Episode 9 of 30Chapter 2 · Registering Farmers
ForNMNF agencies and CBBOsLevelBeginner

Farmers move between clusters or leave the scheme. Transferring or removing them on the portal has to be done carefully to keep records consistent. This guide covers both, and when each is appropriate.

The short version

  1. Transfer when a farmer moves — do not delete and re-register.
  2. Remove only after verification and with a recorded reason.
  3. Check the farmer's status before any change.
  4. Keep documentation for every transfer or removal.
Test yourself

Understanding NMNF Farmer Management on the Portal

Cluster data on the portal must match reality; transfers and removals are the two ways to change membership.

The National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) promotes chemical-free agriculture across India. Its success relies on robust data management.

Implementing agencies, often Cluster Based Business Organisations (CBBOs), manage farmer clusters on the NMNF portal, naturalfarming.dac.gov.in. Certification of natural farming groups under PGS-India is a separate step, on pgsindia-ncof.gov.in.

Accurate record-keeping is critical for compliance and certification. Peer appraisal and certification depend on precise farmer details.

Incorrect or outdated records can lead to audit mismatches and hinder farmer certification processes. Therefore, knowing how to correctly adjust farmer status or cluster assignment is vital.

Manual Steps to Transfer an NMNF Farmer Between Clusters

Confirm the farmer's status, move the profile to the new cluster, and verify it appears correctly there.

Transferring an NMNF farmer involves moving their existing profile from one registered cluster to another. This process is necessary when a farmer changes their primary farming location or reorganises their involvement within the scheme.

Before initiating a transfer, confirm the farmer's current status and their eligibility for the destination cluster. You must have access credentials for the relevant CBBO or Cluster In-charge account on the pgsindia-ncof.gov.in portal.

Verifying each farmer's land details, crop history, and certification status is crucial before a transfer. This manual check helps prevent data inconsistencies and portal rejections.

For example, checking 15 data points per farmer for a group of 100 farmers can consume over 20 hours of focused work. This extensive verification effort repeats for every batch of transfers.

Refer to our related article for detailed verification guidelines: NMNF farmer verification: Manual steps for peer appraisal.

  1. Log In to the Portal: Access the pgsindia-ncof.gov.in portal using your CBBO or Cluster In-charge credentials.
  2. Navigate to Farmer Management: Locate the "Farmer Management" or "Farmer Details" section in the main menu.
  3. Search for the Farmer: Use the farmer's unique ID, Aadhaar number, or name to find their existing record within the current cluster.
  4. Select Farmer Record: Click on the specific farmer's profile to view their details.
  5. Initiate Transfer Option: Look for an option such as "Transfer Farmer," "Change Cluster," or a similar function within the farmer's profile actions.
  6. Choose Destination Cluster: A dropdown or search field will appear. Select the target NMNF cluster to which the farmer will be moved.
  7. Provide Reason for Transfer: Enter a clear, concise reason for the transfer. This is mandatory for audit trails and record integrity.
  8. Review and Confirm: Carefully review all details, including the farmer's data and the selected destination cluster.
  9. Submit Transfer Request: Confirm and submit the transfer request. The portal may require an OTP verification.
  10. Monitor Status: Track the transfer request status. Approval may be required from the destination cluster's in-charge or a higher authority.

Upon successful transfer, the farmer's profile will be associated with the new cluster. Their historical data and certification status usually migrate with the record. The farmer will no longer appear in the original cluster's active farmer list.

Manual Steps to Delete or Remove an NMNF Farmer from a Cluster

Remove a farmer only for a permanent exit, non-compliance or a duplicate record, after verification and with documentation.

Removing a farmer from an NMNF cluster is a sensitive operation. It is typically required when a farmer permanently exits natural farming, is found to be non-compliant, or duplicates an existing record. This action should only be taken after careful verification and documentation.

Farmer deletion or removal from a cluster requires robust justification. This ensures compliance with PGS-India standards and maintains the integrity of the Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) records for ongoing and historical audits. Complete documentation must be retained locally.
  1. Log In to the Portal: Access the pgsindia-ncof.gov.in portal with your CBBO or Cluster In-charge credentials.
  2. Access Farmer Records: Navigate to the "Farmer Management" or "View Farmers" section.
  3. Locate Farmer Profile: Search for the farmer using their unique ID, Aadhaar number, or name. Ensure you select the correct record.
  4. Select Deletion Option: Within the farmer's profile, find the "Delete Farmer," "Remove from Cluster," or similar action button. This option may be under an "Actions" menu.
  5. Enter Deletion Reason: A mandatory field will prompt you to enter a detailed reason for the farmer's removal. This reason must be clear and justifiable (e.g., "Farmer ceased natural farming activities," "Duplicate entry detected," "Non-compliance identified").
  6. Attach Supporting Documents (If Applicable): Some deletions may require uploading supporting documents, such as a farmer's written request or a verification report.
  7. Review and Confirm: Double-check the farmer's identity and the deletion reason. This action is usually irreversible.
  8. Submit Deletion Request: Confirm the submission. An OTP or higher authority approval might be necessary to finalise the deletion.
  9. Verify Removal: After submission, check your cluster's farmer list to ensure the farmer's record no longer appears.

Once a farmer is deleted, their record may be archived or permanently removed, depending on portal functionality. Ensure your local records reflect this change, including the date and reason for removal. This process is vital for maintaining accurate farmer counts and ensuring compliance for your cluster.


Accurate and timely farmer data management is fundamental for the successful implementation of NMNF, PKVY, and MOVCDNER schemes. Following these manual procedures carefully minimises errors and maintains data integrity on the pgsindia-ncof.gov.in portal. Consistent attention to detail is required for all transfer and deletion operations.

Check yourself

Tap an answer to see whether you are right, and why.

A farmer moves to a village in another cluster. What do you do?

  1. Delete and re-register
  2. Transfer the existing profile
  3. Nothing

Transferring keeps the farmer's history; re-registering creates a duplicate.

Remember these things

  • Transfer, don't re-register.
  • Remove only with a documented reason.
  • Verify the result after every change.

Careful membership changes keep cluster records accurate. KrushiFlow validates these fields and submits farmer records to the portal in bulk.

Up next · Episode 10Fixing NMNF Portal Baseline Submission Errors
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