By A Correspondent
Patna: Bihar Deputy Chief Minister and Agriculture Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha said that natural farming is not merely a method of agriculture but a holistic way of life. It encompasses traditional Indian knowledge, livestock-based farming, use of organic resources, and protection of the natural ecosystem. He said that this method is chemical-free, and its core objectives are to enhance soil fertility, increase climate resilience, reduce farmers’ input costs, and boost their income.
The Deputy Chief Minister explained that this method uses organic agricultural inputs such as Jeevamrit, Beejamrit, Ghanjeevamrit, Neemastr, and Dashparni. Elements such as multi-cropping systems, dry sowing before the monsoon, biomass mulching, and use of indigenous seeds make this system comprehensive. Livestock, especially indigenous cows, form the cornerstone of this approach.
He announced that to strengthen natural farming at the grassroots level, two “Krishi Sakhis” will be appointed in each cluster—a total of 800 Krishi Sakhis will be selected. They will work 16 days per month, receiving ₹300 per day as honorarium and ₹200 per month as travel allowance. Their primary role will be to motivate farmers to adopt natural farming, facilitate registration, provide training, and offer technical guidance throughout the crop cycle. For their training, assistance will be taken from farmer master trainers, agricultural universities, Krishi Vigyan Kendras (Agricultural Science Centres), and natural farming institutes. To enhance efficiency, they will be provided with financial support for mobile devices to enable real-time farmer advisories.
Sinha further said that to spread public awareness about natural farming, 2,800 programmes will be organised across 400 selected clusters, with 7 programmes per cluster. Each programme will have 50 participants, including farmers, panchayat representatives, Krishi Sakhis, and members of self-help groups. The goal is to develop natural farming as a mass movement.
He also announced that farmers adopting natural farming will receive an incentive of ₹4,000 per acre per year. This includes ₹300 per month for expenses on organic inputs and livestock care, and a one-time support of ₹400 per year for drums and other resources. Farmers will be eligible for the benefits for up to one acre only, and 50,000 registered farmers will be covered under the scheme.
He said that the state government aims to implement natural farming on 20,000 hectares, thereby supporting both crop marketing and farmers’ incomes. Additionally, 266 Indian Natural Bio-Input Resource Centres (INBRCs) will be established to ensure the availability of necessary inputs to farmers.
Sinha highlighted that natural farming improves soil fertility, organic carbon content, presence of microorganisms, and moisture retention capacity. It eliminates the need for chemical inputs, thereby reducing production costs and providing financial relief to farmers. Consumers benefit from chemical-free, nutritious food, and farmers’ health issues also decline.
This system also increases employment opportunities in rural areas—such as in the production of bio-fertilisers, seed conservation, and compost preparation. Environmental benefits like water conservation, reduced carbon emissions, and ecological balance are also ensured. The integration of livestock into farming makes this approach both sustainable and inclusive.
This initiative by the state government is a visionary step towards economic prosperity of farmers, agricultural sustainability, and environmental conservation. The scheme will not only make farmers self-reliant, but also lay the foundation for a safe and secure farming system for future generations.
