With the National Mission on Natural Farming and a rising global push for sustainable agriculture, India must accelerate the transition from intensive to ecologically sound farming

Introduction

The National Food Security Act (NFSA) aims to ensure the right to food for the needy at affordable prices. Given India’s population of 143 crore, projected to reach 160 crore by the 2060s, food security remains a top policy priority.

Challenges in Agriculture

• Intensive agriculture: It  faces growing pressures, including declining fertilizer efficiency, deteriorating soil health, and the impact of climate change.
  • Additionally, the over-exploitation of water resources further threatens sustainability in agricultural practices.
• FAO Report: Intensive agriculture is causing significant economic damage.
• India’s annual cost: Rs 113 lakh crore ($1.3 trillion) in social, health, and environmental damages.
• Ecological Impact: Since the Green Revolution (1960s), agriculture has focused on intensive practices with input subsidies, which have had negative ecological and social impacts.

Natural Farming In India

• Alternative Approaches: Instead of solely relying on intensive farming, alternative agricultural systems should be explored based on scientific agro-ecological principles. These include:
  • Natural Farming
  • Organic Farming
  • Regenerative Farming
• Mainstreaming: Mainstreaming natural, organic, and regenerative farming can help achieve food and ecological security.
• Origin: Practised in India for centuries, identified by Sir Albert Howard in early 20th century as the Indore process.
• Principles: Follows natural cycles for food production, maintaining soil health and crop balance while ensuring the well-being of both farmers and consumers.
• Adoption in India: Less than 1 million hectares under natural farming. 2.2 million farmers, mostly small-scale.

Global Influence of Natural Farming

• UK and USA Adoption: Inspired Lady Eve Balfour and Jerome Rodale, leading to organic farming movements in the mid-20th century.
• Japan’s Influence: Masanobu Fukuoka (1979) popularised natural farming as the science of growing food naturally.
• India’s Revival: Subhash Palekar initiated Zero-Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) in the early 2000s.

Other Natural Farming Methods

• Organic Farming: Prohibits synthetic inputs (chemical fertilisers, GM seeds, growth hormones, antibiotics). Based on IFOAM (International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements) standards.
• Consumer Base: Organic farming, distinct from local-inputs-based natural farming, is often associated with high consumer prices.
  • It caters to conscious consumers who prioritize responsible food production and have the purchasing power to support it.
• Current Adoption in India: 2.7 million hectares under certified organic farming. Requires third-party certification, leading to higher market prices.
• Regenerative Farming: It is coined by Rodale Institute, USA (1980)Regenerative farming focuses on judicious input use, prioritizing farmers’ well-being, soil health, and biodiversity. 
  • It aims to promote resource conservation and land rehabilitation for sustainable agriculture.
• Indian Context: Deeply rooted in Sir Albert Howard’s principles, regenerative farming in India has been adapted to modern needs to ensure sustainability and ecological balance.
• Comparison: Natural and Regenerative Farming are highly productive and offer better social and ecological outcomes. Organic Farming follows similar principles but requires certification for market recognition.
• Global Adoption : A growing global shift towards sustainable farming highlights its importance. India can leverage this trend to enhance climate resilience, improve farmers’ incomes, and ensure long-term food security.

Way Forward

• Revisiting Agricultural Practices: A large portion of India’s agricultural land follows intensive farming practices. There is a need to reassess the role of natural and regenerative farming across all agro-climatic zones.
• Diversified Approach: A diversified approach should be adopted based on geographical, social, and ecological conditions. 
  • It encourages rapid adoption of natural and regenerative farming practices. Facilitates agricultural diversification while ensuring sustainability and promotes equitable and resilient farming systems.
• National Mission on Natural Farming: Launched by the Government of India to promote natural farming. Aims for 10 million small farmers to adopt natural farming by 2026.
  • Implementation: Large-scale implementation will Improve farmers’ livelihoods and enhance climate resilience of farms and Provide consumers with chemical-free, responsibly grown food.

Conclusion

Following such policies, India must redesign its agriculture with a clear strategy to mainstream natural, organic and regenerative farming to secure its food and ecological and nutritional security.