India Aims for 3.25 Million Hectares Under Chemical-Free Farming by FY31

The Centre plans to bring 3.25 million hectares under chemical-free natural farming by FY31, creating 65,000 clusters through the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF). This aims to scale up sustainable agriculture, improve farm incomes by reducing input costs, and promote integrated crop-livestock systems. An outlay of ₹750 crore is eyed for FY27 to add 650,000 hectares, establish bio-input centers, and train personnel. Experts emphasize benefits like protected incomes and higher produce prices, but institutional overhaul is needed for successful scaling.

The Indian Centre is strategizing a substantial expansion of chemical-free natural farming, aiming to encompass 3.25 million hectares by fiscal year 2031. This initiative, executed under the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF), plans the establishment of 65,000 clusters, each spanning 50 hectares. Representing approximately 1.8% of India's total agricultural land, this move signifies a considerable scale-up from the current 880,000 hectares under natural farming. For FY27 alone, a ₹750 crore outlay is proposed to bring an additional 650,000 hectares into this fold. Key targets for this period include setting up 5,000 bio-input resource centres (BRCs) for local production of natural farming inputs, training 26,000 community resource persons, and establishing 2,858 demonstration farms to foster adoption.The government's push towards sustainable agriculture is driven by multiple benefits. Experts like Ashwin Bhadri highlight that natural farming significantly reduces farmers' input costs, which traditionally erode margins, thereby protecting net incomes. Additionally, certified natural produce can command 20-40% higher prices in organized retail and even more in export markets. Beyond economic advantages, the programme seeks to promote integrated crop-livestock systems, strengthen agro-ecological research, and restore soil health degraded by conventional practices. However, some experts, including Umendra Dutt, caution that successful scaling necessitates a comprehensive overhaul of the agricultural institutional framework, demanding collaboration among farmers, activists, scientists, and streamlining bureaucratic processes.