Over 20.9 Lakh Farmers Join National Mission on Natural Farming; More Than 10.32 Lakh Hectares Covered Across India
Government expands chemical-free farming through 18,893 clusters, 527 Krishi Vigyan Kendras and over 33,000 trained community resource persons under the National Mission on Natural FarmingKey Highlights20.92 lakh farmers enrolled under the National Mission on Natural
Government expands chemical-free farming through 18,893 clusters, 527 Krishi Vigyan Kendras and over 33,000 trained community resource persons under the National Mission on Natural Farming
Key Highlights
- 20.92 lakh farmers enrolled under the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF).
- 10.32 lakh hectares brought under natural farming across India.
- 18,893 farmer clusters established under the mission.
- 527 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), 76 Agricultural Universities and 194 Local Natural Farming Institutes supporting implementation.
- 18 Centres of Natural Farming (CoNFs) identified for training scientists, officials and master trainers.
- 33,257 Krishi Sakhis and Community Resource Persons (CRPs) trained to guide farmers.
- Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh lead in farmer participation and area coverage.
- Information shared by Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shri Ramnath Thakur in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.
National Mission on Natural Farming Crosses 20 Lakh Farmers as India Scales Up Sustainable Agriculture
India’s transition towards sustainable and chemical-free agriculture continues to gain momentum, with the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) enrolling more than 20.92 lakh farmers and bringing over 10.32 lakh hectares under natural farming practices.
Approved by the Union Cabinet on November 25, 2024, NMNF is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme aimed at promoting livestock-integrated, chemical-free farming rooted in India’s traditional agricultural knowledge.
The mission focuses on improving soil health, restoring ecosystems, lowering cultivation costs and enhancing climate resilience while encouraging diversified cropping systems that reduce dependence on synthetic inputs.
Mission Expands Nationwide
According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, implementation has expanded rapidly across the country.
Current Progress (2024-25 & 2025-26)
- Clusters Formed: 18,893
- Farmers Enrolled: 20,92,657
- Area Covered: 10,32,116 hectares
The mission is being implemented through a nationwide network of:
- 527 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs)
- 76 Agricultural Universities
- 194 Local Natural Farming Institutes (LNFIs)
In addition, 18 Centres of Natural Farming (CoNFs) have been established to train scientists, State officials and Farmer Master Trainers.
To strengthen last-mile implementation, 33,257 Krishi Sakhis and Community Resource Persons (CRPs) have already been trained to provide on-ground technical guidance to farmers.
States Leading the Mission
Several States have emerged as early leaders in natural farming adoption.
| State | Farmers Enrolled | Area Covered (Hectares) |
|---|---|---|
| Andhra Pradesh | 6.50 lakh | 4.26 lakh |
| Uttar Pradesh | 2.31 lakh | 83,167 |
| Rajasthan | 2.12 lakh | 91,166 |
| Madhya Pradesh | 1.68 lakh | 90,902 |
| Maharashtra | 1.44 lakh | 40,515 |
| Karnataka | 1.24 lakh | 54,457 |
| Gujarat | 1.17 lakh | 48,741 |
| Odisha | 60,422 | 24,059 |
| Chhattisgarh | 57,590 | 25,605 |
| Bihar | 50,065 | 21,155 |
Andhra Pradesh remains the largest contributor, accounting for the highest number of farmers and the largest area under natural farming.
Building a Nationwide Natural Farming Ecosystem
The Government said the mission is designed to promote farming systems that strengthen the relationship between soil, water, livestock, biodiversity and climate.
Community Resource Persons (CRPs) play a critical role by helping farmers adopt natural farming practices, preparing bio-inputs, improving soil health and implementing sustainable crop management at the cluster level.
The network of universities, KVKs and local institutes is expected to accelerate knowledge transfer and ensure wider adoption across diverse agro-climatic regions.
Hospitality, Food & Tourism Impact
The expansion of natural farming has growing significance for India’s hospitality, foodservice and tourism sectors as demand for sustainable and locally sourced food continues to rise.
- Hotels, restaurants and resorts can benefit from a larger supply of chemical-free fruits, vegetables, cereals and spices that align with wellness and sustainability trends.
- Farm-to-table restaurants and luxury hospitality brands gain greater opportunities to source certified natural produce from organized farmer clusters.
- Natural farming supports the development of culinary tourism, agritourism and rural tourism, where visitors increasingly seek authentic farm experiences and regional food traditions.
- Improved soil health and biodiversity contribute to long-term resilience in food production, strengthening supply chains for the hospitality industry.
- The growing network of farmer clusters can also encourage collaborations between hospitality businesses and local producer groups, enhancing destination-based dining experiences and promoting regional cuisines.
Hospitality Outlook
The rapid expansion of the National Mission on Natural Farming signals a long-term shift toward sustainable agriculture in India. For the hospitality industry, this means improved access to naturally grown ingredients, stronger local sourcing networks and new opportunities to build wellness-focused menus, farm-to-fork experiences and agritourism offerings. As consumer demand for environmentally responsible food continues to grow, the mission could become an important driver of sustainable hospitality and culinary tourism in the years ahead.
