Source: DTE
Context: The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare released guidelines for setting up Bio-Input Resource Centres (BRCs) to promote natural farming under the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF).
About Bio-Input Resource Centres:
- What is Bio-Input Resource Centres?
-
- BRCs are cluster-level enterprises that provide farmers with locally prepared natural farming inputs like bio-fertilizers, bio-pesticides, and organic formulations.
- They also act as knowledge hubs to train and guide farmers transitioning to natural farming practices.
- Established Under: Launched under the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF).
- Objectives:
-
- Facilitate easy availability of quality bio-inputs for farmers.
- Support farmers with technical knowledge on natural farming methods.
- Promote the scaling-up of natural farming practices across villages.
- Features:
-
- Financial Support: Rs. 1 lakh per centre in two tranches of Rs. 50,000 each.
- Entrepreneur Eligibility: Must practice or be willing to adopt natural farming.
- Customized Inputs: Inputs to be developed based on local soil, crop patterns, and farmer needs.
- Training Support: Train farmers on botanical extracts, bio-input preparations, and pest management tools.
- For-Profit Model: BRCs are intended to be sustainable ventures supporting local economies.
- Market Facilitation: Explore convergence with FPOs, SRLMs, and agriculture marketing boards.
About National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF)
- What is NMNF?
-
- NMNF is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme aimed at promoting chemical-free, sustainable agriculture rooted in local agro-ecology and indigenous knowledge.
- Objectives:
-
- Promote natural farming to ensure safe and nutritious food.
- Reduce dependency on external chemical inputs and lower cultivation costs.
- Build healthy soil ecosystems, promote biodiversity, and enhance climate resilience.
