ZERO BUDGET NATURAL FARMING

 For more than four decades, the agricultural sector in India has been predominantly shaped by the Green Revolution. This transformative movement has had a profound impact on the economy, leading to increased agricultural production and productivity. However, it is crucial to acknowledge that relying solely on conventional farming techniques nowadays can have detrimental effects on both our soil and overall health. Not only does it render the soil infertile, but it also plunges farmers into debt. In contrast, the advent of modern agricultural practices, such as Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF), has revolutionized the industry by discarding outdated traditional methods. ZBNF encourages farmers to adopt a low-input, climate-resilient approach that utilizes cost-effective, locally-sourced inputs while eliminating the need for artificial or chemical fertilizers and industrial pesticides.

Principles of Zero Budget Natural Farming

• Key principles of Zero Budget Natural Farming include avoiding external inputs
• Maintaining soil cover with crops throughout the year
• Minimizing soil disturbance, using bio stimulants as catalysts
• Incorporating native seeds for mixed farming, practicing mixed cropping 
• Planting trees on the farm, conserving moisture and water
• Integrating animals into farming
• Increasing organic debris in the soil 
• Utilizing plant extracts for pest control, and avoiding artificial pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers.

Some of the key advantages of Zero Budget Natural Farming include:

• ZBNF methods require 50-60% less water and electricity for all crops compared to traditional methods.
• Methane emissions are significantly reduced through increased aeration in ZBNF practices.
•  Mulching helps prevent residue burning.
• Cultivation costs are lower in ZBNF.
• The rising costs of external inputs like seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides contribute to farmer debt and suicides.
•  ZBNF eliminates the need for spending money or taking out loans for external inputs, making agriculture a "zero budget" endeavor.
• This shift can help small farmers break free from the debt cycle and potentially double their income.
• ZBNF is environmentally friendly, chemical-free, and produces organic yields that fetch higher profits for farmers.
• Organic foods can help prevent diseases caused by non-organic foods, reducing the burden on healthcare infrastructure.
• ZBNF is suitable for all crops in all agro-climatic zones.