India Agriculture Ministry Launches PM-PRANAM Scheme to Reduce Ch...

The Union Ministry of Agriculture formally launched the PM Programme for Restoration, Awareness, Nourishment and Amelioration of Mother Earth (PM-PRANAM), a nationwide incentive scheme designed to shift farmers away from chemical fertilisers toward natural and bio-alternatives. States that reduce chemical fertiliser consumption below their three-year average will receive a grant equivalent to 50% of the subsidy savings generated, to be reinvested in farmer welfare schemes. The scheme targets a 20% reduction in chemical fertiliser consumption nationally by 2028, which would reduce India annual fertiliser import bill by an estimated $4 billion. The Agriculture Ministry has partnered with 1,500 krishi vigyan kendras across the country to provide farmers with free bio-input kits and training. Ten pilot districts in Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Karnataka have already shown 15% reductions in urea use under early trial deployments.