Context:
The Government of India has launched the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF)
National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF):
- Objective – To promote natural farming in mission mode across the country
- Type – Centrally Sponsored Scheme
- Ministry – Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare
- Key Highlights of the Scheme –
- Implementation – The scheme will be implemented in 15,000 clusters within willing Gram Panchayats, aiming to reach 1 crore farmers and initiate Natural Farming (NF) across 7.5 lakh hectares over the next two years.
- Areas with a higher prevalence of NF farmers will be given preference.
- Bio-input Resource Centres (BRCs) – A total of 10,000 need-based centres will be established to ensure farmers have easy access to ready-to-use inputs.
- Model Demonstration Farms – These will be set up at Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), Agricultural Universities (AUs), and farmers’ fields to provide training to willing farmers.
- Awareness Generation – Mobilisation and support for willing farmers will be facilitated through Krishi Sakhi.
- Certification – The scheme includes a simple certification system and a dedicated common branding to improve market access.
- Monitoring – Implementation will be monitored in real-time using geo-tagged and referenced data through an online portal.
- Convergence – Efforts will be made to align with existing schemes and support structures.
Natural farming:
- A chemical-free farming system with an understanding of ecology, resource recycling, and on-farm resource optimization.
- It aims at restoring soil health, maintaining diversity, ensuring animal welfare, stressing on efficient use of natural/local resources, and promoting ecological fairness.
- Originally introduced by – Agriculturist Subhash Palekar
- Promotes low-cost inputs such as the use of Cow dung, aged cow urine, jaggery, pulse flour and other plant-based extracts.
- 4 Pillars –
- Bijamrit – It is the microbial coating of seeds with formulations of cow urine and cow dung.
- Jivamrit – It is the enhancement of soil microbes using a mixture of cow dung, cow urine and jaggery.
- Acchadana (Mulching) – It is the covering soil with crops or crops residue.
- Waaphasa – It is the building up of soil humus to increase soil aeration.
- Insect and pest management methods – Agniastra, Brahmastra and Neemastra.
Read more about Krishi Sakhi Convergence Program, AgriSURE Fund | Krishi Nivesh Portal
Source: PIB
Previous Year Question
The “Miyawaki method” is well known for the:
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2022 Prelims]
(a) Promotion of commercial farming in arid and semi-arid areas
(b) Development of gardens using genetically modified flora
(c) Creation of mini forests in urban areas
(d) Harvesting wind energy on coastal areas and on sea surfaces
Answer: (c)