Should India Focus on Natural Farming? Exploring Alternative Perspectives

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Context

• Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced that, over the next two years, one crore farmers across India will be introduced to natural farming, supported by certification and branding.
• The implementation will involve scientific institutions and gram panchayats, and 10,000 need-based bio-input resource centers will be established.

What is the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF)?

• As part of the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF), the goal is to encourage farmers to transition to chemical-free farming methods.
• The mission aims to shift farmers towards natural farming based on the system’s merit.
• Success will depend on changing farmers’ behavior from chemical-based inputs to cow-based, locally-produced inputs.
• The natural farming scheme, under the ‘Bharatiya Prakritik Krishi Paddhati,’ has a total outlay of ₹4,645.69 crore for six years (2019-20 to 2024-25).

DETAILED AND COMPREHENSIVE ARTICLE ON NATURAL FARMING: https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/natural-farming#:~:text=Natural%20farming%20as%20an%20ecological,sustainable%20way%20of%20growing%20food.

Budget 2024: What’s in it for Agriculture?

• Higher Allocation for Agriculture: The Budget 2024 allocates increased funds for agriculture but includes reductions in fertilizer and food subsidies, which has raised concerns among farmers.
• Land Reform Measures: The Budget includes plans for land reform measures, with consultations involving State governments.
• Urban and Rural Land Reforms: The Finance Minister announced urban and rural land reforms, which have been positively received.
• Climate Finance Taxonomy: FM Sitharaman indicated that India will develop a climate finance taxonomy.

What is Natural Farming?

Natural farming is an agricultural practice that avoids the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Instead, it relies on traditional, indigenous farming methods that emphasize on-farm biomass recycling. Key practices include:

• Biomass Mulching: Utilizing crop residues and other organic materials to cover the soil, which helps retain moisture and improve soil health.
• Cow Dung-Urine Formulations: Applying formulations made from cow dung and urine to enhance soil fertility and plant growth.
• Pest Management Through Diversity: Managing pests by promoting biodiversity, which helps naturally control pest populations.
• On-Farm Botanical Concoctions: Using plant-based mixtures to manage pests and diseases.
• Exclusion of Synthetic Chemicals: Avoiding all synthetic chemicals, both directly and indirectly, to maintain the natural balance of the ecosystem.

The focus of natural farming is on improving natural nutrient cycling and increasing organic matter in the soil. This agro-ecological approach integrates crops, trees, and livestock, optimizing the use of functional biodiversity.

Advocates of natural farming believe it can enhance farmers’ income, restore soil fertility, improve environmental health, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Challenges and Concerns

There are several challenges and concerns associated with the large-scale adoption of natural farming in India:

• Population and Food Security: Given India’s large population, transitioning from chemical to natural farming on a large scale poses significant challenges. The country must meet the food demands of its vast population, and any decrease in crop yields could jeopardize food security.
• Contrasting Study Outcomes: A recent academic paper, ‘Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF): Implications for Sustainability, Profitability, and Food Security,’ highlights contrasting outcomes from different studies on ZBNF, which is now termed Bhartiya Prakritik Krishi Paddhati. The paper, published by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development and the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations, revealed:
• Centre for Educational and Social Studies’ Study: This study indicated that lower costs of biological inputs under ZBNF resulted in improved crop yields and increased farmers' incomes, thereby enhancing food and nutritional security.
• ICAR-Indian Institute of Farming Systems Research (IIFSR) Study: Conversely, research by ICAR-IIFSR reported a 59% decline in wheat yields and a 32% decline in basmati rice yields compared to integrated crop management. This significant decrease in yield could negatively impact food supply and food security.

Lessons from Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka's experience provides important lessons for India’s approach to natural farming. A few years ago, Sri Lanka decided to transition entirely to organic farming and banned the import of chemical fertilizers. This policy shift led to severe consequences:

• Fertilizer Shortages: Farmers faced difficulties accessing natural fertilizers, which affected their ability to maintain crop yields.
• Reduced Yields: Key crops, including rice, experienced reduced yields, putting the country’s food security at risk.
• Price Hikes and Unrest: The shortage of food led to a sharp increase in prices, resulting in widespread protests and political unrest.

What is the Way Forward?

• Economist M.S. Sidhu offers a cautious perspective on the large-scale adoption of natural farming in India. He suggests that while natural farming may be beneficial at a localized level, its application on a national scale may not be feasible due to food security concerns. Sidhu emphasizes the following points:
• Food Security: If natural farming were adopted for staple crops like wheat and rice, it might only be able to feed about one-third of India’s population. This could lead to lower yields and food shortages.
• Scientific Testing: Rigorous scientific testing is essential to assess the impact of natural farming on crop yields before its nationwide implementation. This will help mitigate risks to national food security and ensure that natural farming practices are sustainable and effective.

In conclusion, while natural farming presents potential benefits, its large-scale implementation requires careful planning, extensive research, and a consideration of food security implications.

SOURCE: THE HINDU