GS Paper III

News Excerpt:

In the 2024-25 Budget, the Union Finance Minister proposed that over the next two years, one crore farmers will be introduced to natural farming, supported by certification and branding.

More Details about the News

• This initiative will be implemented through scientific institutions and gram panchayats, with the establishment of 10,000 bio-input resource centers tailored to local needs.

• The natural farming scheme under the ‘Bharatiya Prakritik Krishi Paddhati’ has a total budget of ₹4,645.69 crore for six years (2019-20 to 2024-25).

Natural Farming

• Natural farming eliminates the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, promoting traditional practices based on on-farm biomass recycling.
• This includes biomass mulching, on-farm cow dung-urine formulations, pest management through diversity, and botanical concoctions, excluding all synthetic chemical inputs.
• The focus is on enhancing natural nutrient cycling and increasing organic matter in the soil.
• Advocates of natural farming argue it can boost farmers' incomes while providing benefits such as soil fertility restoration, environmental health improvement, and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

Concern 

• Agriculture and food experts express concern about a large-scale transition to natural farming in India due to its vast population and food production needs.

Academic Paper on Natural Farming:

• Recently an academic paper was released on natural farming titled ‘Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF).
• The study highlighted significant disparities in the outcomes of two ZBNF experiments.
• One study by the Centre for Economic and Social Studies (CESS) and the Institute for Development Studies Andhra Pradesh showed positive results. Andhra Pradesh has seen encouraging results with ZBNF.
• Second study by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the Indian Institute of Farming Systems Research (IIFSR) raised concerns about sustainability and yield potential. It reported a 59% decline in wheat yields and a 32% decline in basmati rice yields
• These study papers emphasize the need for long-term experimentation before endorsing natural farming nationwide.

Lessons from Sri Lanka

• The transition to natural farming requires careful consideration. Sri Lanka's decision to ban chemical fertilizers and switch entirely to organic farming led to economic and political turmoil.
• Farmers struggled to access natural fertilizers, resulting in reduced yields of key crops like rice, threatening the country's food security.
• This policy shift caused sharp price increases, leading to widespread protests and unrest.

Expert Opinions

• Economists suggest that natural farming could be beneficial locally but may not be viable on a large scale in India.
• They emphasize that food security is a major concern, and adopting natural farming for staple cereals like wheat and rice could lead to lower yields, potentially feeding only a third of the population.
• They advocate for rigorous scientific testing of natural farming methods, especially concerning crop yields, before nationwide implementation to avoid risking national food security.