The government has been promoting natural farming through a sub-scheme, Bharatiya Prakritik Krishi
Paddhati (BPKP), under Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY), since 2019-2020. So far, 4.09 lakh ha area has been brought under BPKP.
Department of Agriculture and Farmer Welfare (DA&FW) is undertaking large-scale training of Master Trainers, Champion Farmers and practising farmers on techniques of Natural Farming through the National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE) and the National Center of Organic and Natural Farming (NCONF). It has also sensitized the public representative like Gram-Pradhan on the technique and benefits of Natural Farming. Study material on 22 regional languages has been prepared, 697 Master Trainers have been developed on natural farming, and 997 training were conducted on natural farming for 56952 Gram Pradhans through MANAGE. In addition, the Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) has initiated research in 20 locations to validate natural farming techniques besides demonstrating in 425 KVKs to showcase the benefits of natural farming.
A Digital web portal (naturalfarming.dac.gov.in) has been launched to promote natural farming, displaying information about the implementation framework, resources, implementation progress, farmer’s registration, blog, etc.
Under BPKP, natural farming is being promoted in clusters of 500 ha and Rs. 12200.00 is provided per ha for three years, in which Rs. 2000 is provided as incentives to farmers through DBT.
Under BPKP, to facilitate the marketing of natural farming products, Rs. 2700 per ha is provided for PGS Certification and Residue Analysis for three years. Farmers can also avail assistance @ Rs. 8800/ha for 3 years from PKVY funds for marketing, value addition and publicity of natural farming products.
Natural Farming is a way of chemical-free farming based on locally available resources with no chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Farmers are encouraged to adopt Natural Farming through wide publicity through press and print media, publication of leaflets/booklets, organization of workshops, exhibitions, farmer fairs, information on State/Government of India web portals etc.
This information was given by the Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar, in a written reply in Rajya Sabha.
