Lok Sabha Question No. 136 (STARRED), answered on 2025-12-09
Subject: Impact Assessment of Natural and Organic Farming
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Chandra Prakash Joshi

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

## LOK SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO. 136

TO BE ANSWERED ON 09 TH  DECEMBER, 2025

## IMPACT ASSESSMENT OF NATURAL AND ORGANIC FARMING

* 136.    SHRI CHANDRA PRAKASH JOSHI:

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

- (a) whether the Government has carried out the assessment for the impact of natural and organic farming on soil health;
- (b) the States where such models are being implemented on a large scale; and
- (c) the schemes being implemented to promote natural and organic farming in Rajasthan?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ िष एवं िकसान कʞाण मंũी (SHRI SHIVRAJ SINGH CHOUHAN)

- (a) to (c): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## STATEMENT IN  RESPECT  OF  PARTS  (a)  TO  (c)  OF  THE  LOK  SABHA  STARRED QUESTION  NO.  136  DUE  FOR  ANSWER  ON  09 TH   DECEMBER,  2025  REGARDING 'IMPACT ASSESSMENT OF NATURAL AND ORGANIC FARMING'

(a): Indian  Council  of  Agricultural  Research  through  All  India  Network  Programme  on Natural Farming is carrying out research programme with 20 cooperating 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. Natural farming soils had significantly higher  microbial  counts  and  diversity  indices  than  chemical-fed  soils.  Richer  microbial communities (e.g. more beneficial bacteria, fungi, and actinomycetes) and more balanced microbial  evenness  under  natural  farming  was  observed,  indicating  a  healthier  soil ecosystem developing over time. This boost in soil biota and organic matter under natural farming  improves  nutrient  cycling  and  soil  structure,  laying  the  foundation  for  sustained fertility and yield stability. The research outcome also shows that Organic farming packages for 80 cropping systems is suitable for 16 States, along with varieties suitable for organic farming in major crops. Organic farming significantly enhanced soil health, with SOC levels consistently higher than both inorganic and transitional ('towards organic') systems across all crop categories.

(b) & (c): The National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) is being implemented across the country including Rajasthan. The NMNF targets to initiate Natural Farming in 7.5 Lakh Ha area. An output based incentive of ₹4000/- per acre per year per farmer for 2 years is provided  in  NMNF  to  encourage  farmers to practice  natural  farming,  train  more  farmers, upkeep of livestock, preparation  of natural farming inputs including purchase of mixing & storage containers, etc. Under the mission, 1,800 clusters have been formed covering 90,000 hectares area in the State of Rajasthan to promote natural farming. Till date 1.89 lakh farmers have been enrolled and 164 Bio-input Resource Centre (BRC) have been set up to provide easy availability of natural farming bio-inputs such as Jeevamrit, Beejamrit etc. in the State.

Under the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY), assistance of Rs. 31,500 per ha in 3 years is provided for promotion of organic farming. Out of this, assistance of Rs. 15,000 per ha is provided to farmers through Direct Benefit Transfer for on- farm /off -farm organic inputs. This Scheme is also implemented in Rajasthan in 10,057 clusters covering 2.01 lakh hectares area benefitting 2.86 lakh farmers.

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