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The Non-Pesticidal Management (NPM) Project (2019–2022) promoted safe, sustainable and pesticide-free farming while improving the market readiness and incomes of smallholder farmers. Anchored by SEEDS and implemented through the NPM Network, the project was supported by the Bharat Rural Livelihoods Foundation (BRLF).

The initiative worked with small and marginal farmers, women farmers and tribal communities in some of the most vulnerable regions of Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh, aiming to make NPM not only an ecological choice, but a viable and rewarding livelihood option.

Approach to pesticide free farming

Non-Pesticidal Management is an ecological farming approach that eliminates synthetic chemical pesticides. It is based on the understanding that pest problems arise when the natural balance of the crop ecosystem is disturbed.

NPM restores this balance by:

  • Using locally prepared natural bio-inputs
  • Encouraging beneficial insects and natural predators
  • Improving soil health and crop resilience
  • Applying ecological principles from cultivation to post-harvest handling

NPM ensures food that is safe, pesticide-free and environmentally sustainable, benefiting both farmers and consumers.

Project Coverage

  • 22 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs)
  • 3 States,16 Districts, 26 Blocks, 1,105 Villages
  • Focus on both perishable and non-perishable crops

Strengthening Farmer Institutions

  • 19 FPOs strengthened
  • 15,845 farmers mobilised as shareholders
  • Rs.62.32 lakh raised as share capital
  • 14 FPOs initiated business activities
  • 11 partners leveraged government schemes and convergence support
These FPOs now function as community-owned enterprises enabling better aggregation, storage and market negotiation.

Scaling Up NPM Production

NPM adoption expanded significantly across regions and crops: 

  • 39,518 farmers on 19,833 acres (Kharif)
  • 14,659 farmers on 10,035 acres (Rabi)
  • Crops included paddy, millets, pulses, oilseeds, vegetables and spices

To support production: 

  • 47 small-scale and 2 medium-scale bio-input units established
  • Over 56,000 litres of liquid and 22,700 kg of solid bio-inputs produced
  • Reduced dependence on external inputs and lowered cultivation costs

NPM Guarantee System (NGS)

To ensure credibility of pesticide-free produce, the project introduced the NPM Guarantee System (NGS), a community-based quality assurance system that:

  • Confirms adherence to NPM standards
  • Builds trust among buyers and consumers
  • Differentiates NPM produce from conventional produce

Strengthening the Supply Chain

The project strengthened post-harvest and marketing systems through:
  • Training on aggregation, grading, storage and quality checking
  • Introduction of hermetic storage solutions, insect traps and moisture meters
  • Support for processing units and solar-based infrastructure
As a result, 20 out of 22 partners initiated collective marketing and 1,11,834 quintals of NPM produce were marketed during 2021–22.

Impact Beyond Numbers

Beyond scale, the project:
  • Reduced input costs for smallholder farmers
  • Improved farmer and consumer health
  • Strengthened women-led and tribal institutions
  • Built long-term capacity of CSOs and FPOs to scale pesticide-free agriculture
Aspect Details
Project Period 2019 – 2022
Implementing Agency SEEDS through the NPM Network
Donor Bharat Rural Livelihoods Foundation (BRLF)
Working Area Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh
Geographical Coverage 16 Districts, 26 Blocks, 1,105 Villages
Partner Organisations 22 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs)
Primary Beneficiaries Small and marginal farmers, women farmers and tribal communities
Total Farmers Reached 54,177 farmers
Area under NPM 29,868 acres (Kharif and Rabi combined)
Major Crops Covered Paddy, millets, pulses, oilseeds, vegetables, spices and horticultural crops
Farmer Institutions Supported 19 Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs)
FPO Shareholders 15,845 farmers
Bio-input Units Established 47 small-scale and 2 medium-scale units
Bio-inputs Produced Liquid bio-inputs and solid formulations using local materials
Quality Assurance System NPM Guarantee System (NGS)
Supply Chain Support Storage, processing, aggregation and collective marketing
Quantity Marketed 1,11,834 quintals of NPM produce
Key Outcomes Reduced input costs, safer food, stronger farmer institutions and improved market access