DECEMBER 2024 GS3 DAW
Q12. What is Zero Budget Natural Farming? List the objectives of Zero Budget Natural Farming
and analyse the issues in implementation of Zero Budget Natural Farming. (150 words, 10 marks)
Approach
Introduction: Define Zero Budget Natural Farming.
Body:
• Explain the objectives of Zero Budget Natural Farming.
• Explain the issues in implementation of Zero Budget Natural Farming.
• Write a way forward.
Conclusion: Conclude appropriately.
Introduction: Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) is a sustainable agricultural practice that
eliminates chemical inputs and reduces farming costs. It relies on natural resources and traditional
knowledge to enhance soil fertility and crop productivity. The term "zero budget" highlights the goal of
reducing farming costs to near zero.
Data:
• Area under ZBNF: Currently eleven states practice ZBNF in over 6.5 Lakh hectares.
• Farmers practicing ZBNF: It is roughly estimated that around 2.5 million farmers in India are
already practicing regenerative agriculture
Objectives of Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF):
• Crop productivity: ZBNF aims to increase yields by using natural methods that enhance soil
health and crop resilience.
• Eliminates chemical inputs: It promotes farming without chemical fertilizers or pesticides, and
relies on natural inputs like cow dung and urine.
• Supports small farmers: ZBNF aims to lower farming costs, and benefits small and marginal
farmers struggling with high agricultural expenses.
• Reduces resource usage: It minimizes water and electricity consumption, and makes farming
eco-friendly and resource-efficient.
• Enhances climate resilience: By avoiding toxic chemicals, ZBNF helps protect the environment
and improves biodiversity.
• Conserves soil health: Natural inputs used in ZBNF improves soil fertility, structure, and overall
health over time.
• Improves nutrition: Crops grown without chemicals are more nutritious and safer for
consumption, and benefits public health.
Issues in implementation of Zero Budget Natural Farming:
• Not truly zero budget: Costs for maintaining cattle, family labour, electricity, and materials make
ZBNF financially challenging for small farmers.
• Threat to food security: Transitioning from the Green Revolution model without proof could
risk India's self-sufficiency and food security.
• Certification challenges: Farmers struggle to certify their produce as chemical-free due to the
absence of proactive supply chain systems.
• Lack of scientific validation: ZBNF lacks independent studies to verify its viability, and multi-
location trials are needed for conclusive evidence.
• Drop in returns: Farmers in Maharashtra switched back to conventional farming after ZBNF
returns fell, which has raised doubts about its ability to increase income.
• High maintenance of cattle: Rising fodder costs and declining indigenous cattle populations
make ZBNF cattle upkeep unsustainable for small farmers.
• Non-inclusive approach: Studies show ZBNF benefits middle-level farmers, while marginal
farmers face exclusion due to resource constraints.
• Unrealistic nutrient claims: ZBNF incorrectly claims most nutrients come from air and water,
and this claim ignores soil-specific needs and scientific evidence.
• Scalability issues: ZBNF remains untested for large-scale food production, which makes it risky
to implement nationwide.
• Policy underfunding: Programs like Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana receives inadequate
funding, and this limits support for organic farming promotion.
Steps taken by the government to promote Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF):
• Bharatiya Prakritik Krishi Paddhati (BPKP): This scheme promotes traditional farming
practices, and helps in reducing reliance on purchased inputs, and supports natural farming
methods.
• Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY): States are encouraged to adopt organic farming
models, including ZBNF, as per farmers’ preferences, with financial and technical support.
• Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY): State committees receive funds to promote sustainable
practices like organic and natural farming.
• National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA): Farmers receive financial aid under
this mission to adopt sustainable methods, including ZBNF, to enhance long-term agricultural
sustainability.
• Research by ICAR: The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) develops crop-specific
organic farming packages at 20 centers across 16 states to support ZBNF implementation.
• Mission Organic Value Chain Development (MOVCDNER): In the North Eastern region,
financial aid of Rs. 25,000 per hectare for three years is provided for organic inputs, with
additional support for infrastructure.
• Soil Health Management Scheme: Assistance up to Rs. 190 lakh per unit is provided to state
agencies for compost production units.
Way forward:
• Scientific validation: Conduct multi-location studies to assess the long-term impact and
effectiveness of ZBNF before scaling it nationally.
• Institutional support: Establish dedicated institutional mechanisms to support and promote
ZBNF practices among farmers.
• MSP alignment: Align Minimum Support Prices (MSP) with ZBNF input costs and implement
Price Deficiency Schemes for specific crops.
• Reduce cultivation costs: Link farm activities with MGNREGS to lower labour and cultivation
costs for small and marginal farmers.
• Farmer training: Provide regular training programs and awareness campaigns to educate farmers
about ZBNF techniques and their benefits.
• Market linkages: Develop strong market linkages and certification mechanisms to ensure fair
prices for ZBNF produce, and encourage its wider adoption.
Conclusion: ZBNF can be a sustainable solution for doubling farm incomes in India if effectively
implemented at scale. It has the potential to improve soil health, reduce input costs, increase crop yields,
and promote sustainable agriculture. Achieving this goal will require coordinated efforts from
policymakers, farmers, and stakeholders to support the adoption of ZBNF and overcome associated
challenges.
