Budget 2025-26: Major boost to National Mission on Natural Farming
Short Info: With a rise in funding of Rs 516 crore from Rs 100 crore in the 2024–25 Revised Estimates (RE) to Rs 616.01 crore in the Union Budget 2025–26, the “National Mission on Natural Farming” received a significant boost. A large increase in funding for the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) in the Union Budget for 2025–2026 has greatly improved support for sustainable agriculture. To promote natural farming in a mission style and lessen farmers’ reliance on chemical inputs nationwide, the Union government announced the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) on November 25, 2024.
With a three-year budget of Rs 2,481 crore (Rs 1,584 crore from the Union government and Rs 897 crore from the states), the NMNF was introduced as a stand-alone, centrally sponsored program under the Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare (DA&FW), Union Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare (MoA&FW). It aims to promote chemical-free farming by introducing natural farming on 0.75 million hectares (ha), which will help 10 million farmers.
Aside from the newly announced missions, other programs that saw increases in allocation included two centrally sponsored programs: Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), which focuses on pre- and post-harvest infrastructure, including the promotion of agri-entrepreneurship, innovations, and value addition, saw an increase of 41%, and Krishionnati Yojana, which aims to increase farmers’ income by improving production, productivity, and better returns on produce. The Namo Drone Didi scheme, which intends to supply drones to 15,000 chosen Women Self Help Groups (SHGs) between 2024–2025 and 2025–2026 to rent services to farmers for agricultural purposes (applying liquid fertilizers and pesticides), saw an increase in funding from the revised 2024–2025 estimates of Rs 250 crore to Rs 676.85 crore.
Allocation to agri research marginal
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan urged agricultural scientists to bridge the “lab to land” gap in 2024, emphasizing the necessity of putting research advances into practice in order to directly assist farmers. Nonetheless, the DA&FW’s allocation under the MoA&FW witnessed a slight rise of 3%. The funding cut to “Strengthening of Krishi Vigyan Kendras” (KVKs), which are grassroots organizations that interact with farmers, showcase and distribute cutting-edge agricultural technologies, train farmers, and carry out other vital extension tasks, was more worrisome.
The budgetary allotment for KVK strengthening was Rs 204.23 crore, while the FY24–25 RE was Rs 234.89 crore. Crop Science for Food and Nutritional Security, a central sector program that aims to create trait-specific, high-yielding field crop varieties and hybrids that are resistant to pests, diseases, and biofortification in addition to a variety of abiotic stresses, was given Rs 965.46 crore, compared to the revised estimates of Rs 930.22 crore for 2024–25.
Key Details of the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF)
Launch and Goals: NMNF, which was launched on November 25, 2024, intends to improve soil health and guarantee the production of safe, wholesome food by encouraging chemical-free agricultural methods throughout India.
Financial Outlay: The mission has a total budget of ₹2,481 crore, of which ₹897 crore comes from the states and ₹1,584 crore from the national government.
Until the 15th Finance Commission period (2025–26), this financing is available. The goal of NMNF is to serve 1 crore farmers in 15,000 clusters within Gram Panchayats by covering 7.5 lakh hectares.
Operational Strategies
Farmer Training: Programs are intended to teach farmers natural agricultural methods, which will lessen their reliance on chemical inputs and encourage sustainable practices.
Certification and Branding: To increase marketability, the goal is to create a national brand and streamline the certification procedure for food free of chemicals.
Monitoring: Using geotagging to follow developments and guarantee transparency, an internet portal will enable real-time monitoring.
Key Initiatives under NMNF :
- The creation of Bio-Input Resource Centers (BRCs) and 15,000 model clusters will enable the production and distribution of bio-inputs, promoting the use of natural farming without the need for individual preparation.
- Farmer Training and Support: Natural farming practices are taught to master trainers, champion farmers, and working farmers through programs run by organizations such as the National Center of Organic and Natural Farming (NCONF) and the National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE).
Recent Developments :
- With a total budget of ₹2,481 crore, the Cabinet authorized the establishment of NMNF as a stand-alone Centrally Sponsored Scheme under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare with the goal of advancing natural farming throughout the nation.
- Given the minimal spending in prior years, questions have been raised regarding the actual use of funds, even with the increased allocation for 2025–2026.
| Aspect | Details |
| Launch Date | November 25, 2024 |
| Total Budget Outlay | ₹2,481 crore (Government of India: ₹1,584 crore; State share: ₹897 crore) for the period up to the 15th Finance Commission (2025-26) |
