NATURAL FARMING

Title of Project: “Outscaling of Natural Farming through KVKs”

Natural Farming is a chemical-free alias traditional farming method. It is considered as agroecology based diversified farming system which integrates crops, trees and livestock with functional biodiversity. Natural Farming is the most important way and alternate of agro ecological sustainability and to mitigate and address the climate change as well as chemical free agriculture. It is a high time to conserve natural resources and revive already depleted natural resources by propagating natural farming to save the soil, water, environment, animal and human health and ultimately overall agro Eco systems. 

In India, Natural farming is promoted as Bharatiya Prakritik Krishi Paddhati Programme (BPKP) under centrally sponsored scheme- Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY). BPKP is aimed at promoting traditional indigenous practices which reduces externally purchased inputs. It is largely based on on-farm biomass recycling with major stress on biomass mulching, use of on-farm cow dung-urine formulations; periodic soil aeration and exclusion of all synthetic chemical inputs. According to HLPE Report, natural farming will reduce dependency on purchased inputs and will help to ease smallholder farmers from credits burden.

Natural Farming offers a solution to various problems, such as food insecurity, farmers’ distress, and health problems arising due to pesticide and fertilizer residue in food and water, global warming, climate change and natural calamities. It also has the potential to generate employment, thereby stemming the migration of rural youth. Natural Farming, as the name suggests, is the art, practice and, increasingly, the science of working with nature to achieve much more with less.

Fig: Linkage Established By The KVK with other Agencies for different activities under Natural Farming

Benefits of NF:

1. Improve yield
2. Increased Farmers’ Income
3. Minimize cost of production and increase farmer’s income
4. Ensure better health
5. Employment generation 
6. Eliminate the application of chemical inputs
7. Environment Conservation
8. Reduce Water Consumption
9. Rejuvenate Soil Health 
10. Livestock sustainability 
11. Reduces cost of cultivation 
12.  Reduces water requirement of crops 
13. Climate change resilient, reduces risks in farming 
14.  Rejuvenation of farm lands 
15.  Safe and healthy food for citizens 
16.  Utilising the available cattle (Desi Cow) as valuable resource
17.  Helps in arresting growing needs for fertilizer and reduce subsidy burden

Components of Natural Farming: 

1. Jivamrit – Soil Inoculant 
2. Bijamrit – Seed Inoculant 
3. Mulching
4. Soil Aeration 

Several Trainings, awareness camps, poster camps, Kisan Goshtis, Demonstration along with awareness materials such as leaflets, folders, posters and flyers has been given to the farmers about the importance, benefits and adoption of Natural Farming. Being less consumer of chemical fertilizers these activities captured the attention of farmers as well, which paves way for their adoption to various process of Natural Farming.