Lok Sabha Question No. 2845 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-10
Subject: Implementation of Natural Farming in Telangana
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Kunduru Raghuveer

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2845

TO BE ANSWERED ON 10 TH  MARCH, 2026

## IMPLEMENTATION OF NATURAL FARMING IN TELANGANA

2845. SHRI KUNDURU RAGHUVEER:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ िष एवं िकसान मंũी be pleased to state: (a) the steps taken by the Government to promote Natural Farming across the country under schemes such as the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) and other allied programmes; (b) the current status of implementation of Natural Farming in Telangana, including the total area covered, number of farmers enrolled, and districts identified for promotion; (c) whether any financial assistance, training programmes, capacity-building initiatives, or demonstration clusters have been sanctioned for Telangana during the last three years, and if so, the details thereof; and (d)  whether  the  Government  has  conducted  any  assessment  regarding  yield performance,  cost  reduction,  soil  health  improvement,  and  market  linkage  support under Natural Farming practices?

## ANSWER

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

(a) : The Union Cabinet approved the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) on 25th November 2024 as a centrally sponsored scheme which is being implemented across the country.

कʞाण

(b) & (c): The Government is implementing NMNF across the country to promote Natural Farming including the State of Telangana. NMNF is implemented in cluster mode. In Telangana, 489 clusters have been formed covering an area of 24,736.32 Ha in 32 districts. Further, 61,125 farmers have been registered under the scheme. 979 Krishi Sakhis/Community Resource Persons (CRPs) have been trained at Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs)/Agricultural Universities (AUs)/local Natural Farming Institutes (LNFIs). 315 Bio-Input Resource Centers (BRCs) have been established for production and supply of NF inputs at local levels. Rs. 17.955 lakh was released to the State for the financial year 2024-25 and Rs. 1,323.51 lakh has been released to the State in 2025-26.

(d): Indian Council of Agricultural Research through All India Network on Natural Farming is carrying out research programme with 20 cooperation centres covering 16 States to develop package of practices for Natural Farming.  The programme involves 11  State  Agricultural  Universities,  8  ICAR  institutes/centres  and  1  deemed  to  be university.    The  research  outcome  shows  measurable  improvements  in soil  health indicators.  Over 2-3 years, natural farming plots showed rising soil organic carbon (SOC) levels - for example, SOC increased from ~0.90% to 1.15% in Himalayan trials. The research outcome also shows that Organic farming packages for 80 cropping systems is suitable for States, along with varieties suitable for organic farming in major crops. Organic farming significantly enhanced soil health, with SOC levels consistently higher than both in organic and transitional ('towards organic') systems across all crop categories.

Natural Farming Certification System (NFCS) has been initiated 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.

******