Should India focus on natural farming?

Natural farming, also known as organic or eco-friendly farming, is an agricultural approach that emphasizes sustainable practices, minimal chemical use, and the promotion of biodiversity. Read here to learn if India should focus more on natural farming now.

In the Budget proposals for 2024-25, the Union Finance Minister announced that in the next two years, one crore farmers across the country will be initiated into natural farming supported by certification and branding.

Implementation will be done through scientific institutions and gram panchayats, and 10,000 need-based bio-input resource centres will be established.

Should India focus on natural farming?

As part of the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF), the government intends to motivate farmers to adopt chemical-free farming and draw them towards adopting natural farming willingly on the system’s merit.

The government believes that the success of the NMNF will require a behavioural change in farmers to shift from chemical-based inputs to cow-based, locally-produced inputs.

The natural farming scheme under the ‘Bharatiya Prakritik Krishi Paddhati’ has a total outlay of ₹4,645.69 crore for six years (2019-20 to 2024-25).

National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF)

The National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) is an initiative by the Government of India aimed at promoting chemical-free farming practices to enhance soil health, reduce dependency on chemical inputs, and ensure sustainable agriculture.

This mission is aligned with the larger goals of improving farmer income, ensuring food security, and addressing environmental concerns.

Objectives

• Promote Natural Farming:
  • Encourage farmers to adopt chemical-free farming techniques that are eco-friendly and sustainable.
  • Reduce the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, thereby decreasing the environmental footprint of agriculture.
• Improve Soil Health:
  • Enhance the organic matter content of the soil through chemical-free practices.
  • Restore soil fertility and structure, leading to increased agricultural productivity.
• Sustainable Agriculture:
  • Promote the use of locally available natural resources.
  • Reduce the cost of cultivation and improve the economic viability of farming.
• Increase Farmer Income:
  • Reduce input costs and increase the profitability of farming through sustainable practices.
  • Provide market linkages and support to farmers practising chemical-free farming.

Key Components

• Training and Capacity Building:
  • Conduct training programs and workshops for farmers, extension workers, and other stakeholders.
  • Develop a cadre of master trainers and resource persons to support the dissemination of chemical-free farming techniques.
• Research and Development:
  • Promote research on natural farming methods, including traditional knowledge and modern innovations.
  • Develop and validate natural farming models suitable for different agro-climatic regions.
• Demonstration and Extension:
  • Establish demonstration plots to showcase the benefits and techniques of natural farming.
  • Use extension services to disseminate knowledge and practices to a wider audience.
• Policy Support:
  • Formulate policies and guidelines to support natural farming initiatives.
  • Provide incentives and subsidies to farmers adopting chemical-free farming practices.

Implementation Strategy

• Collaborative Approach:
  • Work in collaboration with state governments, agricultural universities, research institutions, and non-governmental organizations.
  • Involve community-based organizations and farmer groups in the planning and implementation process.
• Monitoring and Evaluation:
  • Establish a robust monitoring and evaluation framework to track the progress and impact of the mission.
  • Use data-driven approaches to assess the effectiveness of interventions and make necessary adjustments.
• Public Awareness and Education:
  • Conduct awareness campaigns to educate the public about the benefits of chemical-free farming.
  • Use various media channels to reach out to a larger audience and promote the mission’s objectives.

Benefits of Natural Farming

• Environmental Sustainability:
  • Reduced Chemical Use: It minimizes the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, reducing soil and water pollution.
  • Soil Health: Practices like crop rotation, use of organic compost, and green manuring improve soil fertility and structure, enhancing long-term agricultural productivity.
  • Biodiversity: Encourages biodiversity by promoting the use of native seeds and supporting various species in the ecosystem.
• Health Benefits:
  • Safe Food: Organic produce is free from harmful chemical residues, making it healthier for consumers.
  • Reduced Health Risks for Farmers: Minimizing exposure to toxic chemicals reduces health risks for farmers and agricultural workers.
• Economic Viability:
  • Cost-Effective: Reduces dependence on expensive chemical inputs, lowering production costs in the long run.
  • Market Demand: Growing consumer demand for organic products can open new markets and improve farmers’ income.
• Resilience to Climate Change:
  • Climate-Resilient Crops: Practices like intercropping and agroforestry enhance resilience to climate change impacts, such as droughts and floods.
  • Carbon Sequestration: Organic farming practices increase carbon sequestration in soils, helping mitigate climate change.

Challenges

• Yield Reduction: The initial transition to natural farming may lead to a temporary reduction in crop yields.
• Knowledge and Training: Farmers need training and support to adopt new practices and manage the transition effectively.
• Certification: Obtaining organic certification can be challenging and expensive for small farmers.
• Supply Chains: Developing robust supply chains and ensuring market access for organic produce is crucial.
• Incentives: Government policies and subsidies currently favour conventional farming; shifting these to support natural farming is essential.
• Research and Development: Investment in R&D for organic farming methods and local crop varieties is needed.

Other Government Initiatives

•  Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY): To promote organic farming through the adoption of cluster-based farming. It provides financial assistance and training to farmers.
• Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER): To develop organic farming clusters and value chains in the North Eastern states.
• Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF): ZBNF promotes farming without external chemical inputs, emphasizing local resources.

Conclusion

Focusing on natural farming can bring multiple environmental, health, and economic benefits to India.

However, successful implementation requires addressing challenges through adequate policy support, market development, and farmer education.

By fostering a more sustainable agricultural model, India can enhance food security, promote rural development, and contribute to global efforts against climate change.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q. Who re-introduced natural farming in India?

Ans: Shri Subhash Palekar is an agricultural scientist who pioneered the concept of Natural Farming in the country. Palekar drew his inspiration from ancient Indian farming techniques, at the heart of which are cow dung and cow urine.

Q. Which states are natural farming in India?

Ans: Several states are practicing Natural Farming. Prominent among them are Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Kerala, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.

Q. What is the concept of natural farming in India?

Ans: Natural farming, also known as organic or eco-friendly farming, is an agricultural approach that emphasizes sustainable practices, minimal chemical use, and the promotion of biodiversity.

Related articles:

• Organic farming
• Green agriculture
• Indian agriculture
• Zero-budget natural farming (Video)
• Vertical farming

-Article by Swathi Satish