Bio-Input Resource Centres

Source: DTE

Context: The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare released guidelines for setting up Bio-Input Resource Centres (BRCs) to promote natural farming under the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF).

About Bio-Input Resource Centres:

• What is Bio-Input Resource Centres?

• BRCs are cluster-level enterprises that provide farmers with locally prepared natural farming inputs like bio-fertilizers, bio-pesticides, and organic formulations. They also act as knowledge hubs to train and guide farmers transitioning to natural farming practices.

• BRCs are cluster-level enterprises that provide farmers with locally prepared natural farming inputs like bio-fertilizers, bio-pesticides, and organic formulations.

• They also act as knowledge hubs to train and guide farmers transitioning to natural farming practices.

• Established Under: Launched under the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF).

• Objectives:

• Facilitate easy availability of quality bio-inputs for farmers. Support farmers with technical knowledge on natural farming methods. Promote the scaling-up of natural farming practices across villages.

• Facilitate easy availability of quality bio-inputs for farmers.

• Support farmers with technical knowledge on natural farming methods.

• Promote the scaling-up of natural farming practices across villages.

• Features:

• Financial Support: Rs. 1 lakh per centre in two tranches of Rs. 50,000 each. Entrepreneur Eligibility: Must practice or be willing to adopt natural farming. Customized Inputs: Inputs to be developed based on local soil, crop patterns, and farmer needs. Training Support: Train farmers on botanical extracts, bio-input preparations, and pest management tools. For-Profit Model: BRCs are intended to be sustainable ventures supporting local economies. Market Facilitation: Explore convergence with FPOs, SRLMs, and agriculture marketing boards.

• Financial Support: Rs. 1 lakh per centre in two tranches of Rs. 50,000 each.

• Entrepreneur Eligibility: Must practice or be willing to adopt natural farming.

• Customized Inputs: Inputs to be developed based on local soil, crop patterns, and farmer needs.

• Training Support: Train farmers on botanical extracts, bio-input preparations, and pest management tools.

• For-Profit Model: BRCs are intended to be sustainable ventures supporting local economies.

• Market Facilitation: Explore convergence with FPOs, SRLMs, and agriculture marketing boards.

About National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF)

• What is NMNF?

• NMNF is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme aimed at promoting chemical-free, sustainable agriculture rooted in local agro-ecology and indigenous knowledge.

• Objectives:

• Promote natural farming to ensure safe and nutritious food. Reduce dependency on external chemical inputs and lower cultivation costs. Build healthy soil ecosystems, promote biodiversity, and enhance climate resilience.

• Promote natural farming to ensure safe and nutritious food.

• Reduce dependency on external chemical inputs and lower cultivation costs.

• Build healthy soil ecosystems, promote biodiversity, and enhance climate resilience.