Organic & Natural Farming

Modern Farming Techniques

For years, farmers have been using chemical fertilizers and pesticides to get higher yields. But slowly, soil is losing fertility, water is getting polluted, and food is losing its natural taste and nutrition. To overcome this, many farmers are shifting back to organic and natural farming.

🌿 1. What is Organic Farming?

Farming without chemical fertilizers and synthetic pesticides.

  • Uses only natural inputs: compost, manure, bio-pesticides.
  • Certification is given (after 2–3 years) so products can be sold as organic.

Inputs Used:

  • Compost, vermicompost, green manure.
  • Cow dung, cow urine.
  • Neem cake, neem oil.
  • Bio-pesticides like Trichoderma, Pseudomonas.

Crops Grown Organically:

  • Vegetables: Tomato, spinach, okra, beans.
  • Fruits: Mango, banana, guava.
  • Grains: Rice, wheat, pulses.

🌱 2. What is Natural Farming?

A step beyond organic → minimum external inputs.

Promoted by Subhash Palekar (Zero Budget Natural Farming – ZBNF).

Relies on natural resources from the farm itself.

Key Practices:

  • Jeevamrut: A mix of cow dung, cow urine, jaggery, and pulse flour → natural growth promoter.
  • Beejamrut: Cow dung + cow urine solution used for seed treatment.
  • Mulching: Covering soil with crop residue to protect moisture.
  • Waaphasa: Maintaining moisture in soil without excess irrigation.

✅ Benefits of Organic & Natural Farming

Here's why these methods are beneficial:

  • Healthy, chemical-free food.
  • Improves soil fertility and earthworm activity.
  • Reduces input cost (no chemical fertilizer/pesticide purchase).
  • Higher market price for produce (2–3x compared to normal).
  • Environment-friendly.

⚠️ Challenges

Here's what to consider:

  • Yield may be slightly lower in first 1–2 years.
  • More labor required (manual weeding, preparation of bio-inputs).
  • Market access for organic produce can be difficult in some regions.

👉 Solution:

Form farmer groups (FPOs) to sell directly to urban markets, organic stores, or through online platforms.

🌍 Real-Life Example

  • In Andhra Pradesh: Lakhs of farmers have adopted Natural Farming (ZBNF), reducing costs drastically.
  • In Uttarakhand and Himachal: Organic fruits (apple, peach, plum) fetch double prices in cities.

✍️ Practical Exercise for You

Try this simple activity:

  • Prepare a small batch of Jeevamrut at home:
    • 10 kg cow dung + 10 liters cow urine + 2 kg jaggery + 2 kg pulse flour + handful of soil.
    • Mix in 200 liters water, ferment for 5 days.
    • Use this to water plants once a week.
  • Observe how plants look greener and healthier compared to chemical fertilizer.