Cabinet Approves Key Initiatives: PAN 2.0 and National Mission on Natural Farming

Over the next two years, a ₹2,481 crore project has been started by the Union Cabinet to encourage one crore farmers to use natural farming methods.

The National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF), which aims to encourage chemical-free farming throughout India, has been approved by the Union Cabinet with a ₹2,481 crore budget. Through the use of eco-friendly techniques and traditional knowledge, this effort seeks to improve agricultural practices for one crore farmers over the next two years. The Ministry of Agriculture will carry out the mission, which incorporates earlier natural farming initiatives and is anticipated to promote sustainable farming methods while lowering farmers' input costs.

Important Goals and Plans for Implementation 

Up till 2025–2026, the NMNF will function as a stand-alone Centrally Sponsored Scheme, with ₹897 crore from state governments and ₹1,584 crore from the federal government. Ashwini Vaishnaw, the minister of information and broadcasting, called the effort a "path-breaking decision" that demonstrates the government's dedication to farmer welfare. By encouraging biodiversity and improving soil health, the mission seeks to shift farmers to natural farming practices based on regional agro-ecological concepts. It intends to create 15,000 clusters in cooperative Gramme Panchayats over the following two years, reaching 10 million farmers and introducing natural agricultural methods on 7.5 lakh hectares of land.

Context & Background 

This project expands on previous initiatives like the creation of a natural farming corridor along the Ganges in 2022–2023 and the Bhartiya Prakratik Krishi Paddhati, which was started in 2019–20. In order to promote natural farming, the NMNF aims to combine several earlier initiatives into a unified plan. The objective seeks to provide farmers with fundamental knowledge on sustainable methods, such as processing natural inputs using local resources, by setting up approximately 2,000 Model Demonstration Farms at agricultural universities and offering training through Farmer Master Trainers.

The Viewpoint of the Reasonable Indian

An important step towards sustainable agriculture in India has been taken with the establishment of the National Mission on Natural Farming. In addition to addressing environmental issues, this project promotes farmer livelihoods by lowering reliance on expensive external inputs by giving priority to chemical-free technologies and traditional traditions. How can we better promote community involvement in these environmentally beneficial actions as we transition to a more sustainable future? Your ideas and experiences might spark fruitful discussion and group action!