The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has issued guidance on regenerative agriculture, a farming approach aimed at rebuilding soil health and strengthening agricultural systems against climate stress. The push comes as India’s agriculture sector seeks to sustain productivity growth while addressing challenges of soil degradation, chemical dependence, and climate variability that affect millions of small and marginal farmers.
What regenerative agriculture involves
Regenerative agriculture differs from sustainable farming. While sustainable farming aims to maintain current conditions, regenerative farming actively rebuilds soil health, enhances biodiversity, and strengthens ecosystem resilience. Key principles include minimizing soil disturbance, protecting plant roots, maintaining soil cover, integrating livestock, limiting chemical use, and improving biodiversity.
The approach encompasses several practice categories:
- Water efficiency: Micro-irrigation systems like drip and sprinkler irrigation reduce water wastage and improve drought resilience.
- Natural farming: A chemical-free system using on-farm biological inputs and traditional seed varieties, with pest management through botanical formulations.
- Soil management: Green manuring, cover cropping, and mulching improve soil fertility and carbon storage.
- Integrated farming: Combining crops, livestock, fisheries, and activities like agroforestry to maximize resource use and diversify income.
- Climate-resilient agriculture: Balanced nutrient use, efficient water management, and conservation practices to withstand climate stress.
Government schemes and progress
As of March 2026, the National Mission on Natural Farming has formed 18,786 clusters covering 8.80 lakh hectares with 18.19 lakh enrolled farmers. The scheme provides an output-based incentive of ₹4,000 per acre per year for two years, with support for 10,000 bio-input resource centres and training for 33,676 community resource persons.
The Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana supports organic farming with ₹31,500 per hectare over three years. As of October 2025, 16.90 lakh hectares have been covered since the scheme’s 2015 launch.
Per Drop More Crop, implemented since 2015-16, has covered approximately 109 lakh hectares as of May 2026, with ₹26,325 crore in central assistance released for micro-irrigation systems. Government provides 55% subsidy to small and marginal farmers and 45% to others.
Since inception, 25.89 crore Soil Health Cards have been generated to guide farmers on soil management.
What this means for you
If you are a farmer, particularly smallholder, these schemes offer financial support to transition toward regenerative practices, reduce input costs through better soil and water management, and build resilience against unpredictable weather. Lower dependence on chemical fertilizers and pesticides can improve long-term farm profitability. If you study agriculture or policy, understanding regenerative agriculture is increasingly relevant to India’s food security and climate commitments.