The central government is anticipated to introduce a nationwide Natural Farming Certification System (NFCS)

What is Organic Agriculture?

Natural Farming is a farming method devoid of chemicals, grounded in Indian tradition and enhanced by contemporary insights into ecology, resource recycling, and optimization of on-farm resources.

Essential Characteristics of Natural Farming

Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF): A widely advocated method by Subhash Palekar, designed to significantly lower input expenses.

Key practices:

Beejamrit: Eco-friendly seed treatment.

Jeevamrit: Inoculating soil with fermented cow manure and urine.

Mulching and Waaphasa: Soil aeration and moisture preservation.

Minimal input, enhanced sustainability: Decreases reliance on purchased market inputs.

Advantages of Natural Farming

Reduced Input Expenses: Nature-based agriculture uses fewer outside inputs such as synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, potentially lowering total production expenses for farmers.

Promotes Improved Health: Since Natural Farming avoids synthetic chemicals, health risks and dangers are removed.

The food contains more nutritional density and thus provides greater health advantages.

Environment Protection: Natural Farming promotes enhanced soil biology, greater agro-biodiversity, and a more efficient use of water while significantly reducing carbon and nitrogen footprints.

Sustainable Farming Techniques: By steering clear of excessive chemical fertilizers and pesticides, organic farming fosters a more sustainable and regenerative method of agriculture.

Why is Certification Required?

Trust Development: It aids consumers in identifying authentic natural agricultural products.

Market Access: It allows farmers to obtain higher prices and access specialized markets (both local and global).

Standardization: It creates consistency in natural farming methods.

Oversight and Responsibility: It guarantees traceability and quality assurance.

Obstacles in Expanding Natural Farming

Initial Yield Decrease: As farmers shifted from conventional to natural farming, many observed a short-term drop in crop production.

Restricted Scientific Support: While natural farming is advocated as ecologically sustainable, substantial large-scale, long-term research confirming its productivity, resilience, and scalability across various agro-climatic zones is scarce.

Insufficient Institutional Assistance: Collaboration among agricultural departments, research organizations, and rural institutions is lacking.