Each season, fertiliser costs rise while soil productivity declines. Years of heavy chemical use have weakened soil health and left farmers dependent on expensive external inputs with shrinking returns. To address this, the Government of India launched the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF), a scheme that helps farmers adopt low-cost, chemical-free farming through training, financial support and market access. This guide explains the NMNF scheme in detail, covering its objectives, benefits, eligibility, and registration.
NMNF Scheme 2026 — Key Takeaways at a Glance
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Detail
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Information
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Full form
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National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF)
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Ministry
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Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare
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Launched
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25 November 2024
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Type
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Centrally Sponsored Scheme
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Total outlay
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₹2,481 crore (₹1,584 crore central + ₹897 crore state)
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Farmer benefit
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₹4,000 per acre per year for 2 years, by DBT (max 1 acre)
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BRC support
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₹1 lakh in two instalments of ₹50,000
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Targets
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1 crore farmers, 7.5 lakh hectares, 15,000 clusters
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How to apply
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Free — on the official portal or through your nearest Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK)
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Official portal
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naturalfarming.dac.gov.in
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What is Natural Farming?
Natural farming is a traditional Indian method of farming that uses natural materials like desi cow dung, cow urine and farm waste instead of chemical fertilisers and pesticides. It works by bringing crops, trees, animals and useful organisms in the soil together. The natural resources and farm waste are reused and returned to the soil, helping maintain soil health and reduce dependence on outside inputs.
There are four main practices in natural farming. Beejamrit is used for seed treatment with cow dung, cow urine and lime to protect seeds and young roots. Jeevamrit is a natural mixture applied to the soil to increase useful microorganisms. Acchadana means covering the soil with crop residue to retain moisture and reduce weeds. Whapasa means maintaining the right balance of air and moisture in the soil. Farmers should also understand their soil, crop, weather and local conditions for better crop growth and long-term farm productivity.
What is the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF)?
The National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) is a standalone Centrally Sponsored Scheme launched in November 2024 under the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. It helps farmers move from chemical farming to chemical-free, desi-cow-based natural farming.
National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) is more than a subsidy. It helps farmers switch to natural farming with free Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) training, low-cost local inputs from Bio-input Resource Centres, an output-based incentive of ₹4,000 per acre per year for two years (up to one acre per farmer), and easier market access through PGS-India certification and a single national brand. Farmers in a Gram Panchayat form clusters of about 50 hectares, since natural farming works better when nearby fields follow the same practice.
Natural Farming vs Organic Farming vs Chemical Farming
Many farmers use the words natural farming and organic farming to mean the same thing, but they are different. Here is a simple comparison:
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Point
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Natural Farming
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Organic Farming
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Chemical Farming
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Inputs
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On-farm, cow-based
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Bought organic inputs
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Chemical fertiliser/pesticide
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Cost
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Lowest
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Medium
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Highest
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Certification
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PGS-India
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NPOP / PGS
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Not required
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Soil health
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Improves
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Improves
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Declines
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Government Scheme
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NMNF
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PKVY / NPOP
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—
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Organic farming replaces chemical inputs with purchased organic inputs. Natural farming reduces purchased inputs altogether — which is why it costs a small farmer less.
Objectives of the NMNF Scheme
The National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) works towards these main goals:
- Cut the cost of cultivation and reduce dependence on purchased chemical inputs
- Restore soil health, organic carbon and soil biology
- Promote chemical-free farming rooted in traditional, desi-cow-based practices
- Encourage biodiversity and diverse cropping systems
- Build climate resilience against drought and erratic rainfall
- Promote livestock integration and on-farm input self-reliance
- Deliver safe, residue-free food to consumers
- Strengthen farmer training through Farmer Field Schools and field guides like Krishi Sakhis
- Give farmers simple certification, a national brand, and market access
- Increase farmer income by cutting input costs and getting a better price through certification, branding and market access
Note: Raising yield in the first year is not one of the goals. NMNF is built around cutting costs and rebuilding soil health, with better yields expected gradually as the soil recovers.
NMNF Scheme Benefits and Financial Assistance for Farmers
Under the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) scheme, farmers, SHGs, and FPOs get financial help, free training, input kits, certification, and market support to shift to natural farming.
Financial Assistance & Direct Support:
- An output-based incentive of ₹4,000 per acre per year for two years, up to a maximum of one acre per farmer — so up to ₹8,000 in total.
- Conditions: Paid only to farmers who adopt and continue natural farming; it stops if they discontinue.
- Use of Funds: Supports livestock upkeep, natural input preparation (like Jeevamrit and Beejamrit), or purchasing bio-inputs from local centres
- Free Training: Delivered through Krishi Vigyan Kendras, state agricultural universities and around 2,000 Model Demonstration Farms.
- On-Ground Guidance: Over 70,000 trained Krishi Sakhis and community resource persons help guide farmers locally, with 30,000 to be deployed under the mission — two per cluster
- Certification Support: Simple PGS-India certification through NCONF, cheaper and easier than NPOP organic certification.
- Market Support: A single national brand for natural produce, plus branding, haats, melas and FPO promotion.
- BRC Support: ₹1 lakh in two installments of ₹50,000 to set up a Bio-input Resource Centre; 10,000 BRCs are planned nationally.
Key Benefits for Farmers:
- Lower Costs: Eliminates expensive chemical fertilizers and synthetic pesticides, cutting overall cultivation costs.
- Soil Health: Restores soil fertility, boosts earthworms and microorganisms, and improves water retention.
- Climate Resilience: Healthier soil and diverse cropping build resistance to drought, flood, waterlogging and erratic rainfall.
- Health Protection: Removes health hazards caused by handling dangerous chemical sprays.
- Better Market Access: A simple certification system and dedicated national branding help sell natural produce at a better price.
- Higher Net Income: Lower input spending plus better price realisation improves what stays in hand at the end of the season.
Eligibility Criteria and Documents Required
Before applying, see if you are eligible and keep these documents ready:
Eligibility Criteria:
- All farmers are eligible, including small and marginal farmers.
- The farmer must have cultivable land and an Aadhaar-linked bank account.
- The farmer must agree to stop using chemical fertilisers and pesticides and continue natural farming; support stops if they discontinue.
- FPOs, SHGs, and Krishi Sakhis can also take part.
- The farmer must commit to adopting natural farming and join a Natural Farming Cluster.
- NMNF and PKVY benefits cannot be claimed on the same land.
Documents Required:
- Aadhaar card
- Land record (khasra/khatauni)
- Aadhaar-linked bank passbook for DBT
- Aadhaar-linked mobile number
- Livestock details
- Passport-size photograph
- Caste certificate (only for SC/ST farmers)
- Any other document asked for during verification
Step-by-Step NMNF Registration Process
You can follow these steps for the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) Registration Process:
Step 1: Create an Account
- Go to naturalfarming.dac.gov.in and open the registration page.
- Choose your User Type — Practising NF Farmer, Willing Gram Panchayat, FPO or NGO.
- Enter your personal details and select your State, District, Block and Village.
- Enter your mobile number, set a password and click Submit.
Step 2: Fill in Personal and Land Details
Log in again with your mobile number and password, then complete five sections:
- Personal Details: Aadhaar number, caste category and photograph.
- Land Details: Total farming land, and how much of it you will bring under natural farming.
- Crop Details: The crops you plan to grow this year.
- Inputs & Practices: Mark Yes or No for the natural preparations you use — Jeevamrit, Beejamrit, mulching.
- Livestock: Details of cows or other local farm animals you own.
Step 3: Final Submission
Check everything carefully and tap Final Submission. The system generates a unique Application ID — save it, you will need it to track your application
If you cannot apply online: enrol through your local KVK or district agriculture office. The benefit is the same.
Helpline Number & Support
If you need any help with the NMNF scheme, these helpline numbers and support contacts are available:
Tip: For land verification or stuck DBT payments, the district agriculture office is the fastest. For farming practice questions, ask your KVK or Krishi Sakhi.
