Natural farming
Our women practice zero budget natural farming which is a farming method that believes in growing crops in tune with nature. They are growing vegetables and millets under this method.
Natural Farming is a chemical-free traditional farming method. It is considered as agroecology based diversified farming system which integrates crops, trees and livestock with functional biodiversity.
In natural farming chemical or organic fertilizers are not added into the soil in fact, decomposition of organic matter by microbes and earthworms is encouraged right on the soil surface itself, which gradually adds nutrition in the soil, over the period.
Use of manure and vegetable residues (compost), The recycling of organic materials. Use of alternative plant protection (natural enemies) and nutrition products. Use of local animal varieties and local animal breeds adapted to the particular conditions of the area.
Dr Subhash Palekar is an agricultural scientist who pioneered the concept of Natural Farming in the country. Palekar drew his inspiration from ancient Indian farming techniques, at the heart of which are cow dung and cow urine he did this in the mid-1990s as an alternative to the Green Revolution’s methods driven by chemical fertilizers and pesticides and intensive irrigation
Components of Natural Farming
- Beejamrit.
- Jivamrit.
- Mulching.
- Whaaphasa.
- Plant Protection.
- Universal Principles of Natural farming.
There are several states practicing Natural Farming. Prominent among them are Andhra Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Kerala, Jharkhand, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.