Bio-input Resource Centres (BRCs)
Context:
Recently, while announcing the Union Budget 2023-24, the government had proposed to set up 10,000 Bio-Input Resource Centres (BRCs) to promote Natural Farming (NF) across India.
Relevance:
GS-02 (Government policies and interventions)
About BRCs:
- BRCs are cluster-level enterprises that provide biological and organic farming inputs to farmers within a defined local area.
- They are a part of the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) that promotes chemical-free and sustainable agriculture.
- Functions of BRCs:
- Maintain and sell bio-fertiliser and bio-pesticide cultures.
- Prepare and sell ready-to-use organic inputs.
- Provide training to farmers on botanical and animal-based inputs.
- Disseminate knowledge on natural farming.
- Sell traps, lures, and other pest control tools.
Key Features of Guidelines:
- Financial Support: ₹1 lakh per BRC (excluding infrastructure costs).
- Convergence: With schemes like
- 10,000 FPO scheme
- National Mission on Edible Oilseeds, etc.
- Bio-Input Customization: As per local land use, soil type, and crop systems.
- Entrepreneur Criteria: Must be a practicing natural farmer or have relevant NF experience.
Significance:
- The initiation will prove effective in addressing issues like training and market access and aids easy transition to natural farming.
- Helps farmers get easy access to organic inputs.
- This move shall inculcate sustainable practice in the farming techniques.
Also know:
National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF):
- It was launched in November 2024 under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare.
- The aim of the scheme is to promote chemical-free farming.
- It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme.
- Financial Outlay: A total allocation of ₹2,481 crore has been approved up to FY 2025-26.
- Objectives:
- Minimize input costs by reducing chemical usage.
- Inculcate eco-friendly practices and organic methods.
- Restore soil health, promote biodiversity, and improve climate resilience.
- Operational Framework
- Form 15,000 clusters across various Gram Panchayats.
- Train 1 crore farmers and promote natural farming over 7.5 lakh hectares.
- Set up 10,000 Bio-Resource Centres (BRCs) to ensure access to bio-inputs.
- Engage 30,000 Krishi Sakhis for farmer mobilization and support.
Prelims Question:
Q. With reference to Bio-Resource Centres (BRCs) being promoted under the Union Budget 2023-24, consider the following statements:
- They provide synthetic fertilizers and pesticides at subsidized rates.
- BRCs offer training and knowledge sharing related to natural farming.
- A financial assistance of ₹1 lakh is given for setting up BRCs excluding infrastructure costs.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (b) 2 and 3 only
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