{"id":317839,"date":"2024-11-29T19:32:04","date_gmt":"2024-11-29T14:02:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/?p=317839"},"modified":"2024-12-02T11:20:24","modified_gmt":"2024-12-02T05:50:24","slug":"natural-farming-process-advantages-and-challenges","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/natural-farming-process-advantages-and-challenges\/","title":{"rendered":"Natural Farming in India- Explained Pointwise"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Natural<\/p>\n

The Union Cabinet has launched the National Mission on Natural Farming<\/span> (NMNF). NMNF is a standalone Centrally Sponsored Scheme<\/span> under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers\u2019 Welfare, to promote chemical-free natural farming<\/span> across India. The NMNF aims to revolutionize Indian agriculture by fostering chemical-free<\/span>, eco-friendly farming practices<\/span>, reducing input costs<\/span>, improving soil health<\/span>, and contributing to sustainable development<\/span>.<\/p>\n

In this article we will look at what is natural farming. We will delve into the process of natural farming. We will look at the benefits of natural farming and also the challenges associated with natural farming in India<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
Table of Content<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
What is Natural Farming? What are the main pillars of Natural Farming?<\/a>
\nWhat are the similarities and Differences between Organic and Natural Farming?<\/a>
\nWhat are other government initiatives to promote natural Farming in India?<\/a>
\nWhat is the significance of Natural Farming for India?<\/a>
\nWhat are the challenges in adopting natural farming?<\/a>
\nWhat should be done to promote natural farming?<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

<\/a>What is Natural Farming? What are the main pillars of Natural Farming?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

Natural Farming is a chemical-free traditional farming method that relies on minimal external inputs<\/span> and emphasizes sustainability. It is considered as an agroecology based diversified farming system<\/span> which integrates crops<\/span>, trees<\/span> and livestock with functional biodiversity<\/span><\/span>. <\/span>It is largely based on on-farm biomass recycling with major stress on biomassmulching<\/span>, use of on-farm cow dung-urine formulations<\/span>; maintaining soil aeration<\/span> and exclusion of all synthetic chemical inputs<\/span>.<\/p>\n

It is gaining popularity in India due to its reduced cost<\/span>, improved soil health<\/span>, and eco-friendly practices<\/span>. It has many indigenous forms in India, the most popular one is practiced in Andhra Pradesh called Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF).<\/p>\n

Four Pillars of Natural farming<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Jivamrita & Ghanjivamrita<\/strong><\/td>\nA cow dung-based bio-stimulant<\/span> is prepared locally<\/span> by fermenting dung with cow urine<\/span>, jaggery<\/span> and pulses flour<\/span>. The fermented solution when applied to fields increases the microbial count in the soil<\/span>, which supplies the plants with essential nutrients.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Bijamrita<\/strong><\/td>\nSeeds are treated with cow dung-based stimulant<\/span> which protects young roots from fungus and other soil and seed-borne diseases.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Whapsa<\/strong><\/td>\nThe fields are managed to have some green cover around the year to aid carbon capture by plants from the air<\/span> and nurture the soil-carbon-sponge<\/span>. This also keeps the microbes and other organisms like earthworms alive which helps the soil become porous<\/span> and retain more water<\/span>.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Acchadana or Mulching<\/strong><\/td>\nDuring the cultivation of main crops, crop residues are used as mulch<\/span> to retain soil moisture<\/span> and prevent the growth of weeds<\/span>.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
\"Natural
Source- NITI Aayog<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

<\/a>What are the similarities and Differences between Organic and Natural Farming?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

Similarities between Organic and Natural Farming<\/strong><\/p>\n

Organic and Natural farming are both non-chemical systems of farming<\/span>. These are based on diversity<\/span>, on-farm biomass management<\/span> and biological nutrient recycling<\/span>. Diversity, rotation multiple cropping and resource recycling are the key similarities between Organic and Natural Farming.<\/p>\n

Differences between Organic and Natural Farming<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Organic farming<\/strong><\/td>\nNatural farming<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Organic farming is open for use of off-farm organic and biological inputs<\/span>.<\/td>\nNo external inputs is used in natural farming. On-farm inputs based on Desi Cow (Jeevamrit<\/span>, Beejamrit<\/span>, Ghanajeevamrit<\/span>) and biomass recycling through mulching is done.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Organic Farming is open for micronutrient correction<\/span> through use of minerals.<\/td>\nUse of compost\/ vermicompost and minerals<\/span> are not allowed<\/span> in Natural Farming.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Organic farming is widely popular<\/span> with the Global market at US$132 billion.<\/td>\nNatural farming is evolving<\/span> with markets yet to be developed.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

<\/a>What are other government initiatives to promote natural Farming in India?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Bharatiya Prakritik Krishi Paddhati (BPKP)<\/strong><\/td>\nIt is a sub-mission under the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana<\/span> (PKVY) which falls within the umbrella of the National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture<\/span> (NMSA). The scheme aims to promote traditional indigenous practices<\/span>, which give freedom to farmers from externally purchased inputs.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Natural Farming under Namami Gange<\/strong><\/td>\nNatural farming in a five-kilometre belt<\/span> along the Ganga River under the Namami Gange scheme.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
State Government initiatives<\/strong><\/td>\nAndhra Pradesh<\/span> launched natural farming<\/span> as a state policy in 2015<\/span>. The state is now home to the largest number of farmers in India<\/span> who have transitioned from chemical nutrients to applying locally prepared natural inputs<\/span>.
\nFurther, Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh have adopted natural farming as part of the state policy.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Read More- Zero Budget Natural Farming<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a>What is the significance of Natural Farming for India?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

1. Reduction of India\u2019s fertilizer subsidy bill-<\/strong> India\u2019s fertilizer subsidy bill, driven by a spike in natural gas and other raw material prices, was around \u20b91.3 trillion in 2021-22<\/span>. Promoting natural farming can reduce these costs to the exchequer.<\/p>\n

2. Improving small and marginal farmers\u2019 income-<\/strong> It is estimated that natural farming will reduce cost of cultivation by 60-70%<\/span>.\u00a0A study undertaken by Andhra University (which surveyed over 3500 natural and conventional farms) revealed that average net returns from natural farming were 50% higher than conventional farming<\/span>.<\/p>\n

3. Reduced dependence on credit-<\/strong> A panel survey of 260 farm households which were surveyed in 2018-19 and 2019-20, found that natural farming reduced the dependence on credit, freeing many farmers from exploitative and interlinked input and credit markets<\/span>.<\/p>\n

4. More flexible than organic farming-<\/strong> Organic farming is more about certification, while natural farming is a gradual process. But, there is relative flexibility in natural farming for adoption. This makes it easier for small farmers to transition.<\/p>\n

5. Benefit to end consumers-<\/strong> At present, consumers are forced to purchase food with chemical residues in it. Certified organic food is more expensive, but the sheer cost savings in natural farming can ensure safe food at affordable prices<\/span>.<\/p>\n

6. Environmental and Health Benefits-<\/strong> Improved soil health, fertility, and biodiversity due to natural farming will increase resilience to climate risks like waterlogging, floods, and droughts.<\/p>\n

7. Reduction of Ocean acidification-<\/strong> Since natural farming eliminates chemical fertilisers and pesticides, it reduces ocean acidification<\/span> and marine pollution<\/span> from land-based activities<\/span>.<\/p>\n

8. Health Benefits-<\/strong> Reduced exposure to harmful chemicals improves the health of farmers<\/span> and prevents carcinogenic disease.<\/p>\n

<\/a>What are the challenges in adopting natural farming?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

1. Lack of Awareness and Knowledge-<\/strong> Limited access to training<\/span> and capacity-building programs<\/span> hampers their ability to effectively adopt natural farming.<\/p>\n

2. Lack of adequate budgetary support-<\/strong> There is limited support from the Central Government with India\u2019s National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture receiving only 0.8% of the agricultural budget<\/span>.<\/p>\n

3. Economic threats to India’s crop protection industry-<\/strong> India’s crop protection industry is valued at \u20b918,000 crores. Promoting natural methods will threaten the very existence of their entire business ecosystem.<\/p>\n

4. Lack of dedicated supply chains-<\/strong> Natural farming produce often lacks dedicated supply chains and certifications, making it hard to differentiate in the market.<\/p>\n

5. Perceived Lower Yields-<\/strong> There are concerns about the perceived lower yields with the adoption of natural farming.<\/p>\n

<\/a>What should be done to promote natural farming?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

1. Adoption of balanced approach while promoting natural farming-<\/strong> The experience of Sri Lanka must be kept in mind<\/span> where the Government at once prohibited the use and import of chemical fertilizers leading to massive drop in production and shortage of food.<\/p>\n

2. Adequate time and awareness campaigns-<\/strong> The government should provide adequate time<\/span>, promote awareness campaigns<\/span>. Civil Society Organizations<\/span> can be engaged to promote farmer-to-farmer capacity building for sustainable agriculture. The Andhra model of widespread adoption of natural farming can be emulated.<\/p>\n

3. Validation by scientific research-<\/strong> The Indian Council of Agricultural Research should design a curriculum on natural farming.<\/p>\n

4. Shifting the National policy focus from food to nutrition security-<\/strong> Government should support the transition and bear short-term losses. Instead of input-based subsidies for fertilizer and power, the focus should be to incentivize outcomes like nutrition output, water conservation and desertification reversal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Read More- The Indian Express<\/a>
\nUPSC Syllabus- GS 3- Indian Agriculture<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Union Cabinet has launched the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF). NMNF is a standalone Centrally Sponsored Scheme under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers\u2019 Welfare, to promote chemical-free natural farming across India. The NMNF aims to revolutionize Indian agriculture by fostering chemical-free, eco-friendly farming practices, reducing input costs, improving soil health, and contributing… Continue reading Natural Farming in India- Explained Pointwise<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10357,"featured_media":318136,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[130,1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-317839","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-7-pm","category-uncategorized","entry"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Natural-Farming-in-India.png?fit=1280%2C853&ssl=1","views":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/317839","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10357"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=317839"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/317839\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/318136"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=317839"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=317839"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=317839"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}