Lok Sabha Question No. 2983 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-10
Subject: Organic Farming in Tribal Regions
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Bhaskar Murlidhar Bhagare

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS' WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS' WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2983

TO BE ANSWERED ON 10 th  MARCH, 2026

## Organic Farming in Tribal Regions

2983. Shri Bhaskar Murlidhar Bhagare:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ िष एवं िकसान कʞाण मंũी be pleased to state:

(a) whether  the  Government  is  implementing  the  National  Mission  on  Natural Farming to promote natural and organic farming practices across the country, including in the tribal-dominated regions of Maharashtra;

(b) if  so,  the  details  of  its  implementation  in Scheduled Area  and  tribal districts of Maharashtra,  including  Gadchiroli,  Nandurbar,  Palghar,  Thane  and  parts  of  Nashik, covering area brought under natural farming and key activities undertaken during last three years;

(c) the number of tribal farmers enrolled under the Mission and the extent of financial, input-based and technical support provided to them, district-wise;

(d) whether specific targets have been fixed for expanding natural farming among tribal communities in Maharashtra and the progress achieved so far;

(e) whether  natural  farming  clusters  in  tribal  areas  are  being  linked  with  FPOs, markets and certification systems to improve tribal farmers' incomes; and

(f) the role of KVKs and research institutions in training and monitoring outcomes in these tribal regions?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ िष एवं िकसान कʞाण राǛ मंũी (SHRI BHAGIRATH CHOUDHARY)

(a) :  Y es, the Government is implementing National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) to promote natural farming and Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) for promotion of organic farming, including in State of Maharashtra.

(b) to (d) :  Under the implementation of the NMNF, community resource persons such  as  Krishi  Sakhis  have  been  deployed  to  provide  guidance  and  handholding support to farmers at the village level. To facilitate the transition from conventional to natural farming practices, 136 training programmes at the KVK level and 442 training sessions at the village level have been conducted. Farmers have been trained in the preparation and application of natural inputs, including microbial formulations such as Jeevamrut and seed treatment solutions like Beejamrut ,  as alternatives to chemical fertilizers  and  pesticides. A  total  of  31,237  farmers  have  been  enrolled  under  the Mission and financial assistance of ₹4,000 per acre per farmer for a period of two years is being provided under NMNF. The scheme also envisages the establishment of  Bio-Input  Resource  Centres  (BRCs)  at  the  village  level  to  ensure  the  easy availability of natural farming inputs. These BRCs are operational and accessible to farmers at the village or block level . In addition, regular training programmes at village and KVK levels are being conducted to strengthen farmers' capacities and promote wider adoption of natural farming practices. Rs. 80.6601 Crore has been released to the State of Maharashtra for the financial year 2025-26 under NMNF.  Rs. 160.9301 Crore has been released to the State from 2015-16 to 2025-26 under PKVY to the State of Maharashtra.

(e):  The  State  Government  of  Maharashtra  is  also  implementing  Dr.  Panjabrao Deshmukh Naisargik Sheti Mission across the State including tribal dominated regions of the State for the promotion of Natural Farming. Natural Farming Certification System (NFCS) has also been initiated by the Government as "PGS-INDIA NATURAL" for certification of all produces of natural farming in accordance with the Natural Farming Standards.  It  is  an  online  certification  system  and  implemented  through  National Centre for Organic and Natural Farming (NCONF). More than 14 lakh farmers have been registered under the natural farming certification system till date with more than 6 lakh farmers issued NF certificates. Certification will enable farmers to get premium price for natural products. In the State of Maharashtra, 2,60,530 farmers have been registered  under  the  natural  farming  certification  system  till  date  with  more  than 2,36,986 farmers issued NF certificates.

(f): The Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Central and State Agricultural Universities (AU), Local Natural Farming Institutions (LNFI) and Farmer Master Trainers (FMT) impart training on all aspects of Natural Farming implementation.  It includes on-field training in  Natural  Farming  model  demonstration  farms  of  farmer  fields  covering  locally relevant  NF  practices,  package  of  Natural  Farming  practices  and  preparation  of Natural  Farming  inputs  such  as  Beejamrut,  Jeevamrut,  Neemastra  etc  and  other location specific good Natural Farming practices.

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