Natural farming
Also called: National Mission on Natural Farming · Topic: Land Use, Farming Systems and Cropping Seasons in India · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
Natural farming grows crops without bought chemical fertilisers or pesticides. It relies only on inputs made on the farm. The main ones are jeevamrit, a fermented mix based on cow dung and urine that feeds soil microbes, and beejamrit, a similar mix used to treat seeds before sowing. Farmers also use mulching, which means covering the soil with crop waste to keep in moisture, and they grow mixed crops together. The goal is to cut farm costs and rebuild soil health. It draws on old Indian practices such as gokrishi (farming with cow manure and bullocks).
Example
In November 2024 the government launched the National Mission on Natural Farming. It aims to bring 7.5 lakh hectares under natural farming.
Don't confuse with
- Organic farming: this also avoids synthetic chemicals, but it may use bought organic inputs such as compost and seed cake. It usually needs certification to sell produce as organic. Natural farming depends on inputs made on the farm itself.
Related concepts
- Rice-wheat cropping system
- NPK ratio imbalance
- Punjab Preservation of Subsoil Water Act 2009
- Direct seeded rice
- Zero tillage
- System of Rice Intensification
- Crop diversification
- Organic farming
- Sikkim organic state
- Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana