The Union Cupboard on Monday (November 25) permitted the launch of the Nationwide Mission on Pure Farming (NMNF) as a standalone Centrally Sponsored Scheme beneath the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare. The NMNF goals to advertise pure farming in mission mode throughout the nation.
The Agriculture Ministry defines pure farming as a “chemical-free” farming system that solely makes use of inputs produced utilizing livestock and plant assets. The ministry plans to implement this primary throughout the districts with excessive fertiliser consumption.
Is the NMNF a brand new initiative?
No. The proposed NMNF is an enchancment of the Bhartiya Prakritik Krishi Paddhti (BPKP) launched by the NDA authorities in its second time period (2019-24). The initiative was launched beneath an umbrella scheme of Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojna (PKVY). The Centre additionally promoted pure farming in a five-kilometre belt alongside the Ganga River beneath the Namami Gange scheme within the monetary yr 2022-23.
The NDA’s return to energy in June after the Lok Sabha elections noticed a renewed concentrate on selling pure farming, with the federal government launching the NMNF within the first 100 days. The federal government determined to upscale the expertise gained from the BPKP right into a mission mode by way of the NMNF.
In her Funds Speech on July 23, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman introduced a plan to provoke one crore farmers countrywide into pure farming within the subsequent two years. “Within the subsequent two years, 1 crore farmers throughout the nation will likely be initiated into pure farming supported by certification and branding. Implementation will likely be by way of scientific establishments and prepared gram panchayats. 10,000 need-based bio-input useful resource centres will likely be established,” she introduced.
In his Independence Day speech, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his gratitude to the farmers who had embraced pure farming for taking up “the accountability of environmental conservation.”
How a lot space has been lined beneath pure farming up to now?
An general space of twenty-two lakh hectares has been introduced beneath pure farming up to now, with 34 lakh farmers engaged within the observe. This contains 4 lakh hectares beneath BPKP and 88,000 hectares beneath Namami Gange. About 17 lakh hectares are lined beneath numerous state authorities initiatives to advertise pure farming.
The NMNF mission goals to carry a further 7.5 lakh hectares of space beneath pure farming. In accordance with the assertion, “Within the subsequent two years, NMNF will likely be applied in 15,000 clusters in Gram Panchayats, that are prepared, & attain 1 crore farmers and provoke Pure Farming (NF) in 7.5 lakh Ha space. Desire will likely be given to areas having prevalence of practising NF farmers, SRLM / PACS / FPOs, and many others. Additional, need-based 10,000 Bio-input Useful resource Centres (BRCs) will likely be set-up to offer straightforward availability and accessibility to ready-to-use NF inputs for farmers.
How is the mission totally different from the sooner interventions?
The pure farming mission is totally different from the sooner initiatives in a number of methods. First, it has a better budgetary outlay. Second, it targets over one crore farmers. Furthermore, it goals to create an ecosystem for sustainable pure farming within the nation. It additionally goals to ascertain “scientifically supported frequent requirements and straightforward farmer pleasant certification procedures for naturally grown chemical free produce.” It additionally envisages a single nationwide model for naturally grown chemical-free produce.
In accordance with an official assertion, the scheme has a complete outlay of Rs. 2,481 crore of which the central authorities will contribute Rs.1584 crore and the states Rs.897 crore) until the fifteenth Finance Fee (2025-26).
“Below NMNF, round 2000 NF Mannequin Demonstration Farms shall be established at Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), Agricultural Universities (AUs) and farmers’ fields, and shall be supported by skilled and skilled Farmer Grasp Trainers. The prepared farmers will likely be skilled in Mannequin Demonstration Farms on the NF bundle of practices, preparation of NF inputs, and many others. close to their villages in KVKs, AUs and practising NF farmers’ fields. 18.75 lakh skilled prepared farmers will put together inputs like Jeevamrit, Beejamrit, and many others. by utilizing their livestock or procure from BRCs. 30,000 Krishi Sakhis/ CRPs will likely be deployed for consciousness technology, mobilisation and handholding of prepared farmers within the clusters,” it stated.
Why a mission on pure farming?
The mission to advertise pure farming goals to fight the extreme use of fertilisers.
In accordance with sources, the Agriculture Ministry has recognized 228 districts throughout 16 states—Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and West Bengal— with enter (fertiliser) gross sales above the all-India common (138 kg/hectare) throughout 2022-23. In distinction, the variety of farmers practising pure farming was minimal in these districts. Thus, the ministry will concentrate on districts with excessive chemical fertiliser gross sales (above 200 kg/ hectares), other than the Namami Gange area (5 kg space) alongside the principle stem of river Ganga.
In accordance with the official assertion, “Pure Farming practices will assist farmers to cut back enter price of cultivation and dependency on externally bought inputs whereas rejuvenating soil well being, fertility & high quality and constructing resilience to local weather dangers like waterlogging, flood, drought, and many others.”
“These practices additionally cut back well being dangers from publicity to fertilisers, pesticides, and many others. and supply wholesome & nutritious meals for the farmers’ household. Additional, by way of Pure Farming, a wholesome Mom Earth is bequeathed to the long run generations. By enchancment of soil carbon content material & water use effectivity, there is a rise in soil microorganisms and biodiversity in NF,” it stated.
