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HomePosts Tagged "natural farming"
Agribusiness, AgroPolicy

The government of Uttar Pradesh intends to spend more than Rs 2,500 crore to encourage natural farming in 282 blocks and 2,144 gram panchayats with the goal of enlisting more than 2.5 lakh farmers

With investments totaling more than Rs 2,500 crore over the next two years, the Uttar Pradesh government announced Monday that it intends to convert more than 2.5 lakh farmers to natural farming across 282 blocks and 2,144 gram panchayats.

The alarming rise of heavy metals in agricultural soil has arisen as a major concern for the farming sector, the state government said in a statement.

According to a global assessment, 1.4 billion people are impacted by the approximately 15 per cent of the world’s arable land that is contaminated with harmful heavy metals.

In several areas, levels of dangerous metals like lead, arsenic, cadmium, cobalt, chromium, copper, and nickel have risen to dangerous levels.

Biologists from the University of York claimed that these metals provide long-term health concerns to people, animals, and aquatic life since they enter the food chain through soil, water, and air.

“The central and Uttar Pradesh governments, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, are encouraging organic and natural farming in light of the impending threat. In addition to being chemical-free, these methods are environmentally benign, sustainable, and climate-resilient.

“The Yogi Adityanath government intends to implement natural farming for more than 2.5 lakh farmers in 2,144 gram panchayats and 282 blocks. With an expected expenditure of Rs 2,500 crore over the next two years, the program will be implemented through 50-hectare clusters, according to the government.

Natural farming is water-, land-, and people-friendly, according to the government.

According to the statement, natural farming is currently being extended to both banks of the Ganga’s tributaries after being successfully implemented in Bundelkhand and along its coastal areas.

It stated that ‘Krishi Sakhis’ will be employed at a monthly stipend of Rs 5,000 in order to increase awareness and offer grassroots support.

These women farmers would receive training from Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) experts in their respective districts. It further stated that two Bio-Input Research Centers (BRCs) will be set up in each district to assist in this endeavor.

A special program centered on cow-based natural farming is being implemented in the seven districts of Bundelkhand: Jhansi, Lalitpur, Jalaun, Hamirpur, Mahoba, Banda, and Chitrakoot.

Using cow dung and urine, farmers are being trained to make organic inputs like Jeevamrit, Beejamrit, and Ghanjeevamrit. In the fields, these bio-formulations are employed as natural insecticides and fertilizers.

21,934 farmers have benefited from the 470 clusters that have been established thus far. According to the government, farmers who cultivate up to two hectares will receive financial help as part of a 50-hectare cluster being built in each gram panchayat.

Under this goal, a total of 2,535 Farmers’ Field School sessions were held. It further stated that the government has set up Rs 13.16 crore for its initial and subsequent stages.

The government of Uttar Pradesh intends to

AgroPolicy, India, Organic

 Implementation of Natural farming will be done through Scientific institutions and willing grampanchayats.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Union Budget 2024-25. In the first budget of the Modi 3.0 government, Sitharaman said that we have drawn road map for Vikasit Bharat with 9 priorities agenda which includes productivity and resilience in agriculture and energy security.

FM said that in the next two years 1 crore farmers across the country will be initiated into natural farming. Government will support them with certification and branding. Implementation will be done through Scientific institutions and willing grampanchayats. 10,000 need-based bio-input resources will be established

 Implementation of Natural farming will be done

AgroPolicy, Environment, India, Nature, Sustainability

The portal contains information about the mission, implementation outline, resources, implementation progress, farmer registration, blog

Narendra Singh Tomar, Union Agriculture Minister, recently chaired the first steering committee meeting of the National Natural Farming Mission at Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi. In the meeting, Tomar launched the NMNF portal. He said that the mission of natural farming in the country would be taken forward with everyone’s cooperation. In this regard, he asked the officers to coordinate with the State Governments and Central Departments and enable market linkage so that the farmers get more ease in selling their products. Union Rural Development Minister Giriraj Singh and Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Uttar Pradesh Agriculture Minister Surya Pratap Shahi, Union Agriculture Secretary Manoj Ahuja and senior officers of various ministries attended the meeting.

The newly launched portal (http://naturalfarming.dac.gov.in/) has been developed by the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. It contains all the information about the mission, implementation outline, resources, implementation progress, farmer registration, blog etc., which will be useful for the farmers. Also, this website will help in promoting natural farming in the country.

In the meeting, Union Minister Giriraj Singh said that good initiatives have been taken to promote natural farming. He also gave his suggestions in this regard in the meeting. Jal Shakti Minister Shekhawat said that under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, work is being done for natural farming on the banks of the Ganga. The Ministry of Jal Shakti has made a roadmap by identifying 75 Sahakar Ganga villages in the first phase by signing an MoU with Sahkar Bharti and training has been given to the farmers.

UP Agriculture Minister Shahi said that under the Namami Gange Project, the promotion of natural farming has been started in the state. A target has been set to work in every block and master training has been done.

It was informed in the meeting that more than 4.78 lakh hectares of the additional area have been brought under natural farming in 17 states from December 2021. 7.33 lakh farmers have taken initiative in natural farming. About 23 thousand programs have been organized for the sanitization and training of farmers. Natural farming is being implemented in 1.48 lakh hectares on the banks of the river Ganga in four states.

The portal contains information about the mission,

Floriculture, Horticulture, India, Nature

A huge demand for saffron from all around the world since it gets the geographical indication (GI) tag

Saffron production in Jammu and Kashmir has increased by 30 per cent this year due to adequate rains just before the flowering season, which raised production and prevented crop yields from declining. Kashmir has more than 3700 hectares of land under saffron cultivation and the Pampore in Pulwama is the main hub for growing saffron. However, the spice is now being cultivated across different districts of Kashmir valley as well.

According to the Jammu and Kashmir Saffron Growers Association, this year, the rate of Lacha quality saffron is around Rs 185 per gram while Morga quality saffron is Rs 240 per gram at Kashmir’s Park Pampore. The saffron farmers in the valley earlier were very much disappointed due to low rates in the market. But since the Kashmir Saffron Park came into existence and has decided rates on a high note, the farmers started taking more interest in the cultivation of saffron.

Huge demand for saffron from all over the world since it gets the geographical indication (GI) tag a sign used on products which have a specific geographical origin. Last season, the saffron production exceeded 15 metric tones after a gap of more than 25 years. The year-on-year increases in production are expected to revitalize the industry because growers have been forced to switch to other crops or stop growing the pricey crop due to diminishing yields and land under cover.
Since 1996, production has been falling, with the Valley experiencing the lowest yield of 1.5 MTs in 2011-2012. Experts were warning that due to declining production, this valuable crop would become extinct.

A huge demand for saffron from all

AgroPolicy, Horticulture

Conference discusses areas such as Natural Farming, Digital Agriculture, Crop Insurance, promotion of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and Agricultural Infrastructure Fund

The two-day National Conference of Agriculture and Horticulture Ministers of the States, organized by the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare in coordination with the Government of Karnataka, concluded successfully in Bengaluru. On the basis of extensive deliberations in various sessions during the conference, the States agreed to increase their contribution in areas such as Natural Farming, Digital Agriculture, Crop Insurance, promotion of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and Agricultural Infrastructure Fund towards achieving the Central Government’s efforts for Sustainable Agriculture Development, which will be a concrete step towards achieving the goal of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘AatmaNirbhar Bharat’ (self-reliant India).

The Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Narendra Singh Tomar said that there is tremendous potential in the agriculture sector. There is a need to focus on Innovation and technological advancements to address the emerging challenges in this sector and work towards the welfare of small farmers. He said that compared to other sectors, Agriculture performed positively during the Covid pandemic due to specific interventions of the Central Government such as the uninterrupted relaxation given to agricultural works and running Kisan Rail benefitted the agriculture sector and farmers.  Tomar emphasized that there is a need to focus our attention towards better implementation of the policies and programmes of the Government of India in coordination with the State Governments. This includes effective implementation of Digital Agriculture Mission, promotion of FPOs, development of better trade mechanism of agricultural produce through e-NAM, making best use of PM Kisan Samman Nidhi and Agriculture Infrastructure Fund for development of Infrastructure in rural areas. He said that the States need to focus on Crop Diversification keeping in view the demand for high value crops to enable increase in the farmers income. On this occasion, the Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shobha Karandlaje and the Agriculture Minister of Karnataka, B.C. Patil were present.

During the two-day conference, discussions were held with the States on important topics for the overall development of Agriculture in the country. The conference also deliberated upon the International Year of Millets – 2023 to be observed in the next year. Keeping in view the importance of Nutritious Cereals, the States agreed to increase their production and area, as well as promote the processing, value addition and marketing of nutritious cereals, taking all possible steps along with the Central Government.

Conference discusses areas such as Natural Farming,

Agro Universities, AgroPolicy, Agrotech, Environment, Sustainability, Water

Union agri minister applauds the concerted efforts of the Government of Himachal Pradesh in the promotion of natural farming in the state

Narendra Singh Tomar, Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare. recently took part in a two-day ’12th Biennial National Krishi Vigyan Kendra Conference – 2022′ in Solan Himachal Pradesh. The conference was jointly organised by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi and Dr Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan, Himachal Pradesh at Solan, Himachal Pradesh.

The Union Minister regarded the KVKs and agricultural universities as the prominent source of guidance for the farming communities. Tomar applauded the concerted efforts of the Government of Himachal Pradesh in the promotion of natural farming in the state.

“It is the need of the hour to give more importance to save water as it is the essential element not only for the agricultural practices; but, the survival of human life too”, stressed Jai Ram Thakur, Chief Minister, Government of Himachal Pradesh. The various initiatives taken up by the Government of Himachal Pradesh for promoting natural farming practices on a large scale in the state were highlighted by the chief minister.

Kailash Choudhary, Union Minister of State for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare urged the agricultural scientists for disseminating the new and latest agricultural technologies at the farmers’ doorsteps effectively.

Union agri minister applauds the concerted efforts

AgroPolicy, Agrotech, Environment, Sustainability

A bilingual compendium of success stories of natural farming, consisting of 110 success stories from 13 states across India, was released during the event

NITI Aayog, as a part of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations, recently organised a national level workshop on ‘Innovative Agriculture’ in New Delhi.

Dr Neelam Patel, Senior Adviser, Agriculture and Allied Sectors (AAS) Vertical, NITI Aayog welcomed the participants and cited the need to understand the science, fundamentals, and processes behind the practice of natural farming. She hoped that the knowledge, research experience, and expertise of the international experts attending the workshop will aid in building the capacities of the Indian scientists, researchers, and policymakers for the promotion of natural farming in the country.

NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant, during his address, said “Natural farming is the need of the hour and it is important to identify scientific ways so farmers can be assured direct benefits from natural farming and higher incomes.”

Addressing the workshop, Prof Ramesh Chand, Member, NITI Aayog said “We can give a chance to such alternatives because there is no serious threat to food security since we are food surplus.” He also called for stepwise adoption of natural farming. 

Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Parushottam Rupala pointed out that the awareness about nutritious food, good health and immunity has increased during the pandemic. In this regard, he also highlighted the role of natural farming in providing nutritious food. He stressed the importance of cattle and livestock in ensuring better nutrition. 

Addressing the workshop, Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Narendra Singh Tomar mentioned that the Government has been encouraging agricultural practices that work in harmony with nature, reduce the cost of production, and ensure good-quality produce and profits for farmers. He also emphasised the importance of science and technology in natural farming.

Acharya Devvrat, Governor of Gujarat, shared his experience regarding how shifting to natural farming has led to a significant reduction in the cost of cultivation, improvement in soil health, and enhancement in yield. He also added that adopting natural farming will help optimise the work of farmers and benefit the environment at large, especially when it comes to the use of water. ‘There is huge scope for bringing in innovations in the agriculture sector through natural farming’, he added.

Dr Rajiv Kumar, Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog mentioned that the time is ripe to encourage natural farming and share the benefits with the people at large, especially our farmers. The shared experiences of states will help build a robust roadmap to adopt innovative agricultural practices in the country. He expressed his enthusiasm to come up with a successful road map toward natural farming in India post the workshop. 

A bilingual compendium of success stories of natural farming, consisting of 110 success stories from 13 states across India, was released during the event. 

The workshop had four technical sessions: (i) a panel discussion on natural farming in states, (ii) natural farming for soil health restoration and climate change mitigation, (iii) promotion of natural farming, (iv) innovations in natural farming.

During the first technical session, Yogi Adityanath, Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, joined the workshop virtually and highlighted the importance and traditional aspects of cow-based natural farming which helps sequester carbon and improve soil health. Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh mentioned the state’s plan to promote natural farming on both the sides of the banks of the river Narmada and 5,200 villages. YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, Chief Minister, Andhra Pradesh stressed the need to enhance research on natural farming and stated the need for support from the Centre for natural agriculture in the ratio of 90:10. The Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Pushkar Singh Dhami spoke about the current status, progress and challenges in natural farming in Uttarakhand. 

In the second technical session, academicians, scientists, researchers, and dignitaries discussed the need to promote regenerative agriculture, strategies to reverse and mitigate climate change with traditional farming systems, the importance of sustainable agroecological food systems in the 21st Century, the role played by natural farming in making agriculture climate-resilient, and the need for green economics for a New India. 

In the third technical session, the need to scale up natural farming, integration of National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) resources, and the role played by Cooperatives and FPOs in the promotion and scaling up of marketing networks and provision of credit support for natural farming was highlighted. Dr Rajeshwar Chandel (Executive Director, Prakritik Kheti Khushhal Kisan Yojana, Himachal Pradesh) spoke about the Community based certification process in Natural Farming. Dr Baljit Saharan (Associate Prof. Haryana Agriculture University) said, “Improved soil biology and biodiversity play an important role in the promotion of natural farming.”

In the last technical session, innovations like pre-monsoon dry sowing, experiences in managing crop residue while practising natural farming, and mechanisation and automation for input preparations and applications in natural farming were shared.

More than 1250 participants from central ministries, state governments, industry, farmers, academic and research institutions, KVK’s and NGOs, delegates from national and international organizations in agriculture and allied sectors, and international delegates from France, Australia and Germany joined the workshop physically and virtually. 

A bilingual compendium of success stories of

AgroPolicy, Environment, Sustainability

The project will be executed in collaboration with Andhra Pradesh government promoted Rythu Sadhikara Samstha

Govt of Odisha is set to roll out a climate-resilient natural farming programme in tribal-dominated areas of five districts in a step toward sustainable agriculture. The project will be executed in collaboration with Andhra Pradesh government promoted Rythu Sadhikara Samstha (RySS), to implement natural farming, they said.

The project, covering 3.15 lakh hectares of farmland, will be rolled out from 2022-23 fiscal with an investment of around Rs 312 crore over five years. A cluster approach will be adopted for the scheme, to be undertaken through women’s self-help groups (WSHGs) in Sundargarh, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Rayagada and Koraput districts.

The WSHGs will be trained for crop diversification, initial preparation of bio-inputs and pre-monsoon sowing. They will be assisted in the establishment of common facility centres for cleaning, grading, segregation and storage.

The project will be executed in collaboration

AgroPolicy, Interaction

Acharya Devvrat, Governor of Gujarat underlined the components of the natural farming like use of Bijamrut, Jeevamrut, Ghan Jeevamrut, Mulching and multiple cropping systems

The ICAR-Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute, Pune, Maharashtra organise Virtual Sensitisation Workshop on “Natural Farming for Healthy Nation for Krishi Vigyan Kendras” on February 10, 2022.

Inaugurating the Workshop, the Chief Guest, Acharya Devvrat, Governor of Gujarat underlined the components of the natural farming like use of Bijamrut, Jeevamrut, Ghan Jeevamrut, Mulching and multiple cropping systems. He stressed that by using these methods, the natural farming can be done without affecting the yield and dependency on the import of agriculture fertilisers and other inputs can be reduced.

Devvrat highlighted the concept and philosophy of the natural farming. He stated that the natural farming helps in reducing the cultivation cost, enhancing the soil fertility and yields and protecting from uncertainties of climate change by adopting agro-ecology based principles.

The Special Guest, Jagdish Vishwakarma Panchal, Minister of State for Cooperation and Cottage Industries, Government of Gujarat underlined the Department’s working towards providing the marketing facilities to the farmers practicing natural farming in the state. He also urged the participants for taking the concept of natural farming at the village level too.

Dr CK Timbadia, Director of Extension Education, Navsari Agriculture University, Navsari, Gujarat outlined the success of forming the natural farming groups and master trainers for orienting the farmers and development functionaries.

Acharya Devvrat, Governor of Gujarat underlined the

Organic, Schemes - NABARD

The new programme christened as ‘JIVA’ has been launched virtually on February 9, 2022

The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has launched an agroecology-based programme JIVA on February 9, 2022, that will promote natural farming under its existing watershed and wadi programmes in 11 states.

In order to stimulate a long-term wider scale transformation of food and agriculture systems in these areas and for ensuring sustainability of interventions made so far, it is proposed to introduce agroecological approaches in Natural Resource Management (NRM) portfolio of NABARD.

The new programme christened as ‘JIVA’ (meaning “a living being or entity imbued with a life force”) has been launched virtually between 3 PM to 4 PM on February 9, 2022. The event will be graced by Dr G R Chintala, Chairman, NABARD. P V S Suryakumar, DMD, NABARD, Dr Rajiv Kumar, Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog, Sanjay Agarwal, Secretary, MoA&FW, Dr S K Chaudhari, DDG (NRM), ICAR, Heads/representatives of GiZ and KfW in the country will be sharing their thoughts.

“We will invest Rs 50,000 per hectare under this programme,” NABARD Chairman G R Chintala said in the virtual launching event.

“While the best practices will be implemented on 200 hectares in each project, these 200 hectares will be a learning and proselytising platform to the whole village,” he added.

The new programme christened as ‘JIVA’

AgroPolicy, Finance

Under BPKP, financial assistance of Rs 12200/ha for 3 years is provided for cluster formation, capacity building and continuous hand-holding by trained personnel.

The Government of India has taken a slew initiatives to promote Natural Farming through Bhartiya Prakritik Krishi Padhati (BPKP) introduced during 2020-21.

A sub scheme of Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) for the promotion of traditional indigenous practices including Natural Farming. The scheme mainly emphasizes on exclusion of all synthetic chemical inputs and promotes on-farm biomass recycling with major stress on biomass mulching, use of cow dung-urine formulations and other plant-based preparations.

Under BPKP, financial assistance of Rs 12200/ha for 3 years is provided for cluster formation, capacity building and continuous hand-holding by trained personnel, certification and residue analysis.

There has been a list of the State wise details of funds released and area covered under Bhartiya Prakritik  Krishi  Padhthi (BPKP), where total of 409400 Ha of an area is been covered under the released amount, 4980.99 lakh.

ICAR (Indian Council of Agriculture Research) has constituted a committee for developing syllabus and curriculam of Natural farming at under graduate and post graduate level.

Under BPKP, financial assistance of Rs 12200/ha

AgroPolicy

The three-day summit was attended by over 5000 farmers

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed farmers at the National Conclave on Natural Farming through a video conference. Union Ministers Amit Shah, Narendra Singh Tomar, Governor of Gujarat, Chief Ministers of Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh were among those present on the occasion. The Government of Gujarat organised the National Conclave on Natural Farming. The three-day summit was attended by over 5000 farmers, apart from farmers connected Live through Central Institutes of ICAR, Krishi Vigyan Kendras and ATMA (Agricultural Technology Management Agency) network in the states.

Addressing the farmers, the Prime Minister called for the adaptation of agriculture according to new requirements, new challenges of the journey till the 100th year of independence. The Prime Minister noted that in the last six to seven years, several steps have been taken, from seed to market to increase the income of the farmers. Measures from soil testing to hundreds of new seeds, from PM Kisan Samman Nidhi to fixing MSP at 1.5 times the cost of production, from irrigation to a strong network of Kisan Rail have taken the sector in that direction. He greeted the farmers from all over the countries who were connected to the event.

While acknowledging the important role of chemicals and fertilisers in the Green Revolution, the Prime Minister emphasised the need for working on its alternatives simultaneously. He warned against the dangers of pesticides and imported fertilisers which lead to increased costs of inputs and also cause damage to health. The Prime Minister stressed that this is the right time to take big steps before the problems related to agriculture become even worse. 

“We have to take our agriculture out of the lab of chemistry and connect it to the lab of nature. When I talk about nature’s laboratory, it is completely science-based,” the Prime Minister said. The Prime Minister said today the more modern the world is becoming, the more it is moving towards ‘back to basic’. The Prime Minister said, “It means connecting with your roots. Who understands this better than all of you farmer friends? The more we water the roots, the more the plant grows”, said the Prime Minister.

The three-day summit was attended by over