• UGI USER
  • Jul 29, 2024
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SHOULD INDIA FOCUS ON NATURAL FARMING?

Why in the News?

  • Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced in the 2024-25 Budget that one crore farmers will be initiated into natural farming over the next two years.
  • This initiative will be supported by certification and branding, with implementation through scientific institutions and gram panchayats.
SOURCE: mygov.in

The Mission

  • The National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) aims to encourage farmers to adopt chemical-free farming.
  • The scheme under ‘Bharatiya Prakritik Krishi Paddhati’ has a total outlay of ₹4,645.69 crore for six years (2019-20 to 2024-25).

What is Natural Farming?

  • Natural farming avoids chemical fertilizers and pesticides, focusing on traditional practices and on-farm biomass recycling.
  • It emphasizes improving natural nutrient cycling, increasing organic matter in soil, and integrating crops, trees, and livestock.
Other Agricultural Initiatives

1.  Sub-mission on Agroforestry (SMAF):

  • Promotes planting multi-purpose trees alongside crops.
  • Aims to enhance climate resilience and provide additional income.
  • Supports wood-based and herbal industries.

2.  National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA):

  • Focuses on developing and demonstrating climate-resilient agricultural techniques.
  • Aims to mitigate adverse impacts of climate change on agriculture.

3.   Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER):

  • A sub-mission under NMSA targeting certified organic production.
  • Develops organic farming in a value chain mode for the North Eastern region.

Associated Article:

https://universalinstitutions.com/chapter-13-agriculture/