PRAYAGRAJ, 23 June 2025: In a major push for sustainable agriculture, 6,375 farmers across Prayagraj division are set to adopt natural, cow-based organic farming practices under the National Mission on Natural Farming, officials confirmed this week.
The initiative, led by the Uttar Pradesh Agriculture Department, aims to transition farmers away from chemical-based farming in favor of eco-friendly methods that reduce input costs and increase incomes.
According to S.P. Srivastava, Joint Director of Agriculture, 51 dedicated natural farming clusters have been formed across four districts: 12 in Prayagraj, 22 in Pratapgarh, 9 in Fatehpur, and 8 in Kaushambi. Each cluster covers 50 hectares, bringing a total of 2,550 hectares under natural farming practices.
To make the transition feasible, the government is offering INR 4,000 per acre per year to each participating farmer, helping cover initial costs and inputs during the shift away from chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
Srivastava emphasized the state’s goal of making natural farming a grassroots movement. “The success seen in Bundelkhand has encouraged us to extend this model to Purvanchal and central Uttar Pradesh,” he said.
A key component of the initiative is the empowerment of rural women. So far, 102 women have been selected and are undergoing training to become natural farming guides. Starting in July, they will assist clusters in implementing best practices. Each guide will receive a monthly honorarium of INR 5,000.
To ensure long-term sustainability, the initiative also focuses on integrating farmers into Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs). This connection gives them access to essential infrastructure such as farm machinery banks, custom hiring centers, warehouses, cold storage units, and market support systems.
The government aims to replicate this model in every gram panchayat, creating a ripple effect across the state. With the dual benefits of economic empowerment and ecological health, officials see natural farming as the foundation for self-reliant agriculture in Uttar Pradesh.
“The ultimate goal,” Srivastava added, “is to make farming not only profitable, but also regenerative and resilient in the face of rising input costs and environmental stress.”
As Uttar Pradesh leads India’s shift toward climate-smart farming, Prayagraj’s natural farming clusters may soon become a blueprint for nationwide agricultural transformation.
