{"id":81949,"date":"2026-01-10T17:45:36","date_gmt":"2026-01-10T12:15:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/?p=81949"},"modified":"2026-01-10T17:45:36","modified_gmt":"2026-01-10T12:15:36","slug":"natural-farming","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/natural-farming\/","title":{"rendered":"Natural Farming in India, Benefits, Challenges, Way Forward"},"content":{"rendered":"

Natural Farming in India is an eco-friendly method of agriculture that avoids chemical fertilisers and pesticides, relying on natural processes and farm-made inputs. It helps improve soil health, reduces farming costs, and produces safe, chemical-free food. Farmers benefit from lower financial risk and sustainable crop yields, but challenges like limited awareness, initial yield fluctuations, and market development remain.<\/span><\/p>\n

Natural Farming<\/b><\/h2>\n

Natural Farming is a way of growing crops without using chemical fertilizers, pesticides, or herbicides. It relies on natural processes, local resources, and farm-made inputs like cow dung, cow urine, and plant-based preparations. This method focuses on improving soil health, conserving water, and producing safe, chemical-free food.<\/span><\/p>\n

Read About: Agriculture in India<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

What is Zero Budget Natural Farming?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF)<\/b> is a method of chemical-free farming that aims to reduce the cost of cultivation to almost zero by using <\/span>locally available, on-farm inputs<\/b> instead of purchased fertilisers and pesticides. It was popularised by <\/span>Subhash Palekar<\/b> and is based on the idea that healthy soil and crops can be maintained through natural biological processes, especially using <\/span>indigenous cow-based formulations<\/b> like Jeevamrit and Beejamrit.<\/span><\/p>\n

Components of Zero-Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF)<\/b><\/h2>\n

Zero-Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) is built on four core pillars that restore soil fertility and plant health naturally:<\/span><\/p>\n

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  1. Jeevamrit:<\/b> A fermented microbial culture prepared using cow dung, cow urine, jaggery, pulse flour, soil, and water. It enhances soil microbial activity and nutrient availability.<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Beejamrit:<\/b> A natural seed treatment solution that protects seeds from soil-borne and seed-borne diseases, improving germination and early plant growth.<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Mulching (Acchadana):<\/b> Covering soil with organic matter such as crop residue or dry leaves to conserve moisture, regulate soil temperature, and prevent weed growth.<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. Waaphasa (Soil Aeration): <\/b>Maintaining a balance of air and moisture in the soil to support root respiration and microbial activity, avoiding excessive irrigation.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Natural Farming Benefits<\/b><\/h2>\n

    Natural farming is a simple and eco-friendly way of farming that reduces the use of chemicals and supports healthy soil and crops. It helps farmers lower costs while protecting nature and human health.<\/span><\/p>\n