Difference Between Natural and Organic Farming in India

Agencies implementing government schemes like Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) and National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) often encounter confusion. Farmers and stakeholders need clear guidance on the distinctions between natural farming and certified organic farming. This article clarifies the principles, certification pathways, market access, and scheme alignment for both systems.

Natural vs. Organic Farming Principles

Natural farming (prakritik kheti) avoids all external inputs, while organic farming (jaivik kheti) permits specific approved external inputs.

The core difference between natural and organic farming lies in their approach to external inputs. Both aim for sustainable agriculture, but their methodologies diverge significantly.

Natural farming, or prakritik kheti, promotes chemical-free agriculture through reliance on natural ecological processes. It strictly prohibits all synthetic pesticides, fertilisers, and even most organic preparations from outside the farm.

Key practices include using on-farm preparations like Jeevamrut and Beejamrut, mulching, and intercropping. This system focuses on fostering soil microbiology and plant growth using only materials found on or immediately around the farm.

Many practitioners observe significant natural farming benefits, such as reduced cultivation costs and improved soil health over time. It aligns with traditional Indian agricultural wisdom.

In contrast, organic farming, known as jaivik kheti, also prohibits synthetic chemicals. However, it permits the use of certain certified organic inputs, such as approved bio-fertilisers, organic manures, and specific pest control agents.

These inputs must comply with national or international organic standards. Organic farming often involves a more structured approach to nutrient management and pest control, adhering to defined standards.

Natural farming strictly excludes all external inputs, focusing on closed-loop on-farm systems, while organic farming permits approved external organic inputs under certified standards.

Understanding this fundamental distinction is crucial for explaining the different requirements to farmers.

Certification and Standards: NPOP and PGS

Organic farming in India requires formal certification under either the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) or Participatory Guarantee System (PGS-India).

For organic produce to access specific markets, formal certification is mandatory. India operates two primary certification systems for organic agriculture.

National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP)

NPOP is India’s national organic standard, administered by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA). It is largely an export-oriented certification. Operations under NPOP undergo third-party auditing by accredited Control Bodies.

These bodies verify compliance with detailed NPOP standards. Farmers often participate through an Internal Control System (ICS) managed by an exporter or a Cluster Based Business Organisation (CBBO).

NPOP certification provides international recognition, allowing farmers to export their produce. Obtaining a Registration-cum-Membership Certificate (RCMC) from APEDA is necessary for organic exports. This pathway is suitable for farmers targeting export markets or large domestic retailers requiring NPOP certification.

Participatory Guarantee System for India (PGS-India)

PGS-India is a peer-guaranteed organic certification system for domestic markets. It is administered by the National Centre for Organic and Natural Farming (NCOF). Under PGS, groups of farmers certify each other based on shared organic standards.

The process involves mutual inspections, record-keeping, and local decision-making. PGS-India registration and data management occur through the pgsindia-ncof.gov.in portal.

You, as an implementing agency, help farmer groups establish and operate their PGS local groups. This includes ensuring correct registration, land record (7/12 extract, khasra, patta) uploads, and regular progress reporting. Checking each land record for accuracy can take about two minutes per farmer.

For a new group of 50 farmers, this is nearly two hours of dedicated work. For several hundred farmers across multiple blocks, this task becomes a full day or more, repeating during renewal cycles.

Natural farming, conversely, does not currently have a formal, universally recognized certification system akin to NPOP or PGS. It often relies on farmer self-declarations or local verification mechanisms for trust-building.

Scheme Alignment: PKVY, NMNF, MOVCDNER

Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) and Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER) support certified organic farming, while National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) promotes natural farming practices.

Government schemes play a vital role in promoting sustainable agriculture. Understanding their specific focus is critical for project success and accurate reporting.

Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY)

PKVY is a flagship scheme promoting certified organic farming through the PGS-India system. It supports cluster formation, capacity building, and input provision for farmers transitioning to organic. If you are implementing PKVY, your project goals involve guiding farmers through the PGS certification process.

This includes facilitating their registration on the pgsindia-ncof.gov.in portal, maintaining detailed farmer profiles, and ensuring adherence to PGS standards. Progress reporting for PKVY focuses on PGS group development, farmer certification status, and organic area under cultivation.

You can find detailed guidance on registering clusters under PKVY in our article: PGS India Portal Guide: PKVY Cluster Registration.

National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF)

NMNF focuses on promoting natural farming principles across India. This mission supports farmers adopting practices that eliminate synthetic inputs entirely. Key activities under NMNF include Farmer Field Schools (FFS), training, and promotion of on-farm input preparation.

Unlike PKVY, NMNF does not require farmers to pursue formal NPOP or PGS certification. Instead, it emphasises the adoption of the four pillars of natural farming: Jeevamrut, Beejamrut, mulching, and soil aeration.

For NMNF projects, farmer registration and progress reporting typically involve platforms like the Kkisan portal. Your reporting focuses on farmer enrollment in FFS, adoption rates of natural farming practices, and conversion of acreage to natural farming. This distinct approach highlights the NMNF vs PKVY difference in core objectives.

Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER)

MOVCDNER is specifically designed for the North Eastern Region to develop certified organic production and value chains. Similar to PKVY, this scheme supports farmers in obtaining organic certification, often through NPOP or PGS, to facilitate market linkages. Implementing agencies under MOVCDNER focus on cluster development, infrastructure for post-harvest management, and market access for certified organic produce from the region.

Market Access and Stakeholder Communication

Certified organic produce (NPOP, PGS) has wider market access, including export, while natural farming typically targets direct local sales.

The choice between natural and organic farming has direct implications for market access. This understanding helps you guide farmers effectively.

Produce certified under NPOP gains access to international markets. It is also recognised by major domestic retailers and e-commerce platforms.

This certification assures consumers of adherence to global organic standards. For exports, an APEDA RCMC is essential.

PGS-India certified produce is designed for the domestic market. It helps farmers sell locally, often directly to consumers or through local retail networks. The PGS logo builds consumer trust within India for truly local organic produce.

Natural farming produce, without a formal certification, primarily relies on direct marketing channels. Farmers often build trust with consumers through personal relationships, farm visits, and transparency in practices.

While highly sustainable, the lack of a uniform certification framework can limit access to larger, organised retail or export markets. When farmers ask, "Does organic mean 100% natural?" you can explain that while both are chemical-free, 'organic' adheres to specific, verifiable standards allowing approved external inputs, which 'natural' generally does not.

Communicating these distinctions to farmers is vital. Clearly explain the requirements for each system, the associated government scheme support (PKVY/PGS or NMNF), and the potential market opportunities. This empowers farmers to choose the approach best suited to their resources and market goals.

Questions People Ask

What are the differences between organic farming and natural farming?

Organic farming (jaivik kheti) allows certified external organic inputs and requires formal certification like NPOP or PGS. Natural farming (prakritik kheti) strictly prohibits all external inputs and relies on on-farm preparations.

What is the difference between organic and natural?

"Organic" implies adherence to a set of verifiable standards that allow certain approved natural inputs and require certification. "Natural farming" signifies an agricultural method that avoids all external inputs and focuses on natural ecological processes, often without formal certification.

Which state is 100% organic in India?

Sikkim became the first 100% organic state in India, transitioning its entire agricultural land to certified organic practices.

Does organic mean 100% natural?

While organic farming is natural in its exclusion of synthetic chemicals, it is not "100% natural" in the sense of natural farming. Organic farming permits specific approved external inputs, which natural farming strictly avoids.

Navigating the distinctions between natural and organic farming is essential for agencies implementing government schemes in India. Clear understanding of these differences enables accurate project planning, farmer guidance, and compliance with scheme requirements.

KrushiFlow validates these fields and submits farmer records to the portal in bulk, streamlining compliance reporting.