India’s path to sustainable agriculture – embracing natural farming

The agricultural sector has long been the backbone of the Indian economy. Nevertheless, the traditional farming methods in use have caused harm to the environment, posed health risks and created financial difficulties for farmers. By shifting towards natural farming practices, the country can find a sustainable solution that tackles these challenges while also fostering ecological harmony and ensuring food security. Here are some of the reasons why India should adopt natural farming. This article is by WOTR Communications

Natural farming, often referred to as zero budget natural farming, involves using natural elements and methods to grow crops instead of relying on artificial inputs such as chemicals and pesticides commonly used in conventional agriculture practices. This method highlights the importance of utilising substances such as cow dung and urine as fertilisers while avoiding the use of synthetic chemicals that can harm the environment. The core idea behind farming is to cooperate with nature to improve soil quality and promote biodiversity and ecological equilibrium for better food production outcomes.

Numerous states have embraced natural farming and established effective practices in this field. Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Himalayan Pradesh, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and Kerala stand out as some of the states in this regard. Currently over 1 million hectares of land in India are dedicated to natural farming. As of March 2023, 4.2 per cent of India’s cultivated land is used for organic farming and only 3 per cent of the nation’s 146 million farmers practise organic agriculture.

Urgent need to address environmental issues
India is dealing with environmental issues such as soil degradation and water scarcity as well as a decline in biodiversity due to the excessive application of chemical fertilisers and pesticides. Soil degradation due to the continuous use of fertilisers and pesticides has led to a decline in soil quality and fertility – with studies estimating that at least 40 per cent of India’s arable land is degraded as a result of chemical farming practices. Water scarcity is worsened by farming methods that utilise a lot of water and contribute to the existing water crisis in several areas around the world. Implementation of natural farming practices, like organic mulching and applying organic matter can enhance soil moisture retention significantly without relying heavily on irrigation.

The decrease in biodiversity is a consequence of relying on monoculture in agriculture, resulting in reduced crop variety and the disappearance of several native species from the environment. Natural farming fosters biodiversity by supporting the cultivation of different crops and preserving natural habitats. Switching to natural farming can offer significant economic benefits and is especially advantageous for small and marginal farmers who face challenges due to the expensive nature of chemical inputs. Key economic advantages comprise:

• Reduced production expenses: With natural farming, input costs can be reduced by up to 60-70 per cent as it eliminates the reliance on chemical fertilisers and pesticides. According to a study in Andhra Pradesh, the median cost of cultivation per acre for zero budget natural farming (ZBNF) practitioners was significantly lower than for non-ZBNF farmers for certain crops. For instance, ZBNF farmers spent a median of Rs 12,200 per acre on rice cultivation, compared to Rs 14,700 for non-ZBNF farmers. Similarly, for maize, the median expenditure per acre was Rs 15,660 for ZBNF farmers and Rs 17,425 for non-ZBNF farmers.
• Increase in net earnings: Farmers who engage in farming have noted a rise in their overall earnings. The same study quoted above, undertaken by Andhra University (surveyed over 3500 natural and conventional farms), also revealed a significant increase in net revenues for farmers practising natural farming. Paddy farmers saw their net revenues increase by 15-65 per cent. depending on the crop season, while those cultivating commercial crops such as chillies, cotton and onion experienced an even more impressive boost of 40-165 per cent in net revenues compared to conventional farming methods. Overall, the study concluded that the average net returns from natural farming were a remarkable 50 per cent higher than those from conventional farming.
• Resilience to market volatilities: The varied crop systems used in natural farming help farmers withstand the impacts of market price fluctuations by offering multiple reliable income streams.

Health benefits to consumers
The health risks associated with farming practices are becoming more worrisome with each passing day. Residues of pesticides found in our food can have consequences for our health such as increased risk of cancer and causing neurological disorders. Statistics from the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare reveal an alarming annual consumption of roughly 60,000 tonnes of chemical pesticides in India during the period from 2017-18 to 2021-22.

Natural farming methods provide a safer approach to producing food without compromising our health and well being. Natural farming methods, which eschew the use of chemicals, are key to producing healthy food options. This is particularly significant as urban consumers increasingly prioritise food safety and actively seek out organic produce. Natural farming practices produce crops of higher nutritional value, delivering both enhanced health benefits for consumers and contributing to improved food security.

Building resilience to climate change
The effects of climate change are becoming more noticeable with each passing day. Agriculture is among the sectors facing the greatest challenges from it. The use of natural farming methods can help improve resilience in various ways:

• Enhancing soil health: Employing organic matter and growing a diverse variety of crops in natural farming helps the soil sequester carbon effectively while also benefiting soil fertility in the long run. 
• Adapting to Climate Change: Following natural farming methods encourages biodiversity that can enhance the resilience of crops against harsh weather conditions and pests or diseases. This adaptability is vital as weather patterns grow increasingly erratic.

Social benefits for the community 
Natural farming also carries social consequences as it encourages the growth of community bonds and empowerment. It promotes the exchange of knowledge and resources among farmers to foster community bonds and drive shared efforts towards sustainable practices. Most women residing in rural regions are engaged in the agricultural sector as a means of livelihood. Transitioning to Natural Farming provides opportunities to women that are critical for promoting gender equality. 

Challenges
Switching to farming may come with its fair share of advantages; however it is not entirely free of challenges: 

• Lack of awareness: Many farmers are not fully informed about the advantages and practices of natural farming highlighting the need for education and training initiatives to support this shift.
• Resistance to change: Farmers who have been using methods for many years may be resistant to embracing new approaches to farming. The key to overcoming this resistance lies in showcasing the advantages through pilot projects, demonstration plots, exposure visits and real life success stories. 
• Policies favouring chemical farming: Current agricultural policies tend to lean towards supporting chemical farming over Natural farming. If a transition is to be achieved, policy focus should lean in support of the latter.

Moving towards natural farming isn’t just about changing agricultural practices — it’s a vital transformation for India’s economy and overall well being of the environment and society as a whole. By adopting natural farming methods India can tackle important issues such as environmental degradation, ensuring food security and alleviating poverty among farmers while also encouraging healthier food production systems.

(Courtesy: WOTR/ wotr.org)