Relevance: GS-3: Major Crops - Cropping Patterns in various parts of the country, - Different Types of Irrigation and Irrigation Systems; Storage, Transport and Marketing of Agricultural Produce and Issues and Related Constraints; E-technology in the aid of farmers.

Key Phrases: Zero-budget farming, Natural Farming, Agroecology, Traditional indigenous practices, Mulching, Biomass recycling, GMOs (genetically modified organisms).

Why in News?

• In her budget speech 2022, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman reaffirmed the Centre’s commitment to natural, chemical-free, organic and zero-budget farming. It is the third time in the last four budget speeches where (zero budget) natural farming finds a mention.
• While the FM talked of promoting natural or chemical-free farming across the country, especially in a corridor in the Gangetic basin, no specific allocations have been made to the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.

Background:

• Natural Farming is a chemical-free alternative to traditional farming methods. It is considered as an agroecology based diversified farming system which integrates crops, trees and livestock with functional biodiversity. In India, Natural farming is promoted as Bharatiya Prakritik Krishi Paddhati Programme (BPKP) under centrally sponsored scheme- Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY).
• However, currently-operational schemes such as the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana and the National Project on Organic Farming did not find any mention in the budget. But the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana, which has received a 4.2-times (year-on-year) larger allocation of Rs 10,433 crore, will earmark some funds for the on-ground implementation of chemical-free farming.

Benefits of Natural farming:

• It creates higher natural levels of resistance to pests and disease.
• Improvement in Soil health levels - It works on creating a healthier soil instead, encouraging the link between healthy plants and protected soils.
• Less groundwater pollution - Organic farming eliminates the use of synthetic products to maximize the yields that can be produced.
• More sustainable, better for our climate
• Organic garbage can be composted and reused - Farmers can often create their own fertilizers at their farming location
• Better nutrition values on average
• No use of GMOs (genetically modified organisms) - Farmers are permitted to cross-breed plants (or animals) to encourage better natural production levels.
• Better for the health of farmers - Farmers who are involved in the organic farming process are not exposed to potentially dangerous synthetic ingredients
• This farming process supports pollinators - One of the biggest risks to bees and other pollinators is a synthetic agricultural chemical application.

Challenges to Natural farming:

• May not be suitable for growing on a large scale
• Products may be too expensive for poor people
• Regulatory standards may be hard to meet for export purposes
• Organic farming needs plenty of knowledge
• High variance in yield and quality

Suggestions to scale up chemical-free farming:

• Promoting natural farming in rainfed areas beyond the Gangetic basin: Home to half of India’s farmers, rainfed regions use only a third of the fertilisers per hectare compared to the areas where irrigation is prevalent.
  • Also, the farmers stand to gain as the current crop yields in these areas are low.
• Securing insurance of organic farmers: Enable automatic enrolment of farmers transitioning to chemical-free farming into the government’s crop insurance scheme, PM Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY).
  • Any transition in agriculture — crop diversification, change in farming practices — adds to the farmer’s risk. Covering such risks could enhance the appetite of the farmers to embark on the transition.
• Promote microenterprises that produce inputs for chemical-free agriculture: Lack of readily available natural inputs acts as a barrier for farmers. For this setting up of village-level input preparation and sales shops can be explored.
• Leverage NGOs and champion farmers: For promoting and practising sustainable agriculture across the country. CEEW research estimates that at least five million farmers are already practising some form of sustainable agriculture and hundreds of NGOs are involved in promoting them.

• Upskill the agriculture extension workers: We need to move beyond evolving the curriculum in agricultural universities and focus on upskilling agriculture extension workers on sustainable agriculture practices.
• Leverage community institutions: for awareness generation, inspiration, and social support.
  • Institutions can facilitate an ecosystem in which farmers learn from and support each other while making the transition.
• Support monitoring and impact studies: Such assessments would ensure an informed approach to scaling up sustainable agriculture.
• Focus on dryland farming: Dovetail the ambition on millet promotion with the aim to promote sustainable agriculture.

Conclusion:

• India’s food system needs a holistic transformation in demand, production, and supply chains. Let’s hope 2022-23 is the inflection point when we convert intent into action in our journey towards achieving a chemical-free food system.

Sources: Indian Express

Mains Question:

Q. The road to transforming the agricultural practices in India is through natural farming. Discuss the challenges and suggest measures. [250 words]