Recently, the Union Government launched the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) to promote its pet project of natural farming. 

• The NMNF will be a standalone centrally-sponsored scheme under the Ministry of Agriculture and it will have a total outlay of ₹2,481 crore.

About Natural Farming

• Natural Farming is a chemical-free and livestock-based farming approach.
• It integrates crops, trees, and livestock, promoting biodiversity and agro-ecological balance.
• It is considered a form of regenerative agriculture globally, focusing on restoring soil health and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
• It was introduced by Masanobu Fukuoka in his book The One-Straw Revolution (1975).
• It is promoted in India as Bhartiya Prakritik Krishi Paddhati Programme (BPKP) under Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) to encourage traditional practices and minimize external inputs.

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Comparison of Natural Farming, Conventional Farming, and Organic Farming

Challenges of Natural Farming

• Reduction in yields:
  • Farmers in regions like Sikkim, which transitioned to organic farming, reported a decline in yields.
  • The lower productivity has led some farmers to revert to conventional farming methods.
• Uncertain Economic Benefits:
  • While Natural Farming helps maintain soil fertility, its ability to boost productivity and increase farmers’ incomes remains inconclusive.
  • Yield fluctuations discourage many farmers from adopting this approach.
• Difficulties in Preparing Inputs:
  • Preparing bio-inputs such as Jeevamrit and Beejamrit requires time, effort, and resources, which many farmers find challenging.
  • The lack of readily available natural inputs often forces farmers to depend on external suppliers, increasing costs.
• Nutrient Deficiencies:
  • Studies suggest that natural inputs may provide fewer nutrients compared to chemical fertilizers, particularly in high-input farming systems.
  • Over time, large-scale nutrient deficiencies could result in reduced yields, threatening food security.
• Farmer Resistance to Change:
  • Shifting from chemical-based farming to Natural Farming requires significant changes in mindset and practices, which many farmers are reluctant to adopt.
  • A lack of awareness and training further hampers the transition process.
• Infrastructure Challenges:
  • The availability of bio-input resource centers is limited, making it difficult for farmers to access essential inputs.
  • Certification and branding mechanisms for natural farming produce are not well-developed, limiting market access and profitability.

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Significance of Natural Farming

• Economic Benefits:
  • Natural Farming reduces the cost of production by minimizing the need for expensive chemical inputs.
  • It creates employment opportunities in rural areas through enterprises for natural input preparation, value addition, and local marketing.
• Health Advantages:
  • Since Natural Farming does not use synthetic fertilizers or pesticides, it eliminates health risks associated with chemical exposure.
  • The produce from Natural Farming has higher nutritional value, which benefits both farmers and consumers.
• Environmental Sustainability:
• • Natural Farming restores soil fertility and enhances biological activity in the soil.
  • It promotes biodiversity by integrating crops, trees, and livestock into the farming system.
• Climate Resilience:
  • Natural Farming enhances the resilience of crops to extreme weather conditions like droughts, floods, and cyclones.
  • It uses sustainable practices, such as organic carbon addition and plant diversity, to strengthen soil structure and improve long-term farming viability.
• Livestock Integration:
  • Livestock plays a crucial role in Natural Farming by providing eco-friendly inputs such as cow dung and urine for preparing bio-fertilizers like Jeevamrit and Beejamrit.

Government Initiatives to Promote Natural Farming in India

• Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY):
  • The scheme was launched in 2015 as part of the National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA).
  • This scheme promotes organic farming and natural farming practices.
  • It provides financial assistance to farmers for adopting organic and natural farming practices.
  • It also supports certification and market linkages for organic and natural produce.
• Bhartiya Prakritik Krishi Paddhati Programme (BPKP)
• • Launched under Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) to promote traditional and indigenous farming practices.
  • Aims to reduce the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides by encouraging the use of bio-inputs like Jeevamrit and Beejamrit.
  • Focuses on preserving soil health and reducing the cost of cultivation for farmers.
• Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF)
  • Promoted as part of government initiatives to reduce farmers’ dependency on costly chemical inputs.
  • Focuses on using locally sourced inputs and natural techniques to minimize production costs.
• Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER):
  • It was launched during 2015-16 and has helped in bringing 1.73 lakh ha area under organic farming benefiting 1.89 lakh farmers.
  • This scheme specifically targets the North Eastern Region of India.
  • It promotes organic farming and value addition to organic products.
  • It provides financial assistance for infrastructure development, capacity building, and market linkages.
• Madhya Pradesh’s Organic Farming Model
  • Madhya Pradesh has been promoting natural farming practices under its Prakritik Krishi Padhati program. 
  • The state encourages the use of organic fertilizers, reduced chemical dependency, and crop rotation.
• Sikkim Organic Farming
  • Sikkim, India’s first fully organic state, adopted natural farming on a large scale. The state completely eliminated the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, promoting organic farming practices.
  • The government provides support for certification, training, and market linkages for organic products.

Key models of Natural Farming

Masanobu Fukuoka’s “Do-Nothing Farming”

• Fukuoka’s approach, also known as “Do-Nothing Farming”, focuses on minimizing human intervention in farming processes, relying on natural cycles and allowing the land to regenerate itself.
• Core Principles:
  • No plowing, no fertilizers, no pesticides, and no irrigation.
  • Emphasizes soil health, biodiversity, and natural pest control.
  • Encourages a holistic approach where crops, weeds, and pests are seen as part of the natural ecosystem, allowing the land to sustain itself.

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Subhash Palekar’s Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF)

• ZBNF is a farming method developed by Indian agriculturist Subhash Palekar, aimed at making farming financially viable and environmentally sustainable without the need for external inputs like fertilizers and pesticides.
• Core Principles:
  • Zero cost input: Uses locally available natural resources like cow dung, urine, and other organic materials for fertilizers and pesticides.
  • Soil health: Focuses on improving soil through practices like mulching, crop rotation, and composting.
  • Livestock integration: Livestock is central to the model for providing natural inputs and maintaining soil fertility.
  • Water conservation: Implements techniques like mulching to conserve soil moisture.

Korean Natural Farming (KNF)

• Korean Natural Farming (KNF) is a method developed by Cho Han Kyu that emphasizes the use of indigenous microorganisms (IMOs) and natural inputs to enhance soil health and crop productivity.
• Core Principles:
  • Focuses on creating indigenous microorganisms (IMOs) to boost soil health.
  • Uses natural inputs like fermented plant extracts, fish amino acids, and composting techniques.
  • Emphasizes biodiversity and ecosystem health rather than synthetic chemicals.

Permaculture Farming

• Permaculture is a holistic farming system designed to create sustainable agricultural ecosystems by mimicking natural systems.
• Core Principles:
  • Design farm systems to be self-sustaining and reduce external input.
  • Emphasizes biodiversity, soil health, and water conservation.
  • Integration of animals, plants, and natural cycles for a balanced ecosystem.

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Conclusion

The National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) aims to promote sustainable, chemical-free farming, enhancing soil health, food security, and farmer resilience. Its success depends on addressing challenges like farmer training, infrastructure, and market access, with strong policy support and participation.

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