Natural farming, also referred to as Zero-Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) or Bhartiya Prakritik Krishi Paddhati Programme (BPKP) in India, is a chemical-free and livestock-based farming system. Other relevant concepts in this context include Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY), Carbon Sequestration, and the National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture. Recently, the Ministry for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare inaugurated the Comprehensive Training Programme on Natural Farming, courtesy of the National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE).
What is Natural Farming?
Natural Farming is a farming technique that is free from synthetic chemicals and is deeply rooted in agro-ecology. Introduced by Masanobu Fukuoka in his 1975 book, The One-Straw Revolution, natural farming integrates crops, trees, and livestock leveraging functional biodiversity. Globally recognized as a form of regenerative agriculture, the technique holds the potential to restore soil fertility, environmental health, and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.
Significance of Natural Farming
The benefits of natural farming are manifold. Firstly, it minimizes production costs, making it a cost-effective farming practice while creating more employment opportunities in rural areas. It also ensures better health by eliminating health risks associated with the use of synthetic chemicals. Notably, Natural Farming reduces water consumption through diverse crops that prevent unnecessary water loss through evaporation. It rejuvenates soil health by impacting the biology of the soil and preserving living organisms like microbes and earthworms. Additionally, it aids in environmental conservation with smaller carbon and nitrogen footprints, coupled with improved livestock sustainability.
Differences between Natural Farming and Organic Farming
While organic farming uses organic fertilizers and manures, natural farming abstains from adding any external fertilizers to the soil. Unlike organic farming, which requires basic agri-practices like plowing, no such practices are necessary in natural farming. While organic farming is costlier due to the requirement of bulk manures, natural farming is an extremely low-cost method.
Other Initiatives related to Agriculture
Several initiatives have been taken to enhance agricultural productivity. These include Rainfed Area Development (RAD) focusing on Integrated Farming System (IFS), Sub-mission on Agro Forestry (SMAF), National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA), Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER), and the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY).
The Way Forward
As the world population is predicted to reach 10 billion by 2050, there would be an anticipated increase of about 50% in agricultural demand. Hence, a shift towards ‘holistic’ approaches such as agro-ecology, agroforestry, climate-smart agriculture, and conservation agriculture is imperative. Strengthening agricultural market infrastructure and extending the procurement mechanism to all foodgrain and non-foodgrain crops to all States is necessary. Linking MGNREGS (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) with farm work can also be beneficial in controlling the escalating cultivation cost.