Principles and Practices of Natural Farming-7

Promotion of Natural Farming in India

Government, NGOs & Organizations Promoting Chemical-Free Agriculture

Introduction

Natural Farming is an eco-friendly agricultural system that avoids chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and genetically modified inputs. It relies on natural biological processes, indigenous knowledge, and local resources to maintain soil fertility and crop productivity.

With rising concerns about soil degradation, water pollution, climate change, and farmers’ health, promotion of Natural and Chemical-Free Farming has become a national priority in India.

🌾 Why Promote Natural Farming?

Restores soil health and fertility
Reduces cost of cultivation
Improves farmers’ income
Protects human health
Conserves water and biodiversity
Reduces carbon footprint
Encourages self-reliant agriculture

Government Initiatives for Promotion of Natural Farming

🇮🇳 Central Government Initiatives

1️⃣ National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF)

Launched to promote chemical-free farming across India
Focus on on-farm biomass recycling
Encourages use of bio-inputs like Jeevamrit, Beejamrit
Capacity building of farmers through training and demonstrations

2️⃣ Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY)

Promotes organic and natural farming clusters
Financial support for:
- Bio-inputs
- Certification
- Marketing
Encourages farmer groups and cooperatives

3️⃣ Bhartiya Prakritik Krishi Paddhati (BPKP)

Sub-scheme under PKVY
Focus on Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF)
Uses:
- Desi cow based inputs
- Local resources
Reduces dependency on external inputs

4️⃣ Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY)

Financial assistance for:
- Natural farming projects
- Infrastructure development
- Training programs
Supports innovation and farmer entrepreneurship

5️⃣ Soil Health Card Scheme

Promotes balanced nutrient management
Encourages reduction in chemical fertilizer use
Supports transition towards natural farming

State Government Initiatives

🌿 Andhra Pradesh – Community Managed Natural Farming (APCNF)

World’s largest natural farming program
Covers millions of farmers
Supported by FAO and international agencies
Focus on:
- Climate resilience
- Women self-help groups

🌿 Himachal Pradesh – Prakritik Kheti Khushhal Kisan Yojana

Financial incentives to natural farmers
Promotes cow-based natural inputs
Training through Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs)

🌿 Gujarat – Natural Farming Mission

Promotes organic & natural inputs
Support for certification and marketing
Awareness programs for farmers

🌿 Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh

State-specific policies for:
- Natural farming adoption
- Training programs
- Farmer field schools
- Input preparation units

Role of NGOs in Promoting Natural Farming

Non-Governmental Organizations play a crucial grassroots role in spreading awareness and training farmers.

Major Contributions by NGOs:

Farmer training & demonstrations
Preparation of bio-inputs
Awareness campaigns
Market linkage support
Community mobilization

Prominent NGOs:

Bharatiya Agro Industries Foundation (BAIF)
Deccan Development Society (DDS)
Navdanya (by Dr. Vandana Shiva)
Prakruti Prabodhan
Art of Living Natural Farming Program

Role of Other Organizations & Institutions

🔬 Research & Educational Institutions

ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research)
Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs)
State Agricultural Universities (SAUs)

Contributions:

Research on natural farming practices
Farmer training
Demonstration farms
Validation of indigenous knowledge

🌱 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs)

Promote collective natural farming
Help in:
- Input preparation
- Certification
- Processing
- Marketing of chemical-free produce

🛒 Market & Certification Support

PGS-India (Participatory Guarantee System)
Direct marketing through:
- Farmer markets
- Organic bazaars
- Online platforms
Encourages consumer trust and better prices

International Support

FAO
UNDP
World Bank
Support pilot projects, climate-smart agriculture, and farmer livelihood programs.

Challenges in Promotion of Natural Farming

Initial yield reduction fear
Limited awareness among farmers
Market access issues
Certification complexity
Need for continuous training

Way Forward

Strengthen policy support
Expand training & extension services
Promote farmer-to-farmer learning
Improve market linkages
Encourage youth participation
Integrate natural farming in climate action plans

Conclusion

The promotion of Natural Farming in India is a collective effort involving:

Central and State Governments
NGOs
Research Institutions
Farmer Organizations

With strong policy backing, grassroots participation, and consumer awareness, Natural and Chemical-Free Agriculture can become the backbone of sustainable food systems in India.

A. General Concept (1–8)

1. Natural farming mainly aims to:
A) Increase chemical fertilizer use
B) Reduce cost of cultivation
C) Promote GM crops
D) Increase pesticide use
Answer: B
Explanation: Natural farming reduces external inputs, lowering cultivation costs.

2. Chemical-free agriculture focuses on:
A) Synthetic fertilizers
B) Eco-friendly farming practices
C) Heavy mechanization
D) Monocropping
Answer: B
Explanation: It promotes ecological balance and sustainability.

3. Natural farming relies mainly on:
A) Imported inputs
B) On-farm resources
C) Chemical pesticides
D) Hybrid seeds only
Answer: B
Explanation: Inputs like cow dung, urine, biomass are locally available.

4. Promotion of natural farming helps in:
A) Soil degradation
B) Water pollution
C) Soil health restoration
D) Pest outbreak
Answer: C
Explanation: Organic matter improves soil structure and fertility.

5. One major benefit of natural farming is:
A) Higher chemical residues
B) Farmer dependency
C) Climate resilience
D) Increased pollution
Answer: C
Explanation: Healthy soil and biodiversity improve climate adaptability.

6. Chemical-free farming improves:
A) Food safety
B) Human health
C) Environmental protection
D) All of the above
Answer: D
Explanation: Avoiding chemicals benefits people and ecosystems.

7. Natural farming promotes which concept?
A) Linear economy
B) Circular nutrient flow
C) Export-oriented farming
D) Industrial agriculture
Answer: B
Explanation: Nutrients are recycled within the farm.

8. Adoption of natural farming reduces:
A) Biodiversity
B) Carbon footprint
C) Soil microbes
D) Crop diversity
Answer: B
Explanation: Reduced chemicals and fuel use lower emissions.

B. Central Government Initiatives (9–22)

9. NMNF stands for:
A) National Mission on Natural Farming
B) National Modern Nutrient Fund
C) Natural Manure Network
D) National Mission on Nutrition Farming
Answer: A
Explanation: NMNF promotes chemical-free agriculture nationally.

10. NMNF focuses on:
A) Chemical fertilizers
B) On-farm biomass recycling
C) GM seeds
D) Export subsidies
Answer: B
Explanation: Farm waste is reused as natural inputs.

11. PKVY stands for:
A) Pradhan Krishi Vikas Yojana
B) Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana
C) Progressive Krishi Vikas Yojana
D) Public Krishi Vikas Yojana
Answer: B
Explanation: PKVY promotes organic and natural farming clusters.

12. PKVY encourages:
A) Individual farming only
B) Group/cluster approach
C) Corporate farming
D) Contract farming
Answer: B
Explanation: Cluster farming reduces certification and input costs.

13. BPKP is a sub-scheme under:
A) RKVY
B) NMNF
C) PKVY
D) PMFBY
Answer: C
Explanation: BPKP focuses on Zero Budget Natural Farming.

14. BPKP emphasizes:
A) Chemical fertilizers
B) Desi cow-based inputs
C) GM seeds
D) Hybrid pesticides
Answer: B
Explanation: Inputs like Jeevamrit are cow-based.

15. RKVY supports natural farming by:
A) Providing insurance only
B) Funding innovative projects
C) Export subsidies
D) Seed replacement
Answer: B
Explanation: RKVY funds state and farmer innovations.

16. Soil Health Card Scheme helps natural farming by:
A) Promoting pesticide use
B) Encouraging balanced nutrition
C) Increasing fertilizer use
D) Ignoring soil testing
Answer: B
Explanation: It reduces excess chemical fertilizer use.

17. Which ministry promotes natural farming at national level?
A) Ministry of Commerce
B) Ministry of Environment
C) Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
D) Ministry of Health
Answer: C
Explanation: Agriculture ministry leads policy and schemes.

18. Natural farming schemes mainly aim at:
A) Export promotion
B) Farmer sustainability
C) Industrial farming
D) Corporate profits
Answer: B
Explanation: Focus is farmer income and sustainability.

19. Government support includes:
A) Training
B) Demonstrations
C) Financial incentives
D) All of the above
Answer: D
Explanation: Multiple support mechanisms are provided.

20. Natural farming certification under PGS is:
A) Third-party based
B) Farmer-participatory
C) Private company-based
D) Export-only
Answer: B
Explanation: PGS involves farmers in certification.

21. Promotion of natural farming reduces dependency on:
A) Local resources
B) External chemical inputs
C) Indigenous knowledge
D) Biodiversity
Answer: B
Explanation: Natural inputs are farm-based.

22. Government initiatives aim to make farming:
A) Cost-intensive
B) Input-dependent
C) Self-reliant
D) Mechanization-only
Answer: C
Explanation: Natural farming promotes self-sufficiency.

C. State Initiatives (23–32)

23. Andhra Pradesh’s natural farming model is called:
A) ZBNF India
B) APCNF
C) PKVY-AP
D) Green AP
Answer: B
Explanation: APCNF = Andhra Pradesh Community Managed Natural Farming.

24. APCNF is known as:
A) Small pilot program
B) World’s largest natural farming program
C) Private initiative
D) Export scheme
Answer: B
Explanation: It covers millions of farmers.

25. Himachal Pradesh promotes:
A) Chemical farming
B) Prakritik Kheti
C) Industrial farming
D) GM crops
Answer: B
Explanation: The state supports natural farming financially.

26. Gujarat supports natural farming through:
A) Farmer training and incentives
B) Chemical subsidies
C) Import of fertilizers
D) Corporate farming
Answer: A
Explanation: Awareness and certification support is provided.

27. State governments mainly support:
A) Training and awareness
B) Local input production
C) Market access
D) All of the above
Answer: D
Explanation: States customize programs based on local needs.

28. Which states promote natural farming?
A) Andhra Pradesh
B) Himachal Pradesh
C) Maharashtra
D) All of the above
Answer: D
Explanation: Multiple states run programs.

29. State schemes focus on:
A) Indigenous knowledge
B) Local resources
C) Farmer participation
D) All of the above
Answer: D
Explanation: Decentralized and farmer-centric approach.

30. Women SHGs play a key role in:
A) APCNF
B) Industrial farming
C) Chemical farming
D) GM crop promotion
Answer: A
Explanation: SHGs are central to community farming.

31. State KVKs help in:
A) Training farmers
B) Demonstrations
C) Technology transfer
D) All of the above
Answer: D

32. Natural farming adoption at state level improves:
A) Soil health
B) Farmer income
C) Climate resilience
D) All of the above
Answer: D

D. NGOs & Other Organizations (33–50)

33. NGOs mainly work at:
A) Policy level
B) Grassroots level
C) Export level
D) Industrial level
Answer: B

34. Navdanya is associated with:
A) Chemical farming
B) Seed conservation & natural farming
C) GM research
D) Export trade
Answer: B

35. BAIF works in:
A) Farmer livelihoods
B) Sustainable agriculture
C) Natural resource management
D) All of the above
Answer: D

36. NGOs support farmers by:
A) Training
B) Input preparation
C) Awareness programs
D) All of the above
Answer: D

37. ICAR contributes by:
A) Research
B) Validation of practices
C) Farmer training
D) All of the above
Answer: D

38. Krishi Vigyan Kendras are:
A) Research labs
B) Farmer training centers
C) Export offices
D) Input shops
Answer: B

39. Farmer Producer Organizations help in:
A) Collective marketing
B) Certification
C) Input preparation
D) All of the above
Answer: D

40. PGS-India certification is suitable for:
A) Small farmers
B) Group farming
C) Domestic markets
D) All of the above
Answer: D

41. International agencies supporting NF include:
A) FAO
B) UNDP
C) World Bank
D) All of the above
Answer: D

42. NGO-led natural farming improves:
A) Farmer awareness
B) Community participation
C) Sustainability
D) All of the above
Answer: D

43. Natural farming promotion strengthens:
A) Food security
B) Farmer livelihoods
C) Environmental health
D) All of the above
Answer: D

44. Chemical-free agriculture is important for:
A) Human health
B) Soil biodiversity
C) Clean water
D) All of the above
Answer: D

45. Market linkage is essential because:
A) Natural produce needs premium price
B) Farmers need better income
C) Consumer trust increases
D) All of the above
Answer: D

46. NGOs help in reducing:
A) Chemical dependency
B) Farmer risk
C) Input cost
D) All of the above
Answer: D

47. Promotion of natural farming supports:
A) Sustainable Development Goals
B) Climate action
C) Rural employment
D) All of the above
Answer: D

48. Natural farming is best described as:
A) Input-intensive
B) Knowledge-intensive
C) Capital-intensive
D) Machinery-intensive
Answer: B

49. Long-term goal of natural farming is:
A) Profit only
B) Ecological balance
C) Chemical replacement
D) Export promotion
Answer: B

50. Promotion of natural farming requires:
A) Government support
B) NGO participation
C) Farmer involvement
D) All of the above
Answer: D