Patna: Bihar is stepping up its efforts to promote natural and chemical-free agriculture, with the state government planning to bring 5,700 hectares under natural farming during 2026–27 under the National Mission on Natural Farming.
The initiative aims to reduce farmers’ dependence on chemical fertilisers and pesticides while improving soil health and lowering cultivation costs. Under natural farming, farmers use cow dung, cow urine and other locally available natural resources as agricultural inputs.
Farmers to Receive ₹4,000 Per Acre
To encourage wider adoption, farmers practising natural farming will receive a subsidy of ₹4,000 per acre, applicable for a maximum of one acre.
The state has also selected 800 Krishi Sakhis to provide technical assistance to farmers. Each Krishi Sakhi will receive an honorarium of ₹5,000 per month.
The support is aimed at helping farmers understand natural farming techniques and adopt them more effectively at the field level.
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20,000 Hectares Already Under Natural Farming
Bihar has already made significant progress in expanding natural farming. The practice currently covers around 20,000 hectares across all 38 districts, involving approximately 50,000 farmers.
The state has established 266 Bio-Input Resource Centres to help farmers access agricultural inputs on time. Farmers are also receiving training to prepare natural formulations such as Jeevamrit, Beejamrit, Ghanjeevamrit, Neemastra and Agni Astra.
To further strengthen the local supply of organic inputs, the government plans to establish two Bio-Resource Centres for every three clusters.
Support for Compost and Biogas Infrastructure
The Bihar State Organic Mission is also contributing to the expansion of chemical-free agriculture by supporting farmers in setting up facilities such as vermicompost pits, biogas units and commercial vermicompost units.
The Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana is also being used to promote chemical-free farming practices in the state.
Another initiative, the Khet Bachao Abhiyan, was launched by the state government on June 1 to encourage farmers to adopt farming methods that reduce dependence on chemical inputs.
Natural Farming Across Different Crops
Farmers in districts including Rohtas, Nalanda and Patna have increasingly adopted natural farming techniques.
The practice is not limited to food grains. Farmers are using natural farming methods for:
- Paddy and wheat
- Tomato, brinjal, okra, cauliflower and chilli
- Dragon fruit, guava, papaya and banana
According to the state government, the approach can support soil health while helping crops cope better with climate-related challenges.
Focus on Lower Costs and Soil Health
For farmers, one of the key attractions of natural farming is the potential to reduce expenditure on external agricultural inputs. Greater use of locally available resources can help reduce dependence on chemical fertilisers and pesticides.
The state government’s approach combines financial assistance with field-level technical support and access to bio-inputs. This could make it easier for more farmers to gradually shift towards chemical-free cultivation.
Bihar Builds on National Natural Farming Mission
The Centre launched the National Mission on Natural Farming in 2025 to promote natural farming across the country. Bihar is now expanding its implementation through additional acreage, farmer incentives and support infrastructure.
With another 5,700 hectares targeted for natural farming in 2026–27, Bihar aims to build on the 20,000 hectares already under the practice.
The expansion could strengthen the state’s focus on sustainable agriculture while giving farmers access to alternative farming methods that seek to balance productivity, soil health and cultivation costs.
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