Sustainable agricultural practices like Zero Budget Natural Farming are gaining traction as food shortages stare us in the face

Ending hunger, ensuring food security and promoting sustainable agriculture are the main objectives of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Agriculture plays a role in achieving all 17 SDGs directly or indirectly by supporting economic, social and environmental progress. Sustainable agriculture focuses on meeting the needs of a growing population while protecting the environment, fostering social equity and ensuring economic viability. By 2050, under current agricultural trends, 60 per cent of India’s population –over 10 per cent of the global population may face severe food shortages. Addressing the crisis requires increased production, but high input costs and price volatility are pushing farmers into debt. Natural farming offers a cost-effective alternative aiming to reduce dependency on chemical inputs while promoting sustainable practices.

Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) is a grassroots initiative aimed at enhancing farm viability by minimising costs. Over one million hectares in India are currently under natural farming. Natural farming represents an Indianised approach to sustainable agriculture, integrating local ecological principles and indigenous knowledge, in contrast to the European-origin organic farming practices. India is making significant strides in promoting natural farming, with leading states including Andhra Pradesh (1 lakh hectares), Madhya Pradesh (0.99 lakh hectares) and Chhattisgarh (0.85 lakh hectares).

Other notable contributors are Kerala (0.84 lakh hectares), Odisha (0.24 lakh hectares), Himachal Pradesh (0.12 lakh hectares), Jharkhand (0.034 lakh hectares) and Tamil Nadu (0.02 lakh hectares).  ZBNF and the Andhra Pradesh Community-Based Natural Farming (APCNF) models are the most widely used approaches. A NITI Aayog report highlights the potential to double the share of chemical-free farming to 15 per cent immediately and expand it to 30 per cent by 2030, with no adverse impact on food security.   The National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE), Hyderabad, serves as the central agency for promoting natural farming.

Natural farming reduces cultivation costs by 60-70 per cent by eliminating chemical fertilisers and pesticides.                    

To promote natural farming, the Central Government introduced the Bharatiya Prakritik Krishi Paddhati (BPKP) scheme in 2020-21 under the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY). By 2023, the scheme covered 6.1 lakh hectares with a budget of Rs 49.8 crore.

Additionally, a five-kilometre natural farming corridor along the Ganges River was launched to cover 960,000 hectares. The National Mission on Natural Farming aims to form 15,000 clusters in Gram Panchayats, involving 1 crore farmers and covering 750,000 hectares.               Natural farming optimises the use of resources such as soil, labour and equipment, leading to enhanced crop productivity. It eliminates the dependency on chemical fertilisers, herbicides and pesticides.

This approach fosters rapid development of soil microbiota and improves soil aeration through the use of natural inputs. Sikkim achieved its 100 per cent organic status in 2016 through the “Sikkim Organic Mission,” which began in 2003. With minimal chemical fertilizer use (5.8 kg/ha) and traditional practices already in place for crops like cardamom, the government phased out fertiliser subsidies, promoted water conservation and trained farmers in practices like vermicomposting and non-pesticide pest management. ICAR is currently studying Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) practices in states like Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Uttarakhand to assess productivity and soil health impacts.         

India’s unique agro-ecological diversity and rich traditional knowledge systems position the country as a potential leader in the global transition to sustainable agricultural practices.

However, careful planning, robust infrastructure and targeted training are essential to avoid the pitfalls observed in other nations like Sri Lanka. By integrating modern technologies with natural farming methods, India can further optimise resources, ensure resilience against climate change and bolster long-term food security for its growing population. In essence, natural farming is not just a return to traditional practices but a forward-looking approach that harmonises ecological balance with agricultural productivity, fostering a sustainable future for generations to come.

(The writer is Scientist in Odisha University of Agriculture & Technology; views are personal)