{"id":233839,"date":"2023-03-24T14:44:56","date_gmt":"2023-03-24T09:14:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.forumias.com\/?page_id=233839"},"modified":"2023-03-24T14:44:56","modified_gmt":"2023-03-24T09:14:56","slug":"zero-budget-natural-farming","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/zero-budget-natural-farming\/","title":{"rendered":"Zero Budget Natural Farming"},"content":{"rendered":"

Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) is a set of farming methods that uses only natural and locally available inputs.<\/p>\n

‘Zero Budget’ means farmers need not spend any credit on buying inputs.<\/p>\n

Input-intensive farming has resulted in reduced productivity, high input costs, increased dependence on credit to purchase seeds, insecticides and pesticides, lowering of groundwater levels and decline of local agro-biodiversity<\/p>\n

ZBNF aims to generate a sustainable ecosystem that protects soil fertility, plant growth and fertility. It came to the forefront in India due to the efforts of Subash Palekar.<\/p>\n

Zero Budget Natural Farming: Four Pillars<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Jeevamrutha (Natural Fertilizer)<\/strong><\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • It is a fermented microbial culture. It is made from cow dung, urine, jaggery, pulse flour and soil.<\/li>\n
  • It promotes microbial activities to generate nutrients and protects against pathogens.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Beejamrita (Seed Treatment<\/strong>)<\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • It is microbial coating for seeds. The coating is made from cow dung, urine, lime and soil.<\/li>\n
  • It protects young plant roots from fungus and seed-borne or soil-borne diseases.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Acchadana (Mulching)<\/strong><\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • It refers to covering the top soil with dead matters of any living organism (plants, animals).<\/li>\n
  • It produces humus, conserves top-soil, increases water retention, encourages soil fauna and prevents the growth of weeds.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Waaphasa (Soil aeration)<\/strong><\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Waaphasa means the mixture of 50 % air and 50 % water vapour in the cavities between two soil particles.<\/li>\n
  • It helps in reducing the amount of water that needs to be provided through irrigation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

    Zero Budget Natural Farming: Models in India<\/h2>\n

    Karnataka Model:<\/strong><\/p>\n

      \n
    • ZBNF was started as a grassroot movement in Karnataka by the efforts of Subhas Palekar and Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha (KRRS).<\/li>\n
    • It started as a rural movement among middle and small landholding peasants.<\/li>\n
    • It developed independently without the support of large NGOs or donors.<\/li>\n
    • It has led to yield improvements, reduction in input costs, rise in farm incomes, etc.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Andhra Pradesh Model:<\/strong><\/p>\n

        \n
      • Andhra Pradesh\u2019s programme on ZBNF is led by Rythu Sadhikara Samstha (RySS) , which was established by the<\/li>\n
      • It will be supported by the Sustainable India Finance Facility (SIFF) \u2013 a partnership between UN Environment, BNP Paribas, and the World Agroforestry<\/li>\n
      • The government has set a target to transition 6 million farms\/farmers cultivating 8 million hectares of land from conventional agriculture to Zero-Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) by 2024.<\/li>\n
      • It will make Andhra Pradesh India\u2019s first 100 percent natural farming<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        Zero Budget Natural Farming: Features<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
        Inter-cropping<\/strong><\/td>\n\n
          \n
        • \u00a0It refers to growing various crops simultaneously on a given piece of land.<\/li>\n
        • E.g. Growing crops such as millets and red gram, along with chilies and tomatoes on the same land.<\/li>\n
        • It helps in higher yields, greater incomes and nutritional support.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
        Contours and Bunds<\/strong><\/td>\n\n
          \n
        • It helps in preserving rainwater and promotes water-use efficiency.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
        Cow dung<\/strong><\/td>\n\n
          \n
        • ZBNF includes the practice of jeevamrutha which requires the use of local cow dung and urine.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
        Soil moisture<\/strong><\/td>\n\n
          \n
        • ZBNF includes the practice of waaphasa. It helps in moisture retention.<\/li>\n
        • Since it involves less use of water, it is highly helpful in drought-prone areas.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
        Local species of earthworms<\/strong><\/td>\n\n
          \n
        • ZBNF includes the practice of replenishing the local earthworms on the farm.<\/li>\n
        • It would help in increasing the organic matter in the soil and thus increase soil\u2019s capacity to retain moisture.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
        Water body replenishment<\/strong><\/td>\n\n