Natural Farming Certification in India at a Crossroads: Targets, Funding Gaps, and Credibility Concerns

The government initiative to promote natural farming in India has reached a critical juncture. Just four months after the release of the Natural Farming Certification Guidelines, the scheme is rapidly transforming into a race to meet targets. Regional councils involved in the certification process say they are being pressured to certify thousands of farmers quickly without adequate funding, raising questions about the credibility of the entire system.

Thousands of farmers in four months, how is that possible?

The government recently issued a circular instructing regional councils to register 5,000 to 10,000 non-scheme farmers (those not participating in any government scheme) under organic or natural farming within six months. The circular also stated that if these targets are not met, the councils' performance will be reviewed, and their accreditation could be revoked if necessary.

The problem is that the certification framework on which this entire mission is based was only finalized in August. Despite this, pressure to show results began mounting on the councils from October onwards. Councils operating in several states say that the National Centre of Organic and Natural Farming (NCONF) is constantly pushing them to certify more and more farmers.

Certification is not a formality; it's a process based on trust

The regional councils clearly state that natural farming certification is not simply a matter of filling out online forms. It involves training farmers, ensuring they understand the standards, conducting repeated field inspections, and carrying out peer reviews through local farmer groups. This entire process is based on time and trust.

Vishalakshi Padmanabham of the Sixteen Doddi Trust says that a few months ago, there was a frantic rush to enroll 50,000 farmers. Threatening messages even circulated in WhatsApp groups stating that any council that failed to enroll 5,000 farmers would be removed. Their organization refused to participate in this rushed process because, according to them, issuing certificates without the explicit consent of farmers and proper verification would weaken the system.

How will the system survive without funding?

The biggest concern is funding. Councils are being asked to certify non-scheme farmers at their own expense. However, the cost of certification is not insignificant. According to the councils, the annual cost per farmer ranges from Rs 500 to Rs 700, or Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,000 per hectare. This includes expenses such as staff salaries, field visits, training, documentation, and sometimes soil and residue testing.

Some councils reported that they have not yet received the funds promised under the mission. The National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) has a budget of Rs 2,481 crore, with a 60:40 split between the central and state governments. However, many states have not yet released their 40 percent share.

Increasing financial burden on small organizations

Small non-profit organizations working in states like Gujarat and Uttarakhand say they cannot bear this cost for long. Francis Macwan, director of Shrishti Organics in Gujarat, says his organization incurred a loss of Rs 4.5 lakh last year. They primarily work with Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, and women farmers, from whom it is not possible to collect additional fees.

Flaws in the scheme's design and implementation

Experts believe that this pressure is not only due to the targets but also to the hasty implementation of the scheme. According to G.V. Ramanjaneyulu of the Centre for Sustainable Agriculture (CSA), the mission was supposed to be implemented in a phased manner. State governments were to identify farmers, MANAGE was to provide training, and the work was to be carried out at the grassroots level through Krishi Sakhis (women agricultural extension workers). However, this process remained incomplete in many states.

Furthermore, it is still unclear what the definition of natural farming will be—whether it will be based solely on indigenous cow-based practices or include all non-chemical methods. Experts Warn: System's Credibility at Risk

On December 22, 2025, several senior scientists and experts associated with natural farming wrote a letter to the director of NCONF, expressing their concerns. The letter stated that certificates were being issued hastily without proper field verification, thereby undermining the core principles of the PGS system—trust, community participation, and transparency. They also warned of the dangers of corruption and a culture of shortcuts.

Quality, Not Quantity, Should Be the Priority

Natural farming is crucial for India's agricultural future, but if certification becomes merely a means of showcasing numbers, it could erode the trust of both farmers and consumers. The need of the hour is for the government to strengthen on-the-ground preparations, funding, and training before setting targets. Otherwise, this well-intentioned initiative to promote natural farming could collapse under its own weight.

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