PM-PRANAM Scheme Promotes Sustainable Farming and Balanced Fertilizer Use Across India

The Government of India is accelerating sustainable agriculture through the PM-PRANAM Scheme, encouraging balanced fertilizer use, organic farming and natural farming practices. Supported by complementary initiatives such as PKVY, MOVCDNER and the National Mission on Natural Farming, the programme aims to improve soil health, reduce chemical fertilizer dependence and promote environmentally friendly agricultural growth.

PM-PRANAM Strengthens Sustainable Agriculture and Balanced Fertilizer Use in India

Government Promotes Sustainable Farming Through PM-PRANAM

The Government of India is intensifying its efforts to build a more sustainable and environmentally responsible agricultural sector through the PM Programme for Restoration, Awareness Generation, Nourishment and Amelioration of Mother Earth (PM-PRANAM). The initiative encourages states and Union Territories to adopt balanced fertilizer use while promoting organic and natural farming practices.

Approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) in June 2023, PM-PRANAM is designed to reduce excessive dependence on chemical fertilizers, improve soil fertility and support long-term agricultural sustainability. The scheme also aligns with India's broader vision of ensuring food security while protecting natural resources for future generations.

Why Balanced Fertilizer Use Matters

Chemical fertilizers have played a significant role in increasing agricultural productivity over the years. However, excessive and imbalanced use of fertilizers such as Urea, Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP), NPK and Muriate of Potash (MOP) can gradually affect soil quality, reduce nutrient efficiency and create environmental concerns.

Balanced nutrient management ensures that crops receive the right combination of nutrients while preserving soil fertility. It also helps farmers improve crop productivity, reduce unnecessary input costs and maintain sustainable agricultural practices over the long term.

Recognising these challenges, the government has placed balanced fertilizer application at the centre of its agricultural policy.

Objectives of the PM-PRANAM Scheme

The PM-PRANAM Scheme has been introduced with the objective of encouraging states to reduce their dependence on chemical fertilizers without compromising agricultural productivity.

The programme promotes:

• Balanced nutrient application.

• Adoption of alternative fertilizers.

• Organic farming practices.

• Natural farming methods.

• Resource conservation technologies.

• Improved soil health management.

By encouraging sustainable farming techniques, the scheme seeks to create healthier agricultural ecosystems while reducing environmental degradation.

Performance-Based Incentives for States

One of the key features of PM-PRANAM is its incentive-based approach. States and Union Territories that successfully reduce the consumption of chemical fertilizers compared to the average usage during the previous three financial years become eligible for financial incentives.

The government provides incentives equivalent to 50% of the fertilizer subsidy savings, rewarding states that actively promote sustainable nutrient management.

This performance-linked model encourages state governments to invest in awareness programmes, farmer education and environmentally friendly agricultural practices.

Promoting Organic Farming Through PKVY

The Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) serves as one of the government's flagship programmes for promoting organic farming across India.

The scheme supports farmers by encouraging chemical-free cultivation methods while improving soil fertility and agricultural sustainability.

Under PKVY:

• Financial assistance exceeding ₹2,811 crore has been released.

• Nearly 18.93 lakh hectares have been brought under organic farming.

• Around 33.63 lakh farmers have benefited from the programme.

The initiative enables farmers to reduce production costs while meeting the growing consumer demand for organic agricultural products.

Supporting Organic Agriculture in North-East India

The Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER) focuses specifically on expanding organic farming in the northeastern states.

The programme supports integrated value chains from production to marketing while encouraging farmers to adopt sustainable agricultural practices.

Key achievements include:

• Financial support of over ₹1,548 crore.

• Coverage of approximately 2.36 lakh hectares.

• Benefits extended to nearly 2.74 lakh farmers.

The initiative strengthens rural livelihoods while promoting the North-East as a major hub for organic agriculture.

National Mission on Natural Farming Gains Momentum

The Government has also launched the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) to promote chemical-free agriculture across the country.

With a total outlay of approximately ₹2,481 crore, the mission encourages farmers to adopt natural farming techniques that rely on locally available resources rather than synthetic fertilizers and pesticides.

During FY26, the mission has already achieved significant progress by:

• Forming 18,893 farmer clusters.

• Covering 10.32 lakh hectares.

• Benefiting 20.93 lakh farmers.

The programme contributes to healthier soils, lower cultivation costs and improved environmental sustainability.

Precision Nutrient Management Enhances Efficiency

Alongside policy initiatives, scientific innovations are playing an increasingly important role in sustainable agriculture. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has developed precision nutrient management technologies that help farmers apply fertilizers more efficiently.

These technologies enable:

• Better nutrient utilisation.

• Reduced fertilizer wastage.

• Improved crop productivity.

• Lower environmental impact.

• Enhanced soil health.

Scientific nutrient management allows farmers to achieve higher yields while using fewer chemical inputs.

Benefits for Farmers and the Environment

The combined implementation of PM-PRANAM and complementary agricultural programmes offers multiple long-term benefits.

These include:

• Improved soil fertility.

• Reduced dependence on chemical fertilizers.

• Lower cultivation costs.

• Higher farm productivity.

• Better environmental conservation.

• Increased farmer incomes.

• Sustainable agricultural growth.

The initiatives also contribute to climate-resilient farming by encouraging efficient use of natural resources.

Supporting India's Sustainable Agriculture Goals

The Government's integrated approach combines policy support, financial incentives, scientific innovation and farmer awareness to create a sustainable agricultural ecosystem.

By encouraging organic farming, natural farming and balanced nutrient management, India is working towards building an agricultural sector that remains productive while protecting soil, water and biodiversity.

These programmes also support national objectives related to food security, climate resilience and sustainable rural development.

Conclusion

The PM-PRANAM Scheme, together with programmes such as PKVY, MOVCDNER and the National Mission on Natural Farming, represents a significant step towards transforming Indian agriculture into a more sustainable and environmentally responsible sector. By promoting balanced fertilizer use, encouraging organic and natural farming and supporting scientific nutrient management, the Government aims to improve soil health, reduce chemical fertilizer dependence and enhance farmers' livelihoods. As these initiatives continue to expand, they are expected to strengthen India's agricultural resilience while supporting long-term food security and sustainable economic growth.