The Indian Union Cabinet chaired by PM Narendra Modi has approved the launch of the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) as a standalone scheme under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare. The scheme has a total outlay of USD 294.2M until the 15th Finance Commission period (2025-26), with the union govt.’s share being USD 187.8M and the total share of respective states who implement it being USD 106.3M. NMNF aims to promote natural farming (NF), encourage chemical-free practices rooted in traditional knowledge, local livestock integration, and diversify cropping systems tailored to local agro-ecology. Over the next two years, NMNF will be implemented in 15K clusters in Gram Panchayats (village councils), reaching 10M farmers and initiating NF on 750K hectares. However, Panjab is witnessing Dalit (marginalized Scheduled Caste, SC) women farmers abandoning organic cultivation due to rising lease rates and stagnant yields, exacerbating agrarian distress. In Changali Wala village, Sangrur district, a group of 10 landless women from the Ramdasia Sikh SC community began organic farming on one-and-a-half acres of village common land five years ago, leasing it for USD 651. The Panjab Village Common Lands (Regulation) Act, 1961, reserves one-third of cultivable land for the SC community, but high lease rates, and proxy bidding by dominant-caste landlords have hindered Dalits from benefiting. Organizations like the Zameen Prapti Sangharsh Committee advocate for fair leasing practices and land rights reforms.
Like what you're reading? Subscribe to our top stories.
Liv Forum provides a digest of analysis on major issues facing Indian (East) Panjab and Sikhs globally.
In accordance with our Privacy Policy, we will never share or sell the information of our subscribers.
