Examine the role of natural farming in promoting sustainable agriculture. Discuss the major challenges hindering its widespread adoption in India. (Answer in 250 words)
Main Body
Zero Budget Natural Farming was popularised by Subhash Palekar, a sustainable agriculture advocate to overcome sustainability and farmer income. Zero Budget Natural Farming includes Bijamarit, Jeevamrit, Waaphasa mulching as roles of natural farming in promoting sustainability: (1) Soil health: Minimal or no interventions, improving, preserving soil bacterium and organisms. (2) Soil moisture: Retained by using natural objects. (3) No use of fertiliser bottles or chemicals - improving soil health and reducing chances of algal blooms through run-off. (4) Better seed germination due to use of cowdung and other natural objects for incubation. (5) No use of pesticides - not disturbing natural ecosystem and soil fertility.
Measures to be taken when for wider spread adoption: (1) Agriculture extension service for ZENF awareness through KVKs. (2) Incentivising ZENF through scheme for soil health. (3) Increasing productivity by alternate use of ZENF along with conventional farming. (4) Shifting away from lesser other crops millets, more sustainable Hence ZENF if followed can have great impact in fulfilling India's Panchmohit pledge.
Conclusion
Challenges hindering adoption of natural farming are: (1) Poor productivity due to lack of use of chemical fertiliser and pesticide impacting farmers income as sustainable living. (2) Lack of awareness among farmers on the benefits of ZENF. (3) Water-intensive crops may not be suitable for ZENF in the long run. (4) Fertiliser subsidies luring farmers away from natural farming. (5) Successive crop cycles may not be possible in case of ZENF hampering quantitative outcomes.
74 words
Aditya Narayan H
Biodiversity and Environment
Organic farming
Natural farming and sustainable agriculture
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