Natural Farming by Neha Nevendra

Natural Farming by Neha Nevendra

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  INDIRA GANDHI KRISHIVISHWAVIDHYALAYA College of Agriculture Raipur (C. G.) SESSION – 2024-25 Topic – Natural Farming in Indian agriculture and it’s advantages and disadvantages DOCTORAL SEMINAR - I COURSE No. – AGRON-691 PRESENTED TO – Dr. G. P. Pali Department of Agronomy PRESENTED BY NEHA NEVENDRA PhD 1st year 1st sem. Department of Agronomy
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  List of thecontents • Natural Farming • Concept of Natural Farming • Historical background • Organic farming v/s Natural Farming • Objectives of natural farming • Principles of natural farming • Current scenario of Natural Farming in India • Government initiatives • ICAR initiatives • Success stories • Case study • challenges of natural farming • Advantages and disadvantages of natural farming • Conclusion • References
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  NATURAL FARMING NATURAL FARMING
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  • Natural farmingis a chemical- free and livestock based farming system that emphasizes working with natural processes to minimize external inputs and maximize the use of natural resources. • According to Fukuoka, natural farming is a way of growing crops that minimizes human intervention and avoids the use of chemicals, synthetic fertilizers, or intensive tilling.
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  • Natural farmingalso called as Do-nothing farming or No-till farming. Concept of Natural Farming  Farming is a natural process, rooted in traditional practices.  Natural Farming focuses on building natural or ecological conditions that exist in or around the farms. It based on concept of working with nature rather than against it.
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   A healthysoil micro biome is critical for optimal soil health and plant health, and thereby animal health and human health.  It emphasizes minimal human intervention and the use of indigenous microorganisms to enhance soil fertility and plant health.
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  Historical Background  Thisfarming approach was introduced by Masanobu Fukuoka, a Japanese farmer and philosopher, in his book “The One-Straw Revolution” (1975).  In India popularity of natural farming started from late 1990s  Subhash Palekar (Padma Shri 2016) an Indian agriculturist born in 1949, pioneered Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) as an alternative to chemical intensive agriculture.
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  Aspect Natural FarmingOrganic Farming Definition A method that relies on natural processes without using any external inputs. A farming method avoiding synthetic chemicals, relying on natural inputs, crop rotation, and biodiversity. External Inputs No external inputs. Relies purely on nature's cycle. Uses natural and organic inputs, like organic composts and natural pesticides. Soil Fertility Maintained through natural processes like mulching and microbial activity. Enhanced using organic composts, manures, and green manuring. Certification No standardized certification process worldwide. Strict certification processes, often regulated by national/international bodies.
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  Objectives of Naturalfarming
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  Jeevamrut
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  • Whapasa isthe condition where there are both air molecules and water molecules present in the soil and it encourages reducing irrigation, irrigating only at noon and in alternate furrows is followed. WHAPASA • Whapasa means the mixture of 50 % air and 50% water vapours in the cavities between two soil particles
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  Mulching is anatural farming technique that involves covering the topsoil with plant material to improve soil structure, reduce erosion, and suppress weeds Mulching
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  Plant protection innatural farming
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  Principles of NaturalFarming • No-till farming • Local seeds (use of local varieties) • On-farm produced microbial formulation for seed treatment (such as bijamrita) • On-farm made microbial inoculants (Jivamrita) for soil enrichment • Cover crops and mulching with green and dry organic matter for nutrient recycling and for creating a suitable micro-climate for maximum beneficial microbial activity in soil.
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  • Mixed cropping,managing diversity on farm through integration of trees • Management of pests through diversity and local on-farm made botanical concoctions (such as neemastra, agniastra, neem ark, dashparni ark etc); • Integration of livestock, especially of native breed for cow dung and cow urine as essential inputs for several practices and water and moisture conservation.
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  Current Scenario ofNatural Farming in India • Many states have taken up initiatives for natural farming promotion Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu are among the leading states. 16 10.5 STATES PRACTICING NATURAL FARMING AREA COVERED (LAKH HA) Source: National Mission on Natural Farming Management and Knowledg e Portal
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  Source: National Mission onNatural Farming Management and Knowledg e Portal
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  Geographical coverage ofnatural farming Source: SNPF HP 2021, RYSS Andhra Pradesh; Khadse et al. 2017
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  • Government ofIndia has been promoting organic farming in the country through the dedicated schemes of Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) since 2015- 16 and also through Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY). • In the revised guidelines of PKVY scheme during the year 2018, various organic farming models like Natural Farming, Rishi Farming, Vedic Farming, Cow Farming. GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES
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  • Under theRKVY scheme, organic farming/ natural farming project components are considered by the respective State Level Sanctioning Committee (SLSC) according to their priority/ choice. • The Union Budget 2024-25 envisioned that “In the next two years, 1crore farmers across the country will be initiated into natural farming supported by certification and branding. Implementation will be through scientific institutions and willing gram panchayats. 10,000 need-based bio-input resource centres (BRC) will be established”.
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  • The Governmentof Chhattisgarh launched the Godhan Nyay scheme in July 2020 The scheme proposed to purchase cattle dung at Rs 2/kg, convert it to vermi-compost and make it available to farmers at Rs 8/kg. • The state has two ongoing schemes for the promotion of organic farming— PKVY and Jaivik Kheti Mission (state scheme). CHHATTISGARH GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES • In organic farming, many farmers use the principles and practices of Natural Farming, such as Jivamrit, Beejamrit, and botanical pesticide, etc. Under PKVY, the area of organic farming is 500 hectare and under Jaivik Kheti Mission, it is 80 hectare. (NITI Aayog)
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  Project- May, 2020.NAARM-CRIDA Collaborative Project on Adoption of Natural Farming and Its Effect on Crop Yield and Farmers’ Livelihood In India.(Sponsored by NITI Aayog) Objective - to understand the farmers' perception about NF for different crops and its implication on crop yield and farmers' income ICAR initiative
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  Quick observations – •Primary survey and soil sampling in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra (April to June 2019), covering 295 NF practicing and 170 non- practicing farmers • Only few farmers are practicing NF in Karnataka, whereas in AP almost all farmers in selected villages are practicing NF • In Maharashtra farmers reported similar crop yield, however produce quality was bit inferior. • Overall mixed effect on yield but fetching premium price ICAR-NAARM April-June 19, Newsletter
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  1. Story ofAdaribariki Seethamma of Andhra Pradesh Technology used: In 2019 May, pre- monsoon dry sowing was done and 200 kg of Ghanajivamrit was applied and the soil was ploughed minimally. On 15 May, seeds of white and red rajma, maize, tomato, red gram, ragi and other millets, leafy vegetables, and groundnuts were sowed. Impact: She earned a total income of Rs 28,000 from 0.30 acres of land, along with food items for consumption, with a bare cost of Rs 2300.
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  He had receivedthe Best ATMA (Agricultural Technology Management Agency ) Farmers Award-2018-19 Technology: Natural Farming, along with the application of cow dung, was practised for cultivating groundnut and wheat. 2. Story of Hirabhai Bhagvanbhai Vagh of Gujarat Impact: Natural Farming is low in cost and yields higher profit.
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  3. Story ofAdinath Annappa Kinikar of Maharashtra Technology: Natural Farming and multi-cropping, along with vermicompost production, was done on a 6-acre land. Desi cows were reared for the preparation of agri-inputs. Multiple crops were planted — sugarcane (2 acre), soybean (½ acre), moong as intercrop (1 acre), rice (¼ acre), gram (¼ acre), groundnut (½ acre) and sorghum (½ acre). Also, fruit crops and trees and Vegetables crops were grown in the field.
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  Impact: A netincome of Rs 2, 36,500 was obtained from these crops. The net income gained from fruit crops was Rs. 2,73,000 and Rs. 73,000 was obtained from vegetable crops. Through the rearing of cows and vermicompost a net income of Rs. 1,08,000 was derived.
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  4.Storty of Satyavanin Chhattishgarh Technology - He manages a diverse farm, growing vegetables, wheat, sugarcane, paddy, and other crops across 20 acres, with 5 acres dedicated to natural farming. Impact - Satyavan makes Rs. 18–20 lakh a year by combining organic farming, dairy farming, and nursery management. His model is very profitable because his input costs are very low, at about Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 20,000 per acre.
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  main aim ofthis study - to analyze whether natural farming system was economically better with sufficient economic returns to the farmers against Conventional farming practices. Table 1: Comparison between treatments under Natural farming and Conventional farming in Paddy cultivation
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  Table 2: Yieldand Economics of paddy under natural farming and Conventional farming in the study area
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  2. Sh. TejpalJatiya is practicing natural farming for the last six years. Table - Yield and economics under natural farming and conventional farming
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  Effect of NFand Non-NF practices on soil microbial population in paddy and sugarcane cultivated fields in Visakhapatnam district (Andhra Pradesh) R Kumar, S Kumar, BS Yashavanth India, 2020 Practices followed by the sample farmers in Andhra Pradesh
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  Table - Averagesoil microbial population in paddy and sugarcane cultivated fields in Visakhapatnam district (Andhra Pradesh)
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  Plant nutrient contentsin the paddy and sugarcane plants Average plant nutrient contents in paddy cultivated under NF and Non-NF practices in Visakhapatnam district
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  Average plant nutrientcontents in sugarcane plants cultivated under NF and Non-NF practices in Visakhapatnam district
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  Benefit-Cost comparison formajor crops in Visakhapatnam district (Andhra Pradesh)
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  • Lack ofawareness: Many farmers are not aware of natural farming or its benefits. • Lack of training: Farmers who are aware of natural farming may not have the necessary training to implement it successfully. • Lack of government support: The government needs to provide more support to farmers who are adopting natural farming, such as subsidies, extension services, and research. • Market constraints: There is a limited market for organic produce in India, which can make it difficult for farmers to sell their produce at a premium. Challenges of natural farming in India
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  ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OFNATURAL FARMING
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  ADVANTAGES 1. Improve Yield 2.Increased Farmers’ income 3. Minimized Cost of Production 4. Ensures Better Health 5. Employment Generation 6. Eliminates application of Synthetic chemical Inputs 7. Environment conserve 8. Reduce water consumption 9. Rejuvenates soil health 10.Livestock sustainability
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  • Improved soilhealth: Natural farming helps to improve soil health by increasing organic matter content, reducing soil erosion, and improving water infiltration. This leads to healthier plants and higher crop yields. • Increased crop yields: Natural farming can lead to increased crop yields, as healthy soil is better able to support plant growth. Studies have shown that natural farming can increase crop yields by up to 30%. • Reduced input costs: Natural farming can help to reduce input costs, as farmers do not need to purchase synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, or herbicides. This can save farmers a significant amount of money, especially for small farmers.
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  • Improved farmerlivelihoods: Natural farming can help to improve farmer livelihoods, as it can lead to increased crop yields, reduced input costs, and improved soil health. This can lead to higher incomes for farmers, and it can also help to reduce their dependence on debt. • Environmental benefits: Natural farming has a number of environmental benefits, such as reducing water pollution, soil erosion, and greenhouse gas emissions.
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  DISADVANTAGES NATURAL FARMING Increased Risk of CropLoss Labor- Intensive Weed and Pest Management is difficult Transition Period requires a deep Knowledge and Expertise Initial yield is low Short self life
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  • Natural farmingoffers a sustainable and eco-friendly approach to agriculture, prioritizing soil health, biodiversity, and minimal chemical use. • While it may come with challenges such as lower yields and increased labor, its long-term benefits for the environment and food quality make it a valuable alternative to conventional farming. • With proper knowledge and commitment, natural farming can contribute to a healthier planet and more resilient food systems. CONCLUSION
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  • Anonymous(2024), NaturalFarming NITI Aayog. https://naturalfarming.niti.gov.in • Darshan, kadam. (2019, sep .8). Natural farming – Zero Budget Natural farming. Side share. • Fukuoka, Masanobu. (1978).The One-Straw Revolution: An Introduction to Natural Farming. New York. • Kumar, R., Kumar, S., Yashavanth, B.S., Meena, P.C., Indoria, A.K., Kundu, S. and Manjunath, M., 2020. Adoption of natural farming and its effect on crop yield and farmers’ livelihood in India. ICAR-National Academy of Agricultural Research Management, Hyderabad, India, 130. • Sharma, S.K., Ravisankar, N., Jain, N.K. and Sarangi, S.K., 2023. Natural farming: current status, research and case studies. Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi–110, 12. References