National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) is a standalone Centrally Sponsored Scheme of the Government of India under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare. The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved it on 25 November 2024. Operational guidelines were circulated on 26 December 2024.
It is the 2024 “mission-mode” upgrade of earlier natural-farming work — chiefly Bharatiya Prakritik Krishi Paddhati (BPKP) under Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) — and is designed to pull 1 crore farmers into chemical-free, livestock-integrated, local agro-ecology farming on 7.5 lakh hectares, through 15,000 Gram Panchayat clusters.
For a blog, this is a high-viability topic: Budget 2024–25 promise, Cabinet decision, UPSC staple, farmer-search volume (login, subsidy, BRC, Krishi Sakhi), and a live official portal.
Wiki / Quick Facts
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Full name | National Mission on Natural Farming |
| Short name | NMNF |
| Hindi | राष्ट्रीय प्राकृतिक खेती मिशन |
| Type | Standalone Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) |
| Parent ministry | Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare |
| Departments | Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare (DA&FW) + DARE / ICAR for research |
| Nodal division | Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) — Natural Farming Cell |
| Cabinet approval | 25 November 2024 |
| Guidelines issued | 26 December 2024 |
| Finance Commission window | Till 15th FC / March 2026 (first phase as approved) |
| Total outlay | ₹2,481 crore (Centre ₹1,584 cr + States ₹897 cr) |
| Funding pattern | 60:40 (most states); 90:10 (NE & Himalayan states); 100% Centre for UTs without legislature (as per CSS norms) |
| Predecessor | BPKP (under PKVY, ~2020–21 to 2022–23) + Ganga-corridor / state NF pilots |
| Area target | 7.5 lakh ha |
| Cluster target | 15,000 clusters (~50 ha, ~125 farmers, max 1 acre incentive per farmer in current guidelines) |
| Farmer outreach target | 1 crore farmers (awareness / initiation) |
| BRCs | 10,000 Bio-input Resource Centres (need-based) |
| Model farms | ~2,000 planned (KVKs, AUs, farmers’ fields); ~1,100 reported developed by mid-2025 |
| Krishi Sakhis / CRPs | 30,000 to be deployed (2 per cluster); 70,000+ already trained on soil health & NF (PIB, March/Aug 2025) |
| Farmer incentive (current NMNF) | ₹4,000 per acre per year for 2 years (up to 1 acre / farmer) — output / practice-linked |
| Older BPKP figure (do not mix) | ₹15,000 per ha per year for 3 years (on-farm input infrastructure; earlier NMNF/BPKP notes) |
| Certification | Simple, farmer-friendly; PGS-India via NCONF, Ghaziabad |
| Brand | Single national brand for naturally grown, chemical-free produce (guidelines) |
| Monitoring | Geo-tagged online portal |
| Official portals | naturalfarming.dac.gov.in · nmnfresearch.in · nconf.dac.gov.in · naturalfarming.niti.gov.in |
| Status (PIB Aug 2025) | 10 lakh+ farmers enrolled; AAPs of 33 States/UTs approved; FY 2024–25 release cited ₹177.78 lakh early in rollout |
What is NMNF?
Natural Farming, as the ministry defines it, is chemical-free farming that uses on-farm biological inputs (livestock — preferably desi cow — plants, biomass) and diversified cropping, following local agro-ecology, not a one-size national recipe.
It is not the same as certified organic (which often allows purchased organic fertilisers and a third-party audit). NF stresses Jeevamrit, Beejamrit, Ghanjeevamrit, mulching, multi-cropping, no/low till, and no synthetic fertiliser / pesticide / herbicide.
NMNF’s job is to make that transition a mass movement (jan bhagidari) with:
- clusters and Krishi Sakhis on the ground
- BRCs so a farmer who has no cattle can still buy ready bio-inputs
- model farms and ICAR/KVK science
- a light certification + one brand so produce can be sold at a premium
- a geo-tagged MIS so states cannot only claim paper clusters
History (how 2024 happened)
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 2015–16 | PKVY launched — first big Central organic programme |
| 2019–20 / 2020–21 | BPKP (Bharatiya Prakritik Krishi Paddhati) under PKVY; Andhra APCNF, HP PK3, Gujarat cow-linked subsidies already running |
| 2022–23 | Ministry talks of scaling NF; portal naturalfarming.dac.gov.in; MANAGE + NCONF master-trainer drives; older notes spoke of 15,000 clusters / 7.5 lakh ha and ₹15,000/ha |
| Union Budget 2024–25 | FM announces initiation of 1 crore farmers into natural farming in two years |
| 25 Nov 2024 | Cabinet approves standalone NMNF (within ~100 days of the new government) |
| 26 Dec 2024 | Operational guidelines to states; comments window; MANAGE workshop with JS (INM) |
| FY 2024–25 | State Annual Action Plans; first fund releases; CoNF trainings |
| Mar–Aug 2025 | PIB: 33 AAPs approved; 70,000+ Krishi Sakhis trained; 10 lakh+ farmers enrolled; ~1,100 model farms |
| 2025–26 | Competitive Research Grants via ICAR-IIFSR / nmnfresearch.in; second CRG call into March 2026 |
Objectives (as in operational guidelines / PIB)
- Promote nature-based systems; on-farm bio-inputs; cut bought-in chemical cost; improve soil health.
- Popularise livestock-integrated (preferably local cow) farm–animal models.
- Strengthen agro-ecological research & extension in ICAR, KVKs, Agricultural Universities.
- Blend practising NF farmers’ field knowledge with science into location-specific packages of practices.
- Common scientific standards + easy farmer-friendly certification.
- Create and promote a single national brand for chemical-free natural produce.
How the scheme is built (components)
1. Clusters
- 15,000 willing Gram Panchayats.
- Contiguous ~50 hectares, about 125 farmers.
- New members can join at the start of each crop season.
- Priority: already-practising NF villages, SRLM / PACS / FPO presence, Namami Gange 5 km corridor, river-bank districts, both high- and low-fertiliser districts (guidelines).
2. Bio-input Resource Centres (BRCs) — 10,000
Village / block units that brew and sell Jeevamrit, Beejamrit, etc. Can be run by practising farmers, PACS, FPOs, SHGs, rural entrepreneurs.
3. Model demonstration farms (~2,000)
On KVKs, SAUs/ICAR stations and farmers’ fields. Hands-on training for CRPs and neighbours. PIB (Aug 2025): ~1,100 already developed; 806 training institutes engaged.
4. People
- 2 Krishi Sakhis / CRPs per cluster to mobilise ~125 farmers.
- Master trainers via MANAGE (Hyderabad) and NCONF.
- Students via RAWE and dedicated UG / PG / diploma NF courses.
5. Money to the farmer
Current NMNF (PIB / later explainers): ₹4,000 per acre / year × 2 years, capped at 1 acre, for practising NF, training, livestock upkeep, input prep. Practice-linked — default and you lose later instalments.
Do not confuse with the older BPKP / 2023 NMNF line of ₹15,000 per hectare per year for three years for on-farm input infrastructure. Always quote the latest state AAP / guideline PDF.
6. Certification & brand
NCONF implements a simplified PGS-India natural-farming certification. Guidelines promise one national NF brand (still being operationalised — treat as policy intent until a logo/SKU is notified).
7. Research
Competitive Research Grants (typically < ₹15 lakh preferred, ceiling ₹50 lakh / 2 years) through ICAR-IIFSR, Modipuram. Eligible: SAUs, ICAR, recognised institutes, NGOs, FPOs/PACS partnered with research bodies.
8. Markets (convergence, not a new mandi)
Local haats, APMC, depots, FPO shops; livestock schemes; Gobardhan; fodder stations / cattle breeding farms for model dairy-NF units.
Governance
| Body | Role |
|---|---|
| National Steering Committee (NSC) | Policy, direction, review — chaired at MoA&FW / Minister level |
| National Executive Committee (NEC) | Implementation, sanctions, mid-course changes |
| Natural Farming Cell | Day-to-day mission — headed by Joint Secretary (INM), DA&FW |
| State / District / Block committees | Cluster selection, AAP, farm-level indicators |
| ICAR-IIFSR, Modipuram | Model-farm science + CRG portal |
Workshop records (Dec 2024) name Dr. Yogita Rana, IAS, then JS (INM), as a key national face of the rollout. Confirm the current JS (INM) on agriwelfare.gov.in before you put a name in a “who’s who” box.
Natural farming vs organic vs ZBNF (for your readers)
| Natural Farming (NMNF) | Organic (PKVY / PGS / NPOP) | ZBNF (Subhash Palekar school) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bought fertiliser | No synthetics; prefer on-farm bio-inputs | Allowed if certified organic | “Zero budget” ideal — no bought inputs |
| Livestock | Central, preferably desi cow | Optional | Cow central |
| Certification | Simplified PGS-NF | PGS or third-party NPOP | Not a legal standard by itself |
| Brand | One national NF brand (planned) | Jaivik Bharat / private labels | State / APCNF brands |
NMNF includes ZBNF-type practices but is broader and location-specific.
Progress snapshot (official)
- Cabinet: 25 Nov 2024. Guidelines: 26 Dec 2024.
- 33 State/UT AAPs approved (PIB 28 Mar 2025).
- Early FY 2024–25 release: ₹177.78 lakh (same PIB — rollout year, not the full ₹2,481 cr).
- 70,021 Krishi Sakhis trained on soil health & NF.
- By July/Aug 2025 (PIB explainer): 10 lakh+ farmers enrolled, 1,100 model farms, 806 training institutes.
- ICAR network (~20 institutes) on Packages of Practices; KVKs to out-scale from Rabi.
Reality check (why “potentially viable” is the right phrase):
Natural farming cuts cash cost and can improve soil carbon and climate resilience. Yields in the first 2–3 seasons can dip if the soil was on heavy NPK. Scientists have flagged nutrient-balance questions if livestock and biomass are scarce. NMNF tries to solve that with BRCs + 1-acre pilots + science PoPs, not a sudden nationwide chemical ban. Andhra APCNF, HP PK3 and Gujarat cow schemes are the proof-of-concept states PIB itself cites.
Who can apply / how to join
- Be a farmer (including small & marginal) in a willing GP selected by the State.
- Enrol in the cluster at season start via the village Krishi Sakhi / agriculture department / naturalfarming.dac.gov.in (farmer registration).
- Commit to NF practices; incentive is not a freebie for staying on urea.
- Prepare Jeevamrit / Beejamrit at home or buy from a BRC.
- For BRC / FPO / PACS units — apply through the State Nodal Officer (NMNF) in the agriculture department.
- Researchers — nmnfresearch.in CRG calls.
There is no central “NMNF app-only” private vendor. Ignore WhatsApp agents asking for registration fees.
Interesting facts
- Announced as a 100-day deliverable after the 2024 government formation.
- PIB calls it a restructured BPKP, not a brand-new idea.
- Ganga 5 km belt is a named priority — chemical-load politics + Namami Gange.
- Two Krishi Sakhis per 125 farmers is the last-mile design (SHG + Anganwadi + Gram Sabha).
- Desi cow is preferred, not mandatory in every line of the guideline — livestock integration is.
- Students get NF through RAWE and new degree/diploma courses.
- One national brand is written into objectives — watch for a logo notification.
- Early fund release (₹1.78 crore) vs ₹2,481 crore outlay shows a slow first-year tap.
- Leading state models named by PIB: Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Himachal, Gujarat, UP, Kerala.
- Do not mix PKVY organic numbers (₹2,170 cr released till Dec 2024) with NMNF.
Criticism & debates (keep it factual)
- Yield risk in the transition years; some agronomists want more multi-location RCTs before large area claims.
- Cow-centric framing is culturally loaded; biomass and microbial consortia matter as much as cattle.
- ₹4,000/acre is modest next to fertiliser subsidy — the scheme sells cost-saving, not a fat DBT.
- Certification / brand still thinner than NPOP export organic.
- Implementation quality will vary by whether the Krishi Sakhi is real or a muster-roll.
None of this makes the topic unpublishable; it makes a balanced StarsUnfolded box stronger than a press-release rewrite.
Contact details (official + SERP)
1) Mission / ministry (New Delhi)
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Office | Natural Farming Cell, INM Division, Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare |
| Address | Krishi Bhawan, Dr Rajendra Prasad Road, New Delhi – 110 001 |
| Ministry EPABX / listed | 011-23389340 · DA&FW room listings also show 011-23385093 |
| Union Minister (Agri) | Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan — 011-23383370 / 23782691 · agrimin.india@gmail.com · Fax 23384129 · Room 120, Krishi Bhawan |
| MoS | Shri Bhagirath Choudhary — 011-23782343 / 23388165 · Room 199Q |
| MoS | Shri Ram Nath Thakur (replies on NMNF in Parliament) — 011-23383975 / 23383976 · Room 322 |
| Website | https://agriwelfare.gov.in |
| NMNF implementation portal | https://naturalfarming.dac.gov.in/ |
| NITI knowledge site | https://naturalfarming.niti.gov.in/ |
| Guidelines PDF (MANAGE host) | manage.gov.in/nf/NMNF-Guidelines.pdf |
Ask the INM / Natural Farming Cell for the JS (INM) personal section; do not invent a secretary@ email.
2) ICAR research & model farms
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Nodal | ICAR–Indian Institute of Farming Systems Research (IIFSR) |
| Address | Modipuram, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh (NRM Division, ICAR) |
| nmnf.nrm@gmail.com | |
| Portal | https://nmnfresearch.in/ |
3) Certification — NCONF / PGS-India
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Office | National Centre for Organic and Natural Farming (NCONF) |
| Address | 19, Hapur Road, Near CBI Academy, Kamla Nehru Nagar, Ghaziabad – 201 002, Uttar Pradesh |
| Phone | 0120-2764906, 0120-2764212 |
| Fax | 0120-2764901 |
| nbdc@nic.in · PGS helpdesk: helpdesk-pgsindia@gov.in | |
| Web | nconf.dac.gov.in · pgsindia-ncof.gov.in |
Regional Centres (RCONF)
| Zone | Address | Phone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| North (HQ) | NCONF building, Hapur Road, Ghaziabad – 201002 | 0120-2764212 | rcofhq.gzbagri@gov.in |
| West & Central | Amravati Road, NH-6, Gondkhairy, Wadi, Nagpur – 440023 | 080-28450503 (as listed on PGS zonal page — reconfirm) | biofmh10@nic.in |
| South | Kannamangala Cross, Doddabanahalli Rd, Bengaluru – 560115 | 080-28450503 | biofkk06@nic.in |
| East | Plot 23(P), Khandagiri–Chandaka Rd, Ghatikia, Bhubaneswar – 751029 | 0674-2721281 | biofor04@nic.in |
| North-East | Langol Road, Lamphelpat, Imphal – 795004 | 0385-2950914 | biofmn01@nic.in |
4) Training — MANAGE
National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad. NMNF guideline PDF and Dec 2024 national workshop hosted here: manage.gov.in.
5) Farmer last mile
District Deputy Director of Agriculture / ATMA / KVK + State NMNF Nodal Officer (agriculture department). Enrolment is state-cluster, not a Delhi form.
Social media & web (SERP)
| Platform | Handle / URL | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| NMNF portal | naturalfarming.dac.gov.in | Registration, progress, resources |
| Research portal | nmnfresearch.in | Model farms + CRG |
| NITI NF | naturalfarming.niti.gov.in | Knowledge / state pages |
| Ministry site | agriwelfare.gov.in | Parent |
| facebook.com/agriGoI | Official MoA&FW · agrigoi2019@gmail.com | |
| X / Twitter | Search @AgriGoI / ministry handle on agriwelfare.gov.in | Ministry, not a separate @NMNF verified as of research |
| PIB | pib.gov.in PR 2077094 (launch) · PR 2116215 · PR 2204752 · Explainer Note 155019 | Cite these, not WhatsApp PDFs |
| YouTube | Ministry of Agriculture / PIB India channels | Search “National Mission on Natural Farming Cabinet” |
There is no widely verified standalone Instagram “NMNF official” in SERPs. Use ministry handles.
FAQs
Q. When was NMNF launched?
Cabinet approval 25 November 2024; guidelines 26 December 2024.
Q. Is it a Central Sector or Centrally Sponsored scheme?
Centrally Sponsored — states put in money (60:40 or 90:10).
Q. How much money does a farmer get?
Under the 2024 NMNF as explained by PIB: ₹4,000/acre/year for two years, max 1 acre, if they actually practise NF. Older articles still quote ₹15,000/ha × 3 years from BPKP — label that as legacy.
Q. NMNF vs PKVY?
PKVY = organic. NMNF = natural / prakritik, livestock-and-on-farm-input heavy. NMNF is BPKP spun out as its own mission.
Q. Official login?
https://naturalfarming.dac.gov.in/ — plus state agri portals.
Q. Who certifies the produce?
NCONF / PGS-India, Ghaziabad (and regional centres).
Suggested CMS meta
- Title: National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) 2024 – Budget, Eligibility, ₹4000 Incentive, Portal & Contact
- Slug:
/national-mission-on-natural-farming-nmnf-scheme - Meta description: StarsUnfolded-style guide to NMNF: Cabinet 25 Nov 2024, ₹2,481 crore, 1 crore farmers, 15,000 clusters, ₹4,000/acre, BRC, Krishi Sakhi, naturalfarming.dac.gov.in login and official contacts.
- Category: Government Schemes / Agriculture / UPSC
- Tags: NMNF, natural farming, BPKP, PKVY, Jeevamrit, Krishi Sakhi, NCONF, INM
Disclaimer
Figures mix Cabinet 2024 design, Dec 2024 guidelines, and PIB 2025 progress. Incentive language changed from the 2023 BPKP-era ₹15,000/ha notes — always open the latest guideline PDF and your State AAP. Phone numbers are ministry / NCONF / ICAR office lines from official directories and PGS contact pages (checked against SERPs, August 2026). They are not a farmer helpline in every state.
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