Quick Overview
Natural Farming in India represents a transformative shift towards chemical-free, sustainable agriculture. States like Himachal Pradesh are leading the change as thousands of farmers adopt eco-friendly methods under initiatives such as the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF). The approach integrates traditional practices with ecological balance, reducing costs and promoting soil health and climate resilience.
Natural Farming in India: A Sustainable Agricultural Shift
India is witnessing a resurgence of traditional, eco-centric farming methods through the natural farming movement. This approach, defined by NITI Aayog as a “chemical-free traditional farming method,” integrates crops, trees, and livestock to maintain ecological harmony and soil vitality.
Core Principles of Natural Farming
Natural farming eliminates synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, relying instead on locally sourced bio-inputs like Beejamrit, Jeevamrit, Neemastra, and Agniastra, prepared from cow dung, cow urine, jaggery, and soil. It encourages intercropping, mulching, and water-efficient techniques to sustain soil biodiversity and fertility.
Benefits to Farmers and Ecosystems
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Reduced Input Costs: Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) reduces expenses by 50–60% compared to chemical-based systems.
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Stable Incomes: Enhanced soil fertility leads to consistent yields and better resilience to climate stress.
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Health and Nutrition: Natural produce is free of harmful residues, improving food safety and nutritional value.
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Women and Rural Empowerment: Active participation in bio-input preparation and sustainable practices enhances women’s economic roles in rural communities.
Government Initiatives
The National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) aims to promote chemical-free cultivation across 7.5 lakh hectares, benefiting one crore farmers through training, incentives, and cluster development. The Bhartiya Prakritik Krishi Paddhati (BPKP) continues to expand this movement at the grassroots level.
Challenges and the Way Forward
Widespread adoption faces hurdles like limited awareness, market access, and policy convergence. To scale natural farming, India must build robust bio-input networks, promote digital monitoring, and link farmers to fair market pricing through certification and Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs).
Conclusion
Natural farming supports India's twin goals of sustainable agriculture and food security, contributing to SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). By aligning traditional wisdom with modern sustainability, it ensures ecological balance and economic stability for farmers.
CLAT/Exam Relevance Summary
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UPSC GS Paper 3 Topics: Sustainable Agriculture, Farm Subsidies, Environmental Conservation, Food Security.
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Prelims Focus: Concepts like Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF), Bhartiya Prakritik Krishi Paddhati (BPKP), and NMNF schemes.
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Mains Focus: Role of natural farming in achieving sustainable development goals, improving livelihoods, and addressing climate change impacts.
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PYQ Reference: 2021 and 2012 questions on permaculture and carbon sequestration highlight relevance to UPSC syllabus themes on agriculture and climate mitigation.