Natural Farming Is Growing, Can Certification Help Farmers Get Better Prices?

Natural farming is expanding across India, but producing without synthetic inputs is only one part of the challenge. Farmers also need buyers who are willing to recognise the value of their produce. Certification can help create that link by giving farmers a formal way to show how their crops were produced.

A farmer may follow natural farming practices, but a buyer cannot always verify them simply by looking at the crop. Certification provides a documented process that can help establish production practices and improve trust between farmers and buyers.

The government has created the Natural Farming Certification System under the National Mission on Natural Farming. More than 22.47 lakh farmers had registered under the system by 2025-26, with over 14.43 lakh farmers certified.

This does not mean every certified farmer will automatically receive a higher price. Market demand, crop quality, location and access to buyers still matter. Certification is better understood as one tool that can help farmers reach markets where production standards are important.

The National Mission on Natural Farming has grown quickly. During 2025-26, 18,893 clusters covering 10.32 lakh hectares were formed, involving 20.93 lakh farmers. The government also reported that more than 33 lakh farmers had been made aware of natural farming practices.

The system is also supported by Community Resource Persons and Bio-input Resource Centres. These local structures can help farmers learn how to prepare and use inputs such as Beejamrit and Jeevamrit rather than depending entirely on purchased products.

This local support is important because changing farming practices can be difficult without practical guidance. Farmers need to know what to apply, when to apply it and how to manage crops when pest or disease pressure increases.

What Is Being Discussed Today?

The National Conference on Natural Farming 2026 begins in Meghalaya today and will continue until September 11. More than 400 participants from 21 states and 51 agricultural institutions are expected to attend.

The conference is focusing on soil health, biodiversity, climate change, farm income, seeds, plant protection, integrated farming and certification. Organisers have also stressed the need for scientific validation and economically viable natural farming systems.

For farmers, the discussion around markets may be especially important. A practice becomes easier to sustain when farmers can see a clear economic benefit. Lower input costs can help, but reliable buyers and better market access can make the transition more attractive.

Farmers should not adopt natural farming only because a certificate may help with marketing. The first question should be whether the farming method suits their soil, crop, water availability and local conditions.

Natural farming also requires careful crop management. Farmers need to monitor pests, diseases, weeds and soil fertility. Simply stopping chemical fertilisers and pesticides without replacing their functions through suitable practices can reduce yields in some situations.

Farmers should therefore learn the recommended practices before making a complete transition. KVKs, agricultural universities and trained Community Resource Persons can provide guidance on locally suitable methods.

Farmers who are unsure about natural farming can begin with a small part of their land. They can compare input costs, crop growth, pest pressure and final yield with their conventional fields.

Keeping records is important. Farmers should note the quantity and cost of seeds, fertilisers, plant protection materials, labour, irrigation and other inputs. They should then compare the final returns rather than judging the system only by crop appearance.

FPOs Can Help With the Market

Individual farmers may struggle to find buyers for small quantities of certified produce. Farmer Producer Organisations can aggregate produce from several farms and sell larger quantities to traders, retailers or processors.

FPOs can also help with cleaning, grading, packaging and branding. These steps can make it easier to approach organised markets where buyers require consistent quality and documentation.

The government has also linked natural farming with market access and certification under the NMNF. The wider FPO network can provide another route for farmers to move from production to collective marketing.

Natural farming will become more attractive to farmers when they can see clear results in their own fields. Certification can support market access, but it cannot guarantee higher prices.

Farmers should look at the complete calculation. If input costs fall while yields remain stable and a reliable buyer is available, natural farming may improve farm returns. If yields fall sharply or markets do not reward the produce, the economics may be different.

The next stage for natural farming is therefore not just increasing the number of farmers. It is helping farmers produce consistently, verify their practices, reduce unnecessary costs and connect with buyers who value those efforts.