Introduction

In her Budget proposals for 2024-25, Union Finance Minister announced a significant initiative to encourage natural farming across India. Over the next two years, the government aims to introduce one crore farmers to natural farming practices, supported by certification and branding. This initiative will be implemented through scientific institutions and gram panchayats, with the establishment of 10,000 need-based bio-input resource centres. This mission is part of the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF), which seeks to motivate farmers to adopt chemical-free farming.

Understanding Natural Farming

• Natural farming avoids using chemical fertilizers and pesticides, focusing on traditional, local farming methods.
• It focuses on on-farm biomass recycling, biomass mulching, and using on-farm cow dung-urine formulations.
• Pest management is achieved through diversity and on-farm botanical concoctions, excluding all synthetic chemical inputs.
• The primary goals are to improve natural nutrient cycling and increase organic matter in the soil.
• Grounded in agro-ecology, natural farming integrates crops, trees, and livestock, making optimal use of functional biodiversity.
• Proponents believe it can enhance farmers’ income while restoring soil fertility, improving environmental health, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Challenges and Concerns

• Despite its potential benefits, agriculture and food experts express reservations about transitioning from chemical to natural farming on a large scale in India, given the country’s significant population and food requirements.
• A recent academic paper titled “Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF): Implications for Sustainability, Profitability, and Food Security,” published by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development and the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations, highlighted disparities in the outcomes of different experiments surrounding ZBNF.
• The Centre for Economic and Social Studies (CESS) and the Institute for Development Studies Andhra Pradesh found that ZBNF led to improved yields and increased farmers’ incomes for various crops.
• Conversely, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the Indian Institute of Farming Systems Research (IIFSR) observed significant declines in wheat and basmati rice yields under ZBNF compared to integrated crop management, raising concerns about food supply sustainability.

Lessons from Sri Lanka

• Sri Lanka’s recent experience serves as a cautionary tale.
• The country faced economic and political turmoil after banning the import of chemical fertilizers to transition to organic farming.
• The policy shift resulted in reduced yields of key crops, including rice, threatening the country’s food security and leading to sharp price escalations, widespread protests, and unrest.

The Way Forward

• Economists and experts suggest that while natural farming could be beneficial at a localized level, it may not be suitable for a populous country like India.
• Adopting natural farming for staple cereals such as wheat and rice could result in lower yields, potentially compromising food security.
• They advocate for rigorous scientific tests on natural farming’s impact on crop yields before considering a nationwide implementation.
• Natural farming holds promise for sustainable agriculture and environmental health, but a cautious approach is necessary.
• Extensive studies and long-term experimentation are crucial to understanding its viability on a large scale.
• Balancing the need for food security with sustainable farming practices will be key to ensuring the success of the National Mission on Natural Farming.

Conclusion

While the government’s initiative to promote natural farming is commendable, it is essential to proceed with thorough research and careful planning to avoid potential pitfalls and ensure a successful transition that benefits farmers and the nation as a whole.