nmnf\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/26-11-2024\/national-mission-on-natural-farming-nmnf\">National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF),<\/a><\/strong> the approach integrates livestock, diversified cropping systems, and traditional knowledge to restore soil health and reduce input costs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Pillars of Natural farming:&nbsp;<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Jivamrita &amp; Ghanjivamrita;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Bijamrita;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Mulching and use of botanicals for plant protection;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Wahpsa.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#fff2cc\"><tbody><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\" colspan=\"3\"><strong>Natural vs. Organic Farming<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>Feature<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Natural Farming<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Organic Farming<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>External Inputs<\/strong><\/td><td>No external inputs allowed<\/td><td>Certified organic inputs permitted<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>Fertilizers &amp; Pesticides<\/strong><\/td><td>Uses cow dung, urine, biomass mulch<\/td><td>Uses compost, biofertilizers, neem-based pesticides<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>Soil Amendments<\/strong><\/td><td>No mined minerals or supplements<\/td><td>Allows natural minerals like rock phosphate<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>Seed Use<\/strong><\/td><td>Indigenous, untreated seeds<\/td><td>Organic-certified seeds preferred<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Related Challenges and Concerns<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Yield Uncertainty:<\/strong> Studies show mixed results\u2014some report equal or better yields, others note initial drops, especially in high-demand crops.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Lack of Awareness and Training:<\/strong> Many farmers are unfamiliar with natural farming techniques and require extensive capacity building.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Market Access and Certification: <\/strong>Absence of formal certification systems makes it hard for farmers to command premium prices.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Transition Period: <\/strong>Shifting from conventional to natural farming involves a learning curve and temporary yield fluctuations.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Scientific Validation:<\/strong> More long-term, region-specific studies are needed to validate its effectiveness across diverse agro-climatic zones.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Key Efforts and Initiatives Related to Natural Farming<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF): <\/strong>It is a <strong>centrally sponsored scheme<\/strong> focused on chemical-free farming using local livestock, diversified cropping, and traditional knowledge.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>\u20b92,481 crore (\u20b91,584 crore from the Centre; \u20b9897 crore from States) till 2025\u201326.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>NITI Aayog\u2019s Natural Farming Initiative:<\/strong> It promotes natural farming for doubling farmers\u2019 income and restoring soil health.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It encourages reduction in chemical fertilizer use and supports community-led campaigns like <strong>\u2018Muktikar Abhiyan\u2019.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>State-Level Programs:<\/strong> Andhra Pradesh is integrating natural farming into its <strong>Swarnandhra Vision, <\/strong>emphasizing soil cover, crop diversity, and botanical pest management.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Kerala, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Himachal Pradesh have adopted similar models under <strong>Bharatiya Prakritik Krishi Paddhati (BPKP).<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Other Efforts &amp; Initiatives<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Kisan Credit Card (KCC) Scheme: <\/strong>Farmers have received assistance<strong> exceeding \u20b910 lakh crore<\/strong> in 2025 alone<strong>.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Reduction in GST on bio-fertilizers:<\/strong> It has provided further economic relief to cultivators.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Integration of Millets and Natural Farming<\/strong>: Describing millets as a <strong>superfood<\/strong> with global potential.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Promoting Multi-Crop and Integrated Farming Models:<\/strong><strong> <\/strong>In states like Kerala and Karnataka, farmers cultivate <strong>coconut, areca nut, fruits, spices, and black pepper<\/strong> on the same land\u2014an embodiment of natural farming\u2019s philosophy.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/news\/cities\/Coimbatore\/pm-narendra-modi-coimbatore-visit-south-india-natural-farming-summit-november-19-2025\/article70298336.ece\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source: TH<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><strong>Context<\/strong><\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">Recently, the Prime Minister of India, at South India Natural Farming Summit in Tamil Nadu, declared that India is poised to become a global hub for natural farming, emphasizing its alignment with traditional wisdom, scientific innovation, and sustainable development.<\/li>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><strong>About Natural Farming<\/strong><\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">It is a chemical-free agricultural method that relies on locally available resources such as cow dung, cow urine, biomass mulch, and indigenous seeds.<\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">It avoids synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, focusing instead on soil regeneration, biodiversity, and ecological balance.<\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">According to the NITI Aayog, Natural Farming is considered as an agroecology based diversified farming system which integrates crops, trees and livestock with functional biodiversity.<\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">According to the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF), the approach integrates livestock, diversified cropping systems, and traditional knowledge to restore soil health and reduce input costs.<\/li>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/20-11-2025\/india-natural-farming-hub\" class=\"btn btn-primary btn-sm float-end\">Read\u00a0More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-59548","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\/59548","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\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=59548"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/59548\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":59588,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/59548\/revisions\/59588"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=59548"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=59548"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=59548"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}