NATIONAL MISSION ON NATURAL FARMING (NMNF)
1. Context
In her Budget proposals for 2024-25, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced that in the next two years, one crore farmers across the country will be initiated into natural farming supported by certification and branding. Implementation will be through scientific institutions and gram panchayats, adding that 10,000 need-based bio-input resource centres will be established.
2.What is National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF)?
- The National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) is an initiative by the Government of India aimed at promoting sustainable agricultural practices.
- Its primary focus is on encouraging natural farming methods that enhance soil health and reduce the dependence on chemical inputs. The mission seeks to provide a framework for transitioning towards farming practices that are environmentally friendly and economically viable for farmers.
- Under the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF), the government aims to encourage farmers to transition to chemical-free farming by showcasing the benefits of natural farming methods.
- The initiative seeks to foster a shift in farmer practices from chemical-based inputs to cow-based and locally-sourced inputs.
- The success of NMNF is seen as reliant on changing farmer behavior to embrace these sustainable methods.
- The natural farming program, known as ‘Bharatiya Prakritik Krishi Paddhati,’ has a budget of ₹4,645.69 crore allocated for a six-year period, from 2019-20 to 2024-25
3. What is Natural Farming?
Natural farming is an agricultural approach that emphasizes farming without the use of synthetic chemicals, fertilizers, or pesticides. Instead, it focuses on harnessing natural processes and organic inputs to enhance soil fertility, support plant health, and improve overall ecosystem sustainability.
The key principles of natural farming include:
- Natural farming relies on organic materials such as compost, manure, and green manures to nourish the soil and plants. It also incorporates natural amendments like bio-fertilizers and microbial inoculants
- The approach prioritizes practices that maintain and enhance soil health. This includes minimizing soil disturbance, promoting soil biodiversity, and using cover crops to prevent erosion and improve soil structure
- Encouraging a diverse range of crops and plant species helps create a balanced ecosystem. This diversity can lead to natural pest control and reduce the need for external inputs
- Natural farming integrates methods to manage pests and diseases without synthetic pesticides. Techniques might include crop rotation, companion planting, and the use of beneficial insects
- Some natural farming systems, such as the Bharatiya Prakritik Krishi Paddhati, emphasize the use of cow-based products like cow dung and cow urine, which are believed to enrich the soil and enhance plant growth
- The goal is to reduce reliance on external inputs, thereby lowering costs and environmental impact. This involves using locally available resources and traditional knowledge
- Natural farming views the farm as an integrated system where plants, animals, and the environment work together. This holistic approach aims to create a self-sustaining farming ecosystem
4. Challenges regarding natural farming
- Agriculture and food experts have expressed concerns about a widespread shift from chemical to natural farming in India due to its large population and the complexities of meeting its food needs.
- A recent academic paper titled "Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF): Implications for Sustainability, Profitability, and Food Security," published by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development and the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations, highlights significant differences in the results of two ZBNF studies. One study was conducted by the Centre for Economic and Social Studies (CESS) and the Institute for Development Studies Andhra Pradesh, while the other was carried out by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the Indian Institute of Farming Systems Research (IIFSR).
- The paper, authored by Sandip Das, Mahima Khurana, and Ashok Gulati, emphasizes the need for extensive long-term research before implementing natural farming on a national scale. It explores the mixed results from these studies, showing varying opinions on ZBNF.
- Andhra Pradesh is noted for its successful adoption of ZBNF, showing promising results. However, the IIFSR study raises concerns about the method’s sustainability and productivity.
- For example, the CESS study indicates that the reduced cost of biological inputs under ZBNF has led to increased crop yields and farmer incomes, enhancing food and nutritional security for those using this method.
- In contrast, the ICAR-IIFSR study reports a 59% reduction in wheat yields and a 32% drop in basmati rice yields compared to traditional crop management, which could negatively impact food supply
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Sri Lanka's Case Study
Before undertaking a large-scale shift from chemical to natural farming, it is crucial to conduct thorough studies and evaluations. A recent example is Sri Lanka, which experienced significant economic and political instability after opting for a complete switch to organic farming and banning chemical fertilizer imports. This policy change led to severe consequences, as farmers struggled to obtain natural fertilizers and saw declines in the yields of essential crops like rice, jeopardizing the country's food security. The resulting rise in prices triggered widespread protests and unrest
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5. Way Forward
M.S. Sidhu, a prominent economist and former professor at Punjab Agricultural University in Ludhiana, argues that while natural farming may be advantageous on a localized scale, implementing it widely in a densely populated country like India could be problematic. He points out that food security is a critical issue and suggests that if natural farming were adopted for staple cereals, it would only be sufficient to feed about one-third of the population. Given that wheat and rice are essential staples, relying on natural farming for these crops could lead to reduced yields, making it impractical without thorough scientific research on crop productivity
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For Prelims: Bt Cotton, High Yielding Varieties (HYV), Green Revolution
For Mains: 1.The Green Revolution is often credited with increasing agricultural productivity in India. However, it has also faced criticism for its environmental and social repercussions. Analyze the positive and negative aspects of the Green Revolution and its long-term sustainability
2.Critically evaluate the impact of the Green Revolution on income distribution among farmers in India. Has it contributed to income inequality within the agricultural sector? Provide examples and data to support your analysis
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Previous Year Questions
1.Which one of the following most appropriately describes the nature of Green Revolution of the late sixties of 20th century? (BPSC CCE 2015)
A.Intensive cultivation of green vegetable
B.Intensive agriculture district programme
C.High-yielding varieties programme
D.Seed-Fertilizer-Water technology
E.None of the above/More than one of the above
Answer (E)
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Source: The Hindu
