Natural Farming

(Relevant for Geography Section of General Studies Paper Prelims/Mains)

Natural Farming

Natural Farming is both an art and a practice, and it’s progressively becoming a scientific endeavor focused on harmonizing with nature to attain higher outcomes with fewer resources. Nonetheless, this approach has often been linked to reduced crop yields and limited improvements in farmers’ incomes.

This agricultural approach was introduced by Masanobu Fukuoka, a Japanese farmer and philosopher, in his 1975 book ‘The One-Straw Revolution.’

It represents a diverse farming system that integrates crops, trees, and livestock, facilitating the optimal utilization of functional biodiversity.

Globally, Natural Farming is recognized as a type of regenerative agriculture, a prominent strategy for environmental conservation.

It offers the potential to not only increase farmers’ income but also contribute to soil fertility restoration, environmental well-being, and the mitigation or reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

This approach has the capability to effectively manage land practices and sequester carbon from the atmosphere into soils and plants, where it can be highly beneficial.

Several initiatives have been launched in this context:

• Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY)
• Sub-mission on AgroForestry (SMAF)
• National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA)
• Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yoj

Measures that can be taken to scale up Natural Farming

• Expanding Beyond the Ganga Basin: The focus should extend to the promotion of natural farming in rainfed regions beyond the Gangetic basin.
• Rainfed areas utilize only one-third of the fertilizers per hectare compared to irrigated regions, making the transition to chemical-free farming more feasible.
• Moreover, farmers in these regions can benefit significantly as current crop yields are comparatively low.
• Mitigating Risks for a Smooth Transition: To facilitate a seamless shift to chemical-free farming, farmers transitioning should be automatically enrolled in the government’s crop insurance scheme, PM Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY).
• Any change in agricultural practices, such as crop diversification or altered farming methods, introduces additional risks for farmers. Addressing these risks could encourage more farmers to embrace the transition.
• Supporting Agricultural Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (Agri MSMEs): The government should extend support to microenterprises that produce inputs for chemical-free agriculture.
• To tackle the challenge of the limited availability of natural inputs, the promotion of natural farming should go hand in hand with the establishment of village-level input preparation and sales shops. With two such shops in every village nationwide, it could provide livelihood opportunities for at least five million youth and women.
• Inspiration from Fellow Farmers: NGOs and exemplary farmers who have championed sustainable agriculture practices across the country can serve as inspirational figures.
• According to research by CEEW (Council on Energy, Environment, and Water), approximately five million farmers are already engaged in some form of sustainable agriculture, with numerous NGOs actively promoting these practices.
• Learning from peers, especially exemplary farmers, through on-field demonstrations has proven highly effective in scaling up chemical-free agriculture in Andhra Pradesh.
• Leveraging Community-Based Institutions: Community institutions can play a pivotal role in raising awareness, inspiring others, and providing social support.
• The government should foster an environment where farmers can learn from and support each other during the transition.
• Beyond revising the curriculum in agricultural universities, there is a pressing need to enhance the skills of agricultural extension workers in sustainable farming practices.

Sample Question for UPSC Sociology Optional Paper:

To master these intricacies and fare well in the Sociology Optional Syllabus, aspiring sociologists might benefit from guidance by the Best Sociology Optional Teacher and participation in the Best Sociology Optional Coaching. These avenues provide comprehensive assistance, ensuring a solid understanding of sociology’s diverse methodologies and techniques.

Natural Farming, Sustainable Agriculture, Masanobu Fukuoka, Regenerative Agriculture, Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana, Sub-mission on AgroForestry, National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture, Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yoj, Soil Fertility, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Rainfed Regions, Chemical-Free Farming, Agri MSMEs

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