The document presents an overview of Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF), a cost-effective farming method developed by Subhash Palekar that eliminates the need for external inputs, thus reducing expenses and promoting sustainability. ZBNF emphasizes the use of available natural resources around the root zone for plant growth, employing techniques such as mulching, multi-cropping, and the utilization of indigenous cow breeds to enhance soil fertility and yield. Success stories from farmers who adopted ZBNF demonstrate significant economic benefits and reduced dependence on chemical farming.

1. ZERO BUDGET
NATURAL FARMING
GROUP : XIV
AGRN-522
(ORGANIC FARMING)
Presented to:
Prof. (Dr.) Thomas Abraham
Dept. of Agronomy
Allahabad School of Agriculture

2. NAMASKAR
We are group- XIV
13BSCAGH012 BIBEN YANTHAN
13BSCAGH016 MHASI KHONUOUSOU
13BSCAGH024 KIHIKALI K YEPTHOMI
13BSCAGH032 NUNGSHITULA PONGENER
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13BSCAGH156 VIKAS KUMAR
13BSCAGH158 SHIVANI JHA
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3. HISTORY
Mr. Subhash Palekar studied natural system and verified
natural processes of the forest on his farm for six year, since
1989 to 1995. There were about 154 research projects
during these six years of research work. After six years of
verified research work, he got the package of technique
about Zero Budget Natural Farming; which he is giving to
the farmers throughout India. He (Krishi ka Rishi) also
awarded by many awards some are:
BASAVA SHRI AWARD (2005)
GOPAL GAURAV AWARD (2007)
PADMA SHRI (2016)

4. ““When health is absent, wisdom
cannot reveal itself, art cannot
manifest, strength cannot fight, wealth
become useless, and intelligence
cannot be applied.”
- HEROPHILUS

5. DEFINITION
Zero Budget Natural Farming
(ZBNF) or holistic agriculture is a
method of agriculture that counters
the commercial expenditure and
things required for the growth of
plant are present around the root
zone.

6. PALEKAR’S VISION
This model eliminates the cost of fertilizers,
pesticides and seeds and greatly reduces the incentive
to borrow, one of the chief causes for farmer suicides
in the country. Hence its evocative title ZERO
BUDGET NATURAL FARMING.
He believes in a method of cultivation which makes
the already existing nutrients in the soil such as
phosphate, potash, zinc and calcium available in
absorbable form by the plants.

7. SOME UNIQUE QUALITY OF ZBNF
◍In the Zero Budget Natural Farming nothing has to
be purchased from the outside. All things required for
the growth of the plant are available around the root
zone of the plants.
◍98 to 98.5% nutrients are taken from air, water &
solar energy.
◍Remaining 1.5% nutrients taken from the soil are
also available free of cost as it is taken from the
prosperous soil which is enriched with these nutrients.

8. BIG CONCEPT
An approach towards sustainability
Expense-free farming
Farming up to 30 acres with one native cow
Farming with minimum electricity and water consumption
Producing quality, poison-free food
Agriculture without external input
Techniques of multi-crop cultivation for higher net income
Reducing external labor requirement
Farming in tune with nature
Saving the farmers from suiciding themselves and leaving
behind their families as beggars.

9. PRINCIPLES
MULCHING
MULTI
CROPPING
NATURAL
INPUT
LOW
INPUT
FARMING
Soil protection
Creates conductive environment for biological processes in the
soil
Freely available resources in nature
Non toxic production
No use of chemicals and fertilizer
Promotes a natural catalyst of biological activity in the soil
and natural protection from diseases.
Minimizes the risk of failure
Continuity of income source

10. 1) Low Input farming:
The production cost for the
farmer is zero as no input needs
to be purchased. As 1.5 to 2.0
% of the nutrients are taken
from the soil by the plant , there
is no need to add fertilizers.
These nutrients provided by
nature (as in the forest) are
totally free of cost.
PRINCIPLES of ZBNF (Contd…)

11. 2) Natural input
Natural farming does not require
chemicals inputs or organic
compost like vermi-culture (S.
Palekar considers these external
inputs as destructive as
chemicals) but promotes a
natural catalyst of biological
activity in the soil and natural
protection from diseases.
PRINCIPLES of ZBNF (Contd…)

12. 3) Soil mulching
 It is necessary to create the micro-
climate under which micro-organisms can
well develop, that is 25 to 32 °C
temperature, 65 to 72 % moisture.
It creates darkness and warmth in the
soil.
It conserves humidity of the soil , cools
it and protects its micro-organisms.
Mulching promotes humus formation,
suppresses weeds and maintain the
water requirement of crops.
PRINCIPLES of ZBNF (Contd…)

13. 4) Multicropping
Multicropping is a good
way to minimize the risks
for the farmer who is able to
enjoy continuity of yield
throughout the year. In case
of a crop’s failure he can
also rely on the other crops.
It has expanded farmers’
income sources.
PRINCIPLES of ZBNF (Contd…)

14. One gram of desi cow dung contains 300
to 500 crores of beneficial effective
microbes.
These micro-organisms decompose the
dried biomass on the soil and make
available the nutrients to the plants.
All Indian cow breeds are suitable for
ZBNF.
Dung and urine from one desi cow is
sufficient to cultivate 30 acres of land in
ZBNF.
IMPORTANCE OF DESI COW IN ZBNF
.

15. ◍Cross bred Jersey & Holstein Friesian
cows are not suitable for ZBNF , there is
more pathogens in their dung and urine.
Contd….

16. APPLICATION OF ZBNF
ZBNF
BEEJAMRITA JEEVAMRITA

17. INSECT AND PEST MANAGEMENT
APPLICATION OF ZBNF (Contd...)
AGNIASTRA
NEEMASTRA
INSECT & PEST
MANAGEMENT
BRAMHASTRA

18. BEEJAMRITA
Preparation of Beejamrita
5kg Cow dung + 5L cow urine
+ 20L water
Soaked for 12 hrs. Squeeze in water tub
Add 50gm lime water
& cow urine
Stir wellReady to be added
to the seeds

19. JEEVAMRITA
Preparation of Jeevamrita
Water 200 L 10kg Cow dung + 10L Cow urine
+ 2kg Jaggery + 2kg Pulse flour
+ 30gm farm soil
Mix in a heap
Allow to ferment for 5-6days
Spray along with irrigation

20. AGNIASTRA
Preparation of Agniastra
Take 100L water Add 10L of cow urine
Add 1Kg Tobacco
+ 500gm green chili
+ 500gm Local Garlic
Boil solution well
5 times continuously.
Filter using cloth &
Ferment for 24hours
Ready to spray on pest Leaf Roller,
Stem Borer, Fruit borer, Pod borer.

21. BRAMHASTRA
Preparation of Bramhastra
Take a pot
Add 10L Cow, Crush 3Kg Neem
Leaves & add this neem pulp in this
water
Boil solution
5 times
Filter using cloth,
fermented for 24 Hrs
Ready to spray on trees to control sucking
pests, pod borer, fruit borer etc.

22. NEEMASTRA
Preparation of Neemastra
Take 100L water Add 5L of cow urine
Add 5kg cow dung
Crush 5kg neem leave,
add the pulp
ferment for 24 Hrs. Stirred solution
twice a day by any stick.Filter using a cloth
Ready for
Spray for
sucking pests
& Mealy Bug

23. ◍In 2007, he attended a
workshop organized by
Mr. Palekar on ‘zero-
budget natural farming’
and decided to
experiment it on 7
bighas (1.12 hectares) of
farmland.
LIVE EXAMPLE MAHARASTRA
Inspired by Subhash Palekar, a crusader of ‘zero-budget natural
farming’, Sudhakar Kubdainchi, a distraught farmer at Shelu
village in Kalmeshwar taluk, Nagpur has become a successful
farmer.

24. ◍The farmland is semi arid, he has constructed a bund and a
wastewater tank to store rainwater, and also practice the drip
irrigation, It helps in maintaining moisture in the field. Instead of
using chemical fertilizers, the farmer uses the principles based on
ZBNF.
◍With the help of his wife & Son, he stared the organic farming and
practiced as taught during workshop. cow urine is stored in barrels
and supplied to all plants through drip irrigation.
◍He use to do multi-cropping to minimize the risk of loss. In his 7
bighas farmland he cultivated Banana, Orange, Orange nursery,
Cotton, Pulses, Beans, Spinach, Radish, Chilli, Garlic, Onion etc.
LIVE EXAMPLE (Contd…)

25. ◍All the produce is packed in 500g & 1kg packing and sold in the
Nagpur .
◍With the help of Mr. Hemant Chauhan (Agri-consultant), the
produce was taken as organic and good amount of money was gain.
◍In Rs.12000/- investment he got more than four lakh.
◍Fruits Rs. 150000
◍Nursery Rs. 15000
◍Vegetable Rs. 250000
◍Cotton Rs. 50000
◍While conventional farming only 1 or 1.25 lakh.
◍In staring 4 years he got less production but the net
benefit/income was more than conventional farming as there was no
external inputs to buy, the seed was also indigenous.
LIVE EXAMPLE (Contd…)
Source: www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjexVqKxYzM

26. ◍Charanjit Singh Punni at Chaina
village in Faridkot wasn't satisfied
with organic farming and was
suffering huge losses. It was
becoming costlier than chemical
farming," he says. Last year, Punni
converted only about a hectare of his
land to natural farming. With an
increased yield this year, he plans to
practise natural farming on his
remaining 7 ha.
SUCCESS STORY OF ZBNF IN PUNJAB
350 1800
35650
5500
1500
24500
3000
1600
10600
NATURAL FARMING
ORGANIC FARMING
CHEMICAL FARMING
Data as per Acre area and input and benefit in rupees while output in kg.

27. ◍There is a thin line between organic and natural farming. "We are
not against organic farming but against corporate-controlled farming.
Certification of the farm, the inputs and the produce makes it a costly
affair. It will leave the farmers dependent on the government which is
not the case in natural farming.
SUCCESS STORY (Contd…)
Punni managed to sell his naturally grown
wheat at Rs 20 per kg this year, while the
bansi variety fetched him Rs 30 per kg
against the government rate of Rs 8.5.
And he earned amount of benefit from
farming is more than 1 lack from a
hectare. Source: www.downtoearth.org.in/coverage/punjabs

28. Savings on cost of seeds, fertilizers and plant
protection chemicals has been substantial.
Because of continuous incorporation of organic
residues and replenishment of soil fertility. Helps to
maintain the soil health.
The new system of farming has freed the farmers
from the debt trap and it has instilled in them a renewed
sense of confidence to make farming an economically
viable venture.
CONCLUSION

29. www.atimysore.gov.in/PDF/action_research1.pdf
www.palekarzerobudgetspiritualfarming.org
isha.sadhguru.org/blog/social-impact/environment/try-
zero-budget-natural-farming
www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-xi2VB9Q6c
www.facebook.com/villageinstituteforsustainable
www.easycalculation.com/unit-conversion/Bigha_I-
bigha-Hectares-hectares.html
www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjexVqKxYzM
www.downtoearth.org.in/coverage/punjabs-spiritual-
farming-6918
REFERENCE

30. thanks!
Any questions?
You can find us @
B.Sc. (Hons.) AGRICULTURE
BATCH: 13