Archive · 18 Nov 2025
Maharashtra Unifies Strategy for Natural, Residue-Free Farming
Maharashtra had a big meeting to plan how to grow more food without using chemicals.
They want to make sure farmers earn more money and the soil stays healthy.
They also want to fix some problems with natural farming, like not having a good way to check if food is really natural.
They will try to help farmers with money, make sure they can sell their food, and help them if something goes wrong.
They also want to teach kids about natural farming in school.
Maharashtra held a high-level consultation to scale natural farming
Stakeholders aligned policy intent with field realities and market expectations
Policy priorities include promoting natural farming, enhancing income, and improving soil health
Structural changes needed: tailored agri-finance, assured markets, risk mitigation, and policy validation
Gaps in natural farming include weak evaluations, unaddressed gaps, and lack of structured supply chain
- Who
- Policymakers, scientists, farmers, certification experts, market players, and implementing agencies
- What
- Unified strategy for scaling natural and residue-free farming
- When
- Through a high-level state consultation
- Where
- Maharashtra, India
- Why
- To promote sustainable agriculture and improve farmers' income
Proponents of Natural Farming
Skeptics of Natural Farming
Market Potential
Proponents of Natural Farming
Natural farming can enhance farmers' income through assured markets and value-chain strengthening
Skeptics of Natural Farming
Market demand for natural produce may not be high enough to support all farmers
Yield and Productivity
Proponents of Natural Farming
Natural farming can improve soil, water, and biodiversity health, leading to long-term productivity gains
Skeptics of Natural Farming
Initial yields may be lower compared to conventional farming, posing a risk to farmers' livelihood
- Initiative
- Hon. Balasaheb Thackeray Agribusiness and Rural Transformation (SMART) Project
- Organizers
- MITRA, VSTF, Palladium Consultancy Pvt. Ltd.
- Policy Goals
- Promote natural farming, enhance income, improve soil health
- Structural Changes Needed
- Tailored agri-finance, assured markets, risk mitigation, policy validation
- Gaps in Natural Farming
- Weak evaluations, unaddressed gaps, lack of structured supply chain