NATURAL FARMING
Suprativ Sarma
Intern Batch, BVSc & AH, Lakhimpur College of Veterinary Science, AAU.
Email ID: suprativ.sarma@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
With the increase in population India along with world is going to face inevitable crisis of food in the near future with lack of sustainable farming practices in the root levels. Natural farming is an emerging practice that claims production of crop with low input of locally available materials at very low or no cost. It also restricts use of chemicals and hybrid crops resulting in environmental conservation and prevention of chemical resistance. In this article, various features, opportunities and challenges on natural farming is discussed.
Keywords: Natural farming, resistance, soil conservation, ZBNF, low cost, low input.
INTRODUCTION
Indian economy mostly depends on agriculture. With the ever-increasing population, requirement of food supply has also increased significantly that led to the indiscriminate use of various chemicals for increased production, but it also increased the risk of resistance and environmental safety. Natural farming is an emerging and effective agricultural practice to counter this resistance. It applies laws of nature using locally available low-cost natural products to improve productivity. This farming method was developed and popularized by Masanobu Fukuoka of Japan.
FEATURES
Natural farming is generally a unique small-scale farming with minimal disturbance of the natural agro ecosystem.
In this system farmer is just the promoter and all the other work is done by nature without any expenses from the farmer.
Natural farming minimizes the external inputs to farmland which degenerate the soil nature, increases microbial aeration and good water retention capacity (Fukuoka, 1978; Andow & Hidaka, 1998; Neera et al. 1992)
Natural farming encourages multicrop farming and use of locally available manure and bio cultures only to promote production.
OPPORTUNITIES
- Reduces health risk: elimination of chemical usage prevents biomagnifiction and development of resistance, leading to a healthier lifestyle.
- Environmental benefits: Natural farming conserves the soil and agri-ecology, also helps in reduction in carbon emissions.
- Social impact: Cost of cultivation is reduced to a great extent due to low input and also gain from intercrops.
- Government support: Indian Government is encouraging farmers to adopt natural and organic farming and announced various schemes to promote such farming methods.
- Employment generation: Natural farming is promoting sustainable farming and influencing the youth to take this as a new source of income.
- Water conservation: Natural farming uses multicropping which prevents unnecessary water loss and also non use of chemicals keeps water reusable.
- Livestock sustainability: When natural farming is integrated with livestock, naturally available bio culture from cow dung and urine can be obtained. Natural farming of livestock and poultry can also be done in backyard scale.
- Adaptability: The changes in soil structure in natural conditions leads to survivability through various natural calamities.
CHALLENGES
- Low productivity: After meta-analysis of different studies scientists have found that natural farming leads to a tremendous reduction in crop yield creating a threat to India’s food security. A poorer yield of around 60-75% of the yield of conventional practice.
- Non permissibility of hybrid or GM crops along with poor pest resistance leads to huge damage in crop yield.
- For production in greater scale, land requirement will also increase leading to a mass deforestation.
- Increased labor requirement and high demand for manure are some significant challenges faced by the farmers.
- A proper market infrastructure is yet to take place and there is no proper scientific validation about this emerging farming practice.
| NATURAL FARMING | ORGANIC FARMING |
| In natural farming, no chemical or organic fertilizers are added to promote production. | Organic farming uses organic fertilizers or manures like vermicompost, etc. |
| Basic practices like plowing, tilting, weeding, etc., are not followed in natural farming. Decomposition by natural microbes and earthworms is encouraged. | Organic farming requires traditional methods like plowing, tilting, weeding, adding of manures, etc. |
| Natural farming is a very low cost and low input type of farming, with absence of external inputs. | Organic farming remains an expensive farming practice with requirement of bulk manures from external sources. |
| Natural farming has reduced to no effect on surrounding environment and beneficial towards agri-ecology. | Organic farming affects the surrounding environment. |
| Requires no certification to grow and sell natural farming products. | Organic farm products require certification before growing or selling. |
Table 1. Key differences between Natural farming and Organic farming
POLICIES
Agriculturist Subhash Palekar initiated the movement of Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) in the state of Andhra Pradesh. Later, farmers from Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh have also joined this movement.
Indian Government’s NITI Ayog has taken various steps to promote natural farming in India. Natural farming in India is encouraged under Bharatiya Prakritik Krishi Paddhati Programme (BPKP) under centrally sponsored scheme- Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY).
National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA), Rainfed Area Development (RAD), Green India Mission under National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC), etc., are some other initiatives by Indian Government to promote natural farming practices towards sustainable future.
NATURAL FARMING IN RELATION TO LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY
Natural farming of poultry or livestock means leaving the flock to grow by free ranging without giving any extra care and management other than the shelter for night. It is similar to backyard farming where the animal or birds free range and feeds on plants, insects and waste food materials.
In case of poultry, only low-cost brooders made with locally available inputs like straw, thermocols, etc., are provided during brooding period. Later, the flock should have availability to the free-range area with proper natural land, fresh air, water and sunshine. Locally available herbs can be given to improve digestive capacity.
Natural livestock farming reduces cost of supplements and antibiotics, producing products free from antibiotic and chemical residue. It also reduces labour cost by eliminating cleaning procedures.
Natural farming respects livestock’s natural urge and work towards and animal and environmental welfare. Natural farming in relation to livestock and poultry is still an area to be explored, with further research and analysis of its potential strength and challenges, farmers would surely be able to reap benefits from this practice.
SUMMARY
With all of the above discussion, though having various challenges, natural farming is a rather easier and more sustainable method for farmers when done in a small scale. It not only is low cost, but also promotes environmental conservation. The produce is healthier for consumption with no fear of remnants of artificial chemicals such as fertilizers and pesticides. With more research, exploring and developments on this field natural farming will surely emerge as better option in future farming.
REFERENCES
- niti.gov.in (accessed on 12/04/2022)
- ugaoo.com
- ceew.in
- ijpab.com (accessed on 12/04/2022)
- Review: Zero Budget Natural Farming a Key to Sustainable Agriculture: Challenges, Opportunities and Policy Intervention by Santosh Korav, A. K. Dhaka, Ankur Chaudhary and Mamatha Y. S. (accessed on 14/04/2022)
- Zero Budget Natural Farming in India: Aiming Back to the Basics by Saikat Biswas
https://www.pashudhanpraharee.com/organic-agriculture-livestock-farming-in-indiabirds-eye-view/
