News Highlights:
According to a new study by Natural Farming Programme revealed, Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) in Andhra Pradesh has led to significantly higher crop yield compared to organic or conventional (synthetic fertilisers and pesticides) farming.
Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF):
- About:
- Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZNBF) is the practice of growing crops without the use of any external inputs, such as pesticides and fertilisers.
- The phrase “Zero Budget” refers to all crops with zero production costs.
- The farmers’ revenue is increased as a result of ZBNF’s guidance towards sustainable farming methods that help to maintain soil fertility, assure chemical-free agriculture, and ensure a cheap cost of production (zero cost).
- Simply said, ZBNF is a farming technique that emphasises cultivating crops in harmony with the environment.
- Under the specific programme known as Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY), the government has been encouraging organic farming.
- This programme supports all different types of chemical-free agricultural methods, including Zero Budget Natural Farming.
- Components of Zero Budget Natural Farming:
- Jeevamrutha: It is a mixture of fresh cow dung and aged cow urine (both from India’s indigenous cow breed), jaggery, pulse flour, water and soil; to be applied on farmland.
- Bijamrita: It is a concoction of neem leaves & pulp, tobacco and green chillies prepared for insect and pest management, that can be used to treat seeds.
- Acchadana (Mulching): It protects topsoil during cultivation and does not destroy it by tilling.
- Whapasa: It is the condition where there are both air molecules and water molecules present in the soil. Thereby helping in reducing irrigation requirements.
- Principles of Zero Budget Natural Farming:
- Zero external inputs
- Crops to cover the soil for 365 days (Living Root)
- Soil disturbance at a minimum
- Biostimulants as essential catalysts
- Utilize native seed for mixed farming
- Mixed cropping
- The incorporation of trees onto the farm
- Conservation of moisture and water
- Bring animals into farming
- More organic debris in the soil
- Using plant extracts to control pests
- No artificial pesticides, herbicides, or fertilisers.
- Benefits of ZBNF:
- For all crops, ZBNF methods use between 50 and 60 per cent less water and electricity compared to non-ZBNF methods.
- Through multiple aerations, ZBNF greatly lowers methane emissions.
- By using mulching, it is also possible to prevent the burning of residue.
- In ZBNF, cultivation costs are lower.
- The cost of production could be decreased and agriculture could be turned into a “zero budget” endeavour since under ZBNF there is no requirement to spend money or take out loans for external inputs.
- This will enable many small farmers to escape the debt cycle and pave the way for the income of farmers to double.
- As ZBNF is a completely chemical-free technique, it is environmentally friendly and produces organic yields which fetch the farmers higher profits than from normal agricultural yields.
- It suits all crops in all agro-climatic zones.
Concerns with Zero Budget Natural Farming:
- Decline in yields:
- Sikkim (India’s first organic state), has seen some decline in yields following conversion to organic farming.
- Many farmers have reverted to conventional farming after seeing their ZBNF returns drop after a few years.
- While ZBNF has definitely helped preserve soil fertility, its role in boosting productivity and farmers’ income isn’t conclusive yet.
- ZBNF advocates the need for an Indian breed cow, whose numbers are declining at a fast pace.
- According to Livestock Census, the country’s total population of indigenous and nondescript cattle has dropped by 8.1%.
- Low expenditure by the government:
- Last year, the government launched Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana, a flagship Green Revolution scheme with an allocation of Rs 3,745 crore for the financial year 2019-20.
- Whereas the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana, which was meant to promote organic farming and soil health has been allocated Rs 325 crore only.
Pic Courtesy: Freepik
Content Source: Down to Earth