GS Paper III

News Excerpt: An academic paper jointly published by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) and the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER) has advised the government against hastily transitioning entirely to natural farming due to potential repercussions on national food production.

More About News: 

• The Disparities: The paper, titled 'Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF): Implications for Sustainability, Profitability, and Food Security' has identified significant disparities in findings between two studies on ZBNF conducted by the Centre for Economic and Social Studies (CESS) and the Institute for Development Studies Andhra Pradesh (IDSAP), as well as by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the Indian Institute of Farming Systems Research (IIFSR). This disparity underscores the complexity and variability of assessing the implications of ZBNF on sustainability, profitability, and food security.
• Production Disparity: The study revealed that despite the low input cost, returns for ZBNF farmers could not improve due to low yields under the ZBNF system. The rice had 22.6% and wheat had 18.2% lower cost of cultivation in ZBNF than integrated crop management (ICM); the returns fetched were also 58% lower in ZBNF,” the paper said. “The yield outcomes for basmati were 37% and for wheat were 53.9% lower than ICM after the second year. The study also predicted a 32% decline in basmati rice yields and a 59% decline in wheat yields from the current levels if ZBNF is adopted on a large scale.
• Challenges in Niche Markets: The study acknowledges the success of organic farming and related practices in niche markets where premium prices can offset lower yields. However, it warns against a complete shift to organic farming, emphasizing the need for resilient supply chain networks for the farm inputs required in natural farming.
• Recommendation for Long-Term Experimentation: In light of the disparities in research findings, the paper recommends long-term experimentation and thorough research before advocating for the nationwide adoption of ZBNF. It emphasizes the need for comprehensive studies and third-party surveillance to evaluate the impact of ZBNF on the environment, output sustainability, and overall agricultural productivity.
• Lessons from Sri Lanka: Drawing lessons from the Sri Lankan food crisis where due to widening currency deficits the government stopped the import of fertilizers and told its farmers to use locally sourced organic fertilizers.  This overnight shifting to organic state led to widespread crop failures, This further led to supplementing its food stocks from abroad, which made its foreign currency shortage even worse. The paper taking its lessons from the Lankan crisis highlights the importance of taking preparatory actions before transitioning to natural farming methods like ZBNF. 
• Suggestive Measure: It suggests measures such as educating farmers and consumers, creating adequate infrastructure, and maintaining supply chains to mitigate potential risks associated with the switch to natural farming.

About ZBNF:

• Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF): Zero budget natural farming (ZBNF) emerged as a chemical-free agricultural method, drawing inspiration from traditional Indian practices. It was spearheaded by Subhash Palekar, a Maharashtrian agriculturist and Padma Shri recipient, who introduced it in the mid-1990s. Palekar envisioned ZBNF as an alternative to the prevalent Green Revolution methods reliant on chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and intensive irrigation. He highlighted the escalating costs of these inputs, leading to farmer indebtedness and suicide, along with the adverse environmental impacts of chemical usage.
• Principles and Techniques: ZBNF advocates the application of jeevamrutha, a concoction of fresh desi cow dung, aged desi cow urine, jaggery, pulse flour, water, and soil, to enrich farmland with nutrients and enhance microbial activity. This fermented microbial culture promotes soil fertility and reduces dependency on external inputs. Additionally, bijamrita is utilized to treat seeds, while mixtures of neem leaves, tobacco, and green chilis are employed for pest management. The methodology of ZBNF emphasizes minimal watering, soil aeration, intercropping, bunding, and topsoil mulching, while discouraging intensive irrigation and deep plowing. Palekar opposes vermicomposting, typical in organic farming, due to concerns about introducing foreign composting worms that may harm Indian soils.
• Significance and Challenges: ZBNF holds significance in addressing farmer indebtedness, as highlighted by National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) data (almost 70% of agricultural households spend more than they earn and more than half of all farmers are in debt) showing high levels of debt among agricultural households. By reducing farmers' reliance on expensive inputs and loans, ZBNF aims to alleviate financial burdens and increase agricultural sustainability.

Conclusion:

While ZBNF holds promise in terms of sustainability and cost-effectiveness, the paper urges caution and emphasizes the need for further research and experimentation to better understand its implications. It underscores the importance of a nuanced approach and thorough evaluation before advocating for widespread adoption of ZBNF as a nationwide agricultural practice.