Government reports 114.60 lakh hectares under micro-irrigation and 11.81 lakh hectares under natural farming as foodgrain production reaches a record 357.73 million tonnes

Key Highlights

• 26.18 crore Soil Health Cards generated nationwide.
• 114.60 lakh hectares brought under micro-irrigation, benefiting around 100 lakh farmers.
• 11.81 lakh hectares covered under the National Mission on Natural Farming.
• Natural farming now spans 24,031 clusters and benefits 24.69 lakh farmers.
• Organic farming under PKVY has covered 18.93 lakh hectares and benefited 33.63 lakh farmers.
• Foodgrain production rose from 252.03 million tonnes in 2014-15 to 357.73 million tonnes in 2024-25.
• Horticulture production increased to 370.73 million tonnes in 2024-25.

India is expanding sustainable and climate-resilient farming practices through a combination of micro-irrigation, soil-health management, natural and organic farming, agroforestry, water conservation and crop diversification, according to the latest government data.

The initiatives are aimed at improving resource efficiency while maintaining farm productivity and strengthening the long-term resilience of India’s agricultural sector.

Micro-irrigation expands to 114.60 lakh hectares

Under the Per Drop More Crop programme, the government is promoting micro-irrigation and fertigation to improve water-use efficiency.

So far, 114.60 lakh hectares have been brought under micro-irrigation, benefiting approximately 100 lakh farmers.

Fertigation enables water-soluble fertilisers to be delivered directly to crop root zones, helping farmers use both water and nutrients more efficiently.

The government has also generated 26.18 crore Soil Health Cards, supporting more balanced and scientifically informed fertiliser application.

Natural and organic farming scales up

The National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) has covered 11.81 lakh hectares across 24,031 clusters, benefiting 24.69 lakh farmers.

Farmers practising natural farming receive incentive support of ₹4,000 per acre for two years, including for preparing or purchasing natural farming inputs.

Organic farming is being promoted through the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) and the Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER).

PKVY has covered 18.93 lakh hectares, benefiting 33.63 lakh farmers, while MOVCDNER has brought 2.36 lakh hectares under organic farming, benefiting 2.74 lakh farmers.

Under the programmes, farmers receive assistance of ₹15,000 per hectare through DBT.

Agroforestry adds another layer of sustainability

The government’s Agroforestry Scheme encourages farmers to integrate trees with agricultural crops while expanding the availability of quality planting material.

In the past three years, 826 nurseries have been established and around 1,062.18 lakh saplings raised.

Financial assistance includes up to ₹16 lakh for a one-hectare large nursery, ₹10 lakh for a 0.5-hectare small nursery and up to ₹5 lakh for raising saplings in existing nurseries.

Water conservation becomes central to farm resilience

The Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) continues to focus on expanding assured irrigation, improving on-farm water-use efficiency and conserving water.

Under the Har Khet Ko Pani component, Surface Minor Irrigation and Repair, Renovation and Restoration of Water Bodies are being implemented with central assistance to states and Union Territories.

The government is also prioritising water conservation under the Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission–Gramin (VB-G RAM-G) through Natural Resource Management works.

The government said 110 of the 318 permissible works under the programme relate to water conservation and natural resource management.

Evaluation points to gains in farm efficiency

Government-cited NITI Aayog evaluations indicate positive outcomes from several interventions.

• 62.46% of farmers under Per Drop More Crop reported substantial improvements in water-use efficiency or crop yield.
• 70.28% under Rainfed Area Development reported substantial improvement in farm productivity.
• 63.78% of farmers following Soil Health Card recommendations reported improved fertiliser efficiency or crop yield.
• 68.5% reported improvement in soil health through natural inputs.
• 75.85% of organic farming beneficiaries reported improvements in soil fertility, lower chemical-input costs or better produce quality.
• 90.1% of farmers under the National Mission on Natural Farming reported reduced input costs compared with chemical fertiliser-based farming.

The evaluation also indicated that strategic interventions could increase domestic edible-oil availability to 16 million tonnes by 2030 and 26.7 million tonnes by 2047.

Groundwater remains largely stable

According to the Central Ground Water Board’s pre-monsoon 2026 assessment, 7,977 of 9,085 monitoring wells—or 87.8%—were classified in the normal category.

The government said the findings indicate that water-management and conservation interventions are contributing to resource conservation and climate resilience, although adoption of sustainable practices continues to vary by region depending on agro-climatic conditions and irrigation availability.

Foodgrain and horticulture output continue to rise

Despite challenges from biotic and abiotic stresses, India’s agricultural production has continued to grow.

Foodgrain production increased from 252.03 million tonnes in 2014-15 to a record 357.73 million tonnes in 2024-25.

Horticulture production rose from 280.98 million tonnes to 370.73 million tonnes over the same period.

Impact on hospitality, food and tourism

The sustainability push has implications across India’s food and hospitality ecosystem.

For hospitality and food businesses: Greater adoption of efficient irrigation, natural farming and improved soil management could support more resilient domestic food supply chains and increase the availability of sustainably produced ingredients.

For farm-to-table and culinary tourism: Organic and natural-farming clusters, agroforestry landscapes and horticulture-producing regions can create opportunities for farm stays, food trails, experiential tourism and regional culinary experiences.

For hotels and restaurants: Growing consumer interest in sustainable sourcing could encourage hospitality businesses to build stronger relationships with certified organic and natural-farming producers.

For tourism destinations: Better water conservation and climate-resilient agriculture can strengthen the sustainability of rural and agritourism destinations, particularly in regions where farming and tourism economies are closely interconnected.

Overall, the government’s approach increasingly links farm productivity with resource conservation, food security and climate resilience, creating a more sustainable foundation for India’s wider food, hospitality and tourism economy.