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MoA&FW Issues Guidelines for Establishing Bio-Input Resource Centres Under National Mission on Natural Farming.

National | Dated: 03 May 2025

The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare (MoA&FW) released detailed guidelines in April 2025 for setting up Bio-Input Resource Centres (BRCs) under the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF). These centres aim to promote chemical-free natural farming through localized production and supply of essential bio-inputs.

🎯 Key Highlights:

  • - Only individuals or groups who are already practising or ready to adopt natural farming are eligible to operate BRCs. If no eligible practitioner is available, the State Natural Farming Cell will nominate a farmer to begin natural farming from the next crop cycle.
  • - All bio-inputs must be customized to suit local soil, crop patterns, and farmer needs. Input costs must remain affordable, particularly for small and marginal farmers, to ensure equitable access and promote widespread adoption of natural farming.
  • - BRCs are required to run on a for-profit model to ensure their long-term sustainability. Each BRC must also have easy access to livestock manure and plant biomass, which are crucial for the preparation of organic farming inputs.

💡 Other Important Facts:

  • (i) The government will provide financial support of ₹1 lakh per BRC, in two equal instalments of ₹50,000 each. BRCs may also integrate with other schemes like the Formation and Promotion of 10,000 FPOs and the National Mission on Edible Oilseeds.
  • (ii) BRCs are envisioned as cluster-level enterprises for providing bio-fertilizers, bio-pesticides, and organic formulations. These centres will act as knowledge hubs, offering training, demonstrations, and guidance on bio-input application, particularly for farmers unable to produce inputs themselves.
  • (iii) The National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF), launched on 25th November 2024, is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme with a budget outlay of ₹2,481 crore (GoI share: ₹1,584 crore; State share: ₹897 crore). Over the next two years, it aims to cover 15,000 clusters in Gram Panchayats, reach 1 crore farmers, and promote natural farming on 7.5 lakh hectares.

📚 Test Your Knowledge:

Recently, the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare announced financial support of how much for each BRC under NMNF?

Correct Answer: ₹1 lakh

🚀 Quick Recap:

About Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW)

  • Secretary-General: Devesh Chaturvedi
  • Headquarters: New Delhi