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Module On Two days Training for Master

Trainers/ Champion Farmers/Extension
Ofcers On Natural Farming

Printed and published by

Govt. of India
National Centre for Organic & Natural Farming, Ghaziabad
Hapur Road, Kamla Nehru Nagar, Ghaziabad
https://ncof.dacnet.nic.in/ Email: [email protected]
Module On Two Days Training for Master Trainers /
Champion Farmers /Extension Officers on
Natural Farming
Published by: National Centre for Organic & Natural
Farming (NCONF) (An organization under Ministry of
Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Govt. of India)
Hapur Road, Sector-19, Kamla Nehru Nagar, Ghaziabad, Uttar
Pradesh- 201002 Year of Publication: 2022

Guidance by :
Sri. Priya Ranjan, IFS
Joint Secretary (INM & Hort.)

EDITOR
Dr. Gagnesh Sharma
Director (I/c)
National Centre for Organic & Natural Farming
Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
Government of India

SUB EDITOR
Dr. V.Y. Deoghare, Assistant
Director Dr. Ruchi, Jr.
Scientific Officer
Dr. Ankit Singla, Jr. Scientific
Officer Sh. Kishor Shedge, Jr.
Scientific Officer

Acknowledge the contributions of

ATMA & SAMETI Directorate Krishi Bhavan, Sector 10A, Gandhinagar,
Gujarat 382010
Disclaimer
The training module is designed to provide information and
motivation to our readers for understanding and practicing
different aspects of Natural Farming .
 Details of Training Programme
Training and awareness on Natural Farming: Natural Farming systems are knowledge
based, new entrants and transitional producers must become familiar with sound and
sustainable agricultural practices. Transitional producers should be prepared to read
appropriate information, conduct their own trials and participate in training programmes
and seminars etc. Natural Farming system relies on sound practices focused on
preventive strategies. Since there are often few natural remedies available to natural farming
producers for certain problems, prevention is the key element in natural farming.
Name of course: Two days training for Master Trainers/ Champion Farmers and
Extension Ofcers on different aspects of natural farming and certication systems.
Implementing Agencies: National/Regional Centre for Organic & Natural Farming will
organise the training programme as per annual action plan approved by the DA&FW.
Objectives: Field Functionaries and extension staff as well as progressive farmers will be
given technical know-how in the area of natural input production, package & practices based
on farmer’s experiences, on-farm resource practises, certification and marketing of natural
produce.
Programme Duration: Two Days-duration residential training course will be conducted in
collaboration with State Agriculture Department and Service providers (SPs) at different
districts of the states.
Selection of participants: 20 No. of participants will be invited through State Agriculture
Department, and Service providers (SPs). The nominations of the participants will be
invited 15-20 days prior to schedule of the training programme. The selection of the
participants will be done based on their experience in the eld of organic as well as
natural farming.
Eligibility for participation: Participants will be Lead resource persons (LRPs), Master
Trainers or Champion Farmers working for natural farming, RCs, registered under PGS-India
Programmes, service providers, extension ofcers and eld workers of central and
State Govt. Sectors and private/NGO sectors, FPOs/ FPCs, SHGs and progressive
farmers.
Course Content for training programme
Natural farming principles, practices and its integrated approach.
On-farm cattle based nutrient & pest management approaches including traditional
practices & natural production management planning.
Standards and Certication systems in natural farming and jaivik kheti portal
scopes and marketing.
Implementation frame work of current Govt. Schemes related to natural farming and
mission natural farming.
Visit to eld for demonstration
To gain practical knowledge the transitional producers should be prepared to visit Natural
Farming elds of nearby Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Agricultural universities or progressive
natural farmers’ eld and collect all relevant information and photographs related to farm
operation, yield, products, certication and processing information etc.
Guest Speakers
Two guest speakers will be invited for delivering lectures from expert panel of the
country working on natural farming. Experts will be invited from State
Govt./SAUs/SUs/CUs/KVKs/ natural farming progressive farmers and entrepreneur or
from various ICAR institutes etc.
01
 Schedule for Two Days Training Programme

Da Component Speaker Timings

y
Registration, Welcome of NCONF/RCONF 10:00 to 10:15 am
participants Ofcers
Natural farming principles, NCONF/RCONF 10:15 to 11:15 am
practices and its Ofcers
integrated
approach
Components of natural farming NCONF/RCONF 11:15 to12:15 am
Ofcers
On-farm & Off-farm input Experts from State 12:15 am to1:15
based nutrient management Govt./SAUs/SUs/CUs pm
along & Pest Management with /KVKs or from various
traditional practices &natural ICAR institutes and
1st production management progressive farmers
planning in natural farming or entrepreneur.
Discussion and queries - 1:15 to 1:30 pm

Standard Certication NCONF/RCONF 2:30 to 3:30 pm

Systems in natural farming and Ofcers
jaivik kheti portal scopes
and
operations including marketing
Implementation frame work of NCONF/RCONF 3:30 to 4:30 pm
current Govt. Schemes related Ofcers
to natural farming/ natural
farming mission.

Discussion and queries - 1:15 to 1:30 pm

Visit to model natural farm & Experts from State 10:00 am to 2:00
demonstration Govt./SAUs/SUs/CUs pm
/KVKs Start Ups/Agri-
Entrepreneurs or from
various ICAR Iinstitutes etc.
2nd
Discussion and queries - 3:00 to 4:00 pm
Certicate distribution and - 4:00 to 5:00 pm
Valedictory function

02
 Course Curriculum for Two DaysTraining for
Extension Ofcers and Staff
Pioneers and scholars of Natural Farming
Krishi-Parashar:
Systematically wrote the rst textbook on Agriculture in the world (c. 400
BCE). It deals with prediction of rainfall models on the basis of movement and
position of planets,Rainfall& its distribution, Indicators of drought, Management of
farming and cattle,Nutrient management, Seed collection & Preservation,
Agriculture tools & plough mechanics,Agronomic practices, Useful in modern
agriculture.
Sitadhyaksha chapter in Kautilya Arthashastra by Acharya Kautilya (321 BC):
It addresses importance of animal husbandry particularly of cows,
measuring rainfall, seed treatment and seed procurement, cropping pattern and
method and timings of harvesting the crop, etc.
Kashyapiya Krishi Sukti: By sage Kashyap (c. 800 CE):
A book deals excellent text on agriculture with details of rice production in
irrigated areas of India, cattle management, soil quality, growing pulses on high
land as well as vegetables, fruits, spice crops, ornamental plants. Theemphasis
was given on growing trees, preparing gardens, marketing and mining.
Vrikshayurveda:(c.1000 CE):
This book by Vaidya Surapala is a repository of agricultural knowledge,
includes information on garden construction, importance of plants, details of
plantation near buildings, procurement of seeds and plantation material, testing,
treatment, preparationof pits for planting, selection of land, methods of irrigation,
nutrition, manures, etc. Surapala has described a unique fermented liquid fertilizer-
cum-plant protection material called Kunapajala, which happens to be the rst
fermented natural liquid manure in the world. Further, important information isgiven
about plant nutrition, plant diseases, plant protection with natural
products/formulations, construction of gardens, miracles related to agriculture and
horticulture, use of plant species as an indicator of crops and animal production
and description of religious plants.
Upavanavinod (a text on arbori-horticulture) by Sarangadhar (1283–1301 CE):
Explained Sarngadhara-Paddhati. the topics viz. benets and losses from
trees near the house, soil,planting of trees, sowing of seeds, pits, distance between
trees, auspicious and inauspicious plants, irrigation (watering), garden construction,
digging wells, kunap (liquid manure), miracle of plants (amazing plants), natural
signs for growth of cereal crops, natural signs of animals and signs ofreproduction
of animals, etc.
Vishwavallabha by Chakrapani Mishra (1577 CE):
An eminent manuscript describing various aspects of agriculture keeping in
mind deals, region includes information on groundwater detection, soil testing,
plantation, water management, nutrition, disease and treatment, miracles of plant
and seeds etc. in dry, semi-arid and moist areas and hills.
Brihat Samhita by Varahamihir (600 AD):
Deals with widely ranging subjects as astronomy, Physics, geology,
horticulture, archaeology, etc including Vrikshayurveda as one of the major subjects.

03
 Lokopakara;1000-year-old manuscript:
Deals with methods and criteria for water divining, Vrikshayurveda and
methods for insect control, Perfumery, Veterinary medicine.
Krishi Gita (Agricultural Versus) ;(15th century by Vidwan C GovindaWarriar):
Includes useful crops on the coasts of India, large number of rice varieties
(124) for different areas described, many other crops with their varieties are
described.
It is well documented in literature that Indian agricultural history was rich, diverse and
high yielding before the advent of the Green Revolution, through the ages.

Pioneers of Natural farming in Modern India

There is also a broad tradition of 'natural farming', propounded by advocates such
as Shri Narayana Reddy (in Karnataka), Shri Shripad Dabholkar (Maharashtra),
Shri G Nammalvar (Tamil Nadu), Shri Deepak Suchde (Madhya Pradesh) and Shri
Bhaskar Save (popularly referred to as the 'Gandhi of Natural Farming', working in
Gujarat).
Natural Farming based on 'Zero-Budget' input cost, is a system developed in the
1980s by Indian farmer, agricultural scientist and extension agent Subhash Palekar
who established Zero budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) after a period of self- study
of vedas, organic farming and conventional agricultural science, testing methods
on his own farm.
The credit of the Shaping 'Natural Farming' movement in the country goes to
former Governor of Himachal Pradesh Shri Acharya Devvrat, who is presently the
Governor of Gujarat. It is the result of his sheer efforts that natural farming has
reached all the Panchayats and villages of the state in a small span of three years.
Evolution of ZBNF as a grassroots social movement and evolving into a major
policy initiative in Andhra Pradesh.
Himachal Pradesh under Prakritik Kheti Khushal Kisan Yojnastarted Natural
Farming under the nomenclature Subhash Palekar Natural Farming (SPNF) in
2018 and now it is implemented at large scale.
Govt. of India coined the terminology for natural farming 'Bhartiya Prakritik Krishi
Paddhati' (BPKP), though the roots of all kinds of terminologies exists in
Vrikshayurveda, a broad based knowledge of natural farming, which is completely
in harmony with nature.
Hon'ble Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman mentioned Natural Farming in her
speech on the occasion of union budget in the year 2019- 20 and invoked the need
to replicate this innovative model.
Hon'ble Prime Minister of India Sh. Narendra Modi while addressing a conference
on Natural Farmingon 16th December 2021 emphasised to go for adoption of
Natural Farming in India.
Prakrutik Krishi Vikas board was established in 2021-22 in Gujarat by the
Government of Gujarat.
Hon'ble Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman made announcements in her budget
speech 2022, about promotion of chemical free natural farming throughout the
country, with focus on farmers' land in 5km wide corridors along the river Ganga in
the rst stage. Budget also mentions that states will be encouraged to revise the
syllabus of agriculture universities to meet the needs of natural, zero- budgetand
organic farming, modern day agriculture, value addition and management.
These indicate the agricultural strength of various parts of India at a time when all

04
the farming was based on Natural Farming Systems before the advent of Agro-
chemicals. In addition, in recent history there is clear evidence of India leading with the
advent of Agroecology by enabling policy and program support all over the country.
Introduction
Natural farming is an ecological farming approach where farming system works
with the natural biodiversity, encouraging the soil’s biological activity and managing the
complexity of living organisms both plant and animal to thrive along with food production
system Natural farming major practices may include :No external inputs, Local seeds (use
of local varieties), Microbial Seed treatment, Microbial inoculants for soil health, Cover
crops for biomass mulching and bio-mass incorporation for creating a suitable micro-
climate for maximum benecial microbial activity, Mixed cropping, Integration of trees
into the farm, Integration of livestock, especially of native breed for cow dung and cow
urine as essential inputs for several practices, Water and moisture conservation. Natural
farming aims for restoring Soil Health, maintenance of diversity, animal welfare, Efcient
use of natural/local resources and ecological fairness and balances.

Need of Natural Farming

Rachel Carson (1962) in her book
'Silent Spring' awaked mankind about the
adverse effect of synthetic pesticides.
Thereafter, several researchers have
reported the ill effects of pesticides on the
environment as well as on living organisms.
After this, the research on an eco-friendly
approach to grow the crops gained
momentum and this paved a way towards
making ecological pest management
approaches. In Spite of implementation of
the ecologically based Integrated
Pest
Management Programme, the pesticides consumption has been increasing year after year
and reached a level of 62,192 MT during 2021, in India. The injudicious use of
pesticides and monoculture has further resulted in increased prevalence of insect-pests
and diseases, insecticides resistance, pest resurgence, pesticide residues in food
commodities and killing of natural enemies. Moreover, human manipulation in
ecosystems for agriculture production makes agroecosystems structurally and
functionally different from natural ecosystems. Therefore, plant diversication in the
agroecosystem is the need of hour for preventing the crops from pest infestations. Plant
diversication has many benecial impacts on the population dynamics of insects,
benecial organisms and diseases in agricultural ecosystems. The habitat
manipulation techniques such as intercropping, relay, and crop rotation can
signicantly improve pest management practices. The interactions between pathogens
or pests with their host plants may further provide an option for the prevention of pests.
Natural farming as an agroecological practice provides basic ecological principles on how to
study, design and manage agroecosystems that are productive, enduring and conserving
natural resources. Instead of focusing on one particular component of the agro
ecosystems, agroecology emphasizes the interrelatedness of agroecosystem
components and the complex dynamics of ecological processes such as nutrient cycling
and pest regulation. Therefore, design a cropping system in such a way that the main
and intercrops are unrelated to each other and antagonist to each other's pests. Natural
Farming is one such low input, climate resilient

05
type of farming that encourages use of low cost locally sourced inputs, reduces crop
water requirement, eliminates the use of industrial pesticides and has the potential to
minimize the cost of cultivation.

Major Objectives of Natural farming

Preserve natural ora and fauna
Restore Soil fertility and production and biological life
Maintain diversity of crop production
Efcient utilization of land and natural resources (light, air, water)
Promote inbuilt natural inspects, animals and microbes in soil
Promotion of local breeds of Livestock integration
Use of Natural / local based inputs
Reduce input cost of agricultural
production Improve economy of farmers

Denition of Natural Farming

The natural way of farming" or "do-nothing farming", is an ecological farming
approach established by Masanobu Fukuoka, a Japanese farmer and philosopher.
He introduced the term in his book The One-Straw Revolution, the four
principles of natural farming. No cultivation that is, no ploughing or turning of
the soil. The earth cultivates itself naturally by means of the penetration of plant
roots and the activity of microorganisms, small animals, and earthworms. No
chemical fertilizer or prepared compost- For fertilizer, Mr. Fukuoka grows a
leguminous cover of white clover, returns the threshed straw to the elds, and
adds a little poultry manure. No weeding by tillage or herbicides. No
dependence on chemicals: Mr. Fukuoka grows his grain crops without
chemicals of any kind. On some orchard trees, he occasionally uses machine
oil emulsion for the control of insect scales. He used no persistent or broad-
spectrum poisons, and has no “pesticide” programme.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare - Denition of Natural Farming
(NF) A chemical-free natural farming system wherein use of low-cost inputs
(cow dung/urine and plant extract based) coupled with recommended
agronomic practices like mulching and intercropping are promoted.
According to NITI Aayog, Natural Farming can be dened as “chemical- free
and livestock based farming”. This denition is based on the prevailing
practices. Soundly grounded in agro-ecology, it is a diversied farming system
that integrates crops, trees and livestock, allowing theoptimum use of functional
biodiversity.
Concept of Natural Farming
Natural Farming can be dened as “chemical- free farming and livestock
based”. Soundly grounded in agro-ecology, it is a diversied farming system that
integrates crops, trees and livestock, allowing the optimum use of functional
biodiversity. Natural Farming holds the promise of enhancing farmers’ income while
delivering many other benets, such as restoration of soil fertility and environmental
health, and mitigating and/or reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Natural Farming
builds on natural or ecological processes that exist in or around farms.

The 10 Elements of Agroecology

The 10 Elements of Agroecology framework was launched at the Second FAO
International Symposium on Agroecology held in April 2018 and continues to evolve.
In October 2018, the 10 Elements of Agroecology were supported by the FAO
Committee
06
on Agriculture (COAG) at its 26th Session as a guide to one of the ways to promote
sustainable agriculture and food systems. Following the review, revision, and clearance
process through FAO's governing bodies, the 10 Elements of Agroecology were
approved by the 197 Members of FAO to guide FAO's vision on agroecology by the 163
sessions of the Council on 2-6 December 2019.
• Diversity: diversication is key to agroecological transitions to ensure food
security and nutritionwhile conserving, protecting and enhancing natural
resources.
• Co-creation and sharing of knowledge: agricultural innovations respond
better to local challengeswhen they are co-created through participatory
processes.
• Synergies: building synergies enhances key functions across food systems,
supporting production andmultiple ecosystem services.
• Efciency: innovative agroecological practices produce more using less
external resources.
• Recycling: more recycling means agricultural production with lower economic
and environmental costs.
• Resilience: enhanced resilience of people, communities and ecosystems is key
to sustainable food andagricultural systems.
• Human and social values: protecting and improving rural livelihoods, equity
and social well-being isessential for sustainable food and agricultural systems.
• Culture and food traditions: by supporting healthy, diversied and culturally
appropriate diets, agroecology contributes to food security and nutrition while
maintaining the health of ecosystems.
• Responsible governance: sustainable food and agriculture requires
responsible and effective governance mechanisms at different scales - from
local to national to global.
• Circular and solidarity economy: circular and solidarity economies that
reconnect producers and consumers provide innovative solutions for living
within our planetary boundaries while ensuring thesocial foundation for inclusive
and sustainable development.

Fig : Interaction of the 10 Elements of Agroecology (Source: ATMA Gujarat)

07
Components of Natural
Farming Eco-balance
The impact of natural farming on natural resources favors interactions within the agro-
ecosystem that are vital for both agricultural production and nature conservation.
Ecological processes derived include soil forming and conditioning, soil stabilization, waste
recycling, carbon sequestration, nutrients cycling, predation, pollination and habitats. By
opting for natural farming farmer promotes a less polluting agricultural system. The hidden
costs of agriculture to the environment in terms of natural resource degradation are
reduced.
Diversity
Natural farming produces more biodiversity than
other farming systems. Traditional and adapted
seeds and breeds are preferred for their greater
resistance to diseases and their resilience to
climatic stress. Optimization of nutrient and energy
cycling for agricultural production occurs by diverse
combinations of plants and animals. The
maintenance of natural elds and absence of
chemical inputs create suitable habitats for wildlife.
The frequent use of under-utilized species (often as
rotation crops to build soil fertility) reduces erosion
of agro-biodiversity, creating a healthier gene pool -
the
basis for future adaptation. The provision of structures providing food and shelter, and the
lack of pesticide use, attract new or re-colonizing species to the natural area, including wild
ora and fauna (e.g. birds) predators. and organisms benecial to the organic system
such as pollinators and pest
Nutrient Cycling & Nutrient
Management through various on farm
inputs
Natural agriculture ecosystems rely on the
role of biodiversity for the recycling of nutrients
through soils rather than supplementing
the nutrients through use of off-- farm
inputs. Various on inputs stich Jeevamrut,
Ghanjeevamrut etc, are used for nutrient
management.
Minimal Soil disturbance & Whapasa
Reducing or suppressing the number of tillage Operations decreases fuel costs, increase
the economic efciency of agricultural activity. Direct. seeding has direct implications for
sustaining soil structure, reducing vulnerability to erosion that occurs when plowing.
Advantages of implementing these techniques includes reduction in the loss of soil and
nutrients and increasing biodiversity. The no soil disturbance allows edaphic fauna to be
more diverse and the food chain to be more complex. This is particularly relevant for soil
quality, as these organisms cause its aeration and promote water inltration. means the
mixture of 50% air and 50% water vapour in the cavity between two soil particles. It is the
soil's microclimate on which soil organisms and roots depend for most of their moisture
and some of their nutrients. It increases water availability, enhances water-use ef ciency
and builds resilience against drought.
08
Mulching
Soil surface is covered with both live crops and straw (dead
plant biomass) for conservation of moisture, it lowers down
soil temperature around plant roots, reduces run-off, prevent
soil erosion and reduces weed growth. Mulch material
decomposes gradually, which in-turn enhances the soil
organic matter.
Use of Indigenous seeds
Natural farming emphasizes on the use of indigenous locally
adapted varieties of seeds because of their high sustainability, better pest/ disease
resistance, economical suitability and limited requirement of inputs.
Pest management by natural methods
Natural farming promotes pest management through better agronomic practices (as
enshrined in Integrated Pest management) and through botanical pesticides (only when
necessary).
No synthetic inputs
Use of synthetic fertilizers and other synthetic inputs is harmful to the process of
regeneration and is not allowed in natural farming.
Ensuring live roots all around year
Soil may be covered with crops for maximum period of the year. The soil across a farm or
larger eld/collection of elds should have diverse crops, a minimum of 8 crops over the
year.
Integration of Livestock
Role of livestock is more critical in natural farms than in conventional farms. Integration of
livestock and crop allow nutrients to be recycled more effectively on the farm. Excreta
contain several nutrients (including nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium) and organic
matter, which are important for maintaining soil structure and fertility. Adding manure to the
soil not only fertilizes it but also improves its structures and water retention capacity. On nu
overage well decomposed farmyard manure contains 0.5 % N, 0.2 % P and 0.5 %K.
Excreta of sheep and goats contain higher nutrients than cattle manure and compost, on
an average it contains 3
% N, 1 9/0 P and 2 % K. The average nutrient content of droppings of bird is: 3.03 % N; 2.63
% P205 and 1 % K2O.

Fig: Components of natural farming

09
Benets of Natural Farming to the Farmers
Improve Yield: Farmers practicing Natural Farming reported similar yields to those
following conventional farming. In several cases, higher yields per harvest were also
reported.
Ensures Better Health: As Natural Farming does not use any synthetic chemicals, health
risks and hazards are eliminated. The food has higher nutrition density and therefore offers
better health benets.
Environment Conservation: Natural Farming ensures better soil biology, improved agro-
biodiversity and a more judicious usage of water with much smaller carbon and nitrogen
footprints.
Increased Farmers’ Income: Natural Farming aims to make farming viable and
aspirational by increasing net incomes of farmers on account of cost reduction, reduced
risks, similar yields, incomes from intercropping.
Employment Generation: Natural farming generates employment on account of natural
farming input enterprises, value addition, marketing in local areas, etc. The surplus from
natural farming is invested in the village itself.
Reduced Water Consumption: By working with diverse crops that help each other and
cover the soil to prevent unnecessary water loss through evaporation, Natural Farming
optimizes the amount of ‘crop per drop’.
Minimized Cost of Production: Natural Farming aims to drastically cut down production
costs by encouraging farmers to prepare essential biological inputs using on-farm, natural
and home-grown resources.
Eliminates Application of Synthetic Chemical Inputs: The overuse of synthetic
fertilizers, especially urea, pesticides, herbicides, weedicides etc. alters soil biology and
soil structure, with subsequent loss of soil organic carbon and fertility.
Rejuvenates Soil Health: The most immediate impact of Natural Farming is on the biology
of soil—on microbes and other living organisms such as earthworms. Soil health depends
entirely on the living organisms in it.
Livestock Sustainability: The integration of livestock in the farming system plays an
important role in Natural farming and helps in restoring the ecosystem. Ecofriendly bio-
inputs, such as Jeevamrit and Beejamrit, are prepared from cow dung and urine, and other
natural products.

Steps for Transition from Conventional to Natural Farming

The transition from conventional to Natural Farming requires numerous changes.
One of the biggest changes is in the mindset of the farmer. Conventional approaches often
involve the use of quick-x remedies that unfortunately, rarely address the cause of the
problem. Transitioning farmers generally spend too much time worrying about replacing
synthetic inputs to inputs derived from naturally occurring sources and considering
management practices based on preventive strategies. Here are a few steps which a
farmer should follow when making the transition to natural farming.

10
 Training and awareness on Natural Farming and
visit to nearby demonstrations:
To gain practical knowledge the transitional
producers should be prepared to visit Natural
Farming elds of nearby Krishi Vigyan Kendra,
Agricultural universities or progressive natural farmers’
eld and collect all relevant information and
photographs related to farm operation, yield, products,
certication and processing information
etc.
Start with at least one acre or part of your eld:
Transitional producers should start Natural farming in
atleast one acre area or some part of their eld and
conduct their own trials based on visited elds of
Krishi Vigyan Kendra,Agricultural universities or
progressive natural farmers’ eld.Successful natural
farmers continuously try new and/or innovative natural
practices. Natural practices such as multiple
cropping,cover cropping, intercropping and
use of various soil and pest control, natural preparations, needs to be evaluated regularly by
natural farmers and be prepared to try new approaches.

If fully convinced can think about converting whole farm into natural farming:
To convert whole farm the plants should clearly identify various steps to be taken in
making the transition to natural farming and be sure to include realistic timeframes. Identify
your strengths and weaknesses. Include all pre-requisites to begin the transition, such as
mechanical weeding equipments, composting equipments, additional handling equipments
dedicated to the natural products and processing equipments. Although, the demand
for natural products is continuously growing, grower needs to make sure they have a
reliable market for the natural products they plan to produce.

Arrange Cow or Cattle for natural farming:

Cow is basis of natural farming and dung from a
single cow is sufcient for 05 acres of land. It is
affordable, at the same time it prevents land
degradation and maintains soil fertility. Cow’s urine is
the best natural insecticides that is used to kill insects
and pests that can damage our crop. Be ready to
attend trainings on On-farm Input preparation based
on cow dung, urine and green leaf.
11
Maintain habitat and biodiversity in natural farm:
Management of an appropriate habitat for sustenance of
different life forms is an essential component of natural
farming. This can be achieved by ensuring crop diversity
and by maintaining a wide variety of trees and bushes as
per climatic suitability. These trees and bushes will not only
ensure the nutrients from air and deep soil layers to surface
layer but also attract the birds and predators, friendly
insects and also provide the food and shelter. There may
be some loss of productivity due to shading effect but that
loss can be compensated with reduced post problems and natural biological pest control
system. In the plains, for a 10-acre farm, plant at least ve to six neem trees (Azadirachta
indica), one to two tamarind (Tamarindus indica), two fular (Ficus glumerata), eight to ten
ber (ZizyphusSp) bushes, one to two aonla (Emblica ofcinalis), one to two drumstick and
10-15 wild bushes.

Crop rotation:
Crop rotation is the back bone of natural farming practices.
To keep the soil healthy and to allow the natural microbial
systems working crop rotation is must. Crop rotation is the
succession of different crops cultivated on same land.
Follow 3-4 years rotation plan. All high nutrient demanding
crops should precede and follow legume dominated crop
combination. Rotation of pest host and non pest host
crops help in controlling soil borne diseases and pest. It
also helps in controlling weeds. It is better for
improving
productivity and fertility of soil. Crop rotations help in improving soil structure through
different types of root system. Legumes should be used frequently in rotation with cereal and
vegetable crops. Green manure crops should also nd place in planning rotations. High
nutrient demanding crops should always be followed by legume crops and returned back to
soil.

Prepare Concoctions for enriching soil fertility, seed treatment and pests diseases
control:
A fertile and live organic soil ideally should have organic
carbon between 0.8-1.5%. At any point of time, it should
have adequate quantity of dry, semi decomposed and fully
decomposed organic matter for the use of micro-ora and
fauna. There should be at least 3-5 earth worms/cubic ft of
soil. There should be enough quantity of small life forms and
insects such as ants etc. use of some preparations of liquid
manures like sanjivak, jivamrut, amritpani and panchgavya helps to increase the fertility of
the soil.

12
Seeds/planting material Treatment:
In natural management, protection measures and used only in
the case of problematic situations. Use of disease-free seed
stock is the best option. There is no standard formulation or
treatment methodology, available as on today, but farmers use
different methods.

Soil enrichment:
During conversion period, soil fertility can be improved and
maintained initially through use of natural inputs like well
decomposed compost and green manure in appropriate
quantity. These inputs are used for feeding the soil. Well-fed
healthy soil rich in microora and microfauna takes care of the
crop nutrient requirement.

Follow mulching and moisture conservation:

A mulch is natural spread layer of plant residues or other
materials on the surface of the soil.Natural mulches are from
natural origin materials which can decompose naturallylike
agricultural wastes which are used as mulch such as
grasses,weed plants,wheat or paddy straw,plant leaves and
saw dust etc.It decays over time and it increase the water
holding capacity of soil.It also provides the soil with nutrients as it break down.It also
improves water use efciency indirectly. A mulched layer restricts the weed growth by
obstructing light penetration to the soil surface.

Follow good agricultural practices:

The production of food, bre, and other plant or animal products by the natural
techniques that protect the environment, public health, human communities, and animal
welfare.

Post-Harvest Management:
Post-harvest management is a system of handling, storing,
and transporting agricultural commodities after harvest. For
some commodities such as coffee and cocoa, post-harvest
activities may include drying and fermenting as well. The
importance of post-harvest management has been
established over the years—it strengthens the action chain
that produces, transports, and processes food and all other
related products that give sustenance to the world
population.

Maintain a record and photo of each and every activity:

Record keeping is one of the most important requirements in natural farming.
Farmers are expected to keep all detailed information and photographs regarding farm
operation, yield, products and processing information. Once the record keeping

13
requirements are understood, the reporting procedure established and paper work becomes
routine. This will help in certication process documentation.

Seed Selection
Mixed seed can lower the market value of the crop. Hence, the
source from which the seed is obtained is critical. Good quality
seeds are pure, with high germination capacity, uniform seed
size, colour and weight, besides being free from seed-borne
diseases. The seed viability determines the germination
capacity, the stand of the crop and its ultimate yield.

Soil Health Management through Natural Techniques

Soil is a fundamental and essential natural resource for the existence of all living
organisms. Soil health or quality is dened as the capacity of soil to function as a vital
living ecosystem that sustains plants and animals. Intensive crop cultivation using broadly
using imbalanced fertilizer, high nutrient mining through monoculture, decline in organic
matter status, deciencies of secondary and micronutrients, etc. have deteriorated the soil
health across the region in India resulting in declining crop productivity growth.

Nutrient deciency in Indian soils

Overall, about 59 and 36 percent of Indian soils are low and medium in available N,
respectively. Similarly, soils of about 49 and 45 percent area are low and medium in
available P, respectively; while soil s of around 9 and 39 percent area are low and medium
in available K, respectively (5). Among various soil characteristics that affect the availability
and uptake of micronutrients, soil pH and organic carbon content are the two most
important factors.

Micronutrient deciency in Indian soils

On an average, 36.5, 23.4, 12.8, 11.0, 7.1 and 4.2
percent soils are decient in zinc, boron, iron, molybdenum,
manganese, and copper, respectively, across the country.
(5). Our soils are very low in organic matter content and thus
have poor soil fertility. Organic carbon is an index of good soil
health and application of organic manures helps in
maintaining high organic carbon content of the soil. Soil
organic carbon (SOC) is the key constituent which dictates
soil physical condition, chemical properties including nutrient
status and biological health of a soil (3). Management
practices that reduce organic matter in soils, or bypass
biologically-mediated nutrient cycling also tend to reduce
the size and complexity of soil
communities. Soil organisms, both animals (fauna/micro-fauna) and plants (ora/micro-
ora), are important for maintaining the overall soil quality, fertility and stability of soil (15).
Organic matter helps soils hold onto water and nutrients and supports soil microbes that
recycle nutrients. They are intimately associated with biological and biochemical
transformations occurring in soil (9)(10). According to the estimates, there is a large
variation in SOC stock across states. The SOC stock of Indian soils is 10 to 12 percent of
the tropical regions and about 3 percent of the total carbon mass of the world.

14
Role of soil microorganisms

Fig. :- Formation and role of organic matter in the soil

For sustainable farming, healthy soil is the most important factor. Soil
microbiologists believe that healthy soil means living soil, which involves trillions upon
trillions of living microorganisms consuming rst organic matter, then each other, and
releasing nutrients in the process. There are some 150 species of arbuscular mycorrhizal
fungi (MF) that colonise the root systems of plants. Plants offer photosynthetic sugars to
MF, which in turn assist the plant by facilitating the uptake of mineral nutrients and water. In
healthy soil, mycorrhizal fungi grow immensely which works like a sponge. It helps in
improving soil aggregate stability, build soil carbon, improve water use ef ciency and
increase the efciency of nitrogen, phosphorus and sulphur. To increase the mycorrhizal
fungi, it needs to reduce/eliminate chemical use, reduce/eliminate tillage, reduce/eliminate
synthetic fertilisers and living plant cover as long as possible. Cover crop also reduces soil
temperature, which improves soil moisture condition and in turn helps in soil bacterial
growth. Thus, it also helps in building a soil carbon sponge, which absorbs water and
makes it available to the plants
(13). Further, (9) studies state that 95 percent of the bio-fertility of soils is about these
microbial processes, not the actual nutrient content in the soil or how much we put on as
fertiliser. The application of chemical fertilisers, biocides, tilling of lands, etc. is detrimental
to these soil microorganisms, and consequently roots of the plants act simply as straw
sucking mainly those nutrients, which has been supplied externally in the forms of chemical
fertilizers. Through biological processes, all kinds of 15 nutrients are made available to the
plants through decomposition of root biomass of previous crops or mulches.
Evidence suggests that crop residues are good sources of plant nutrients and can
increase yield and water use efciency, while decreasing weed pressure. Long-term
studies of the residue recycling have indicated improvements in physical, chemical and
biological health of soil Biological sciences (e.g. microbiology, ecology, soil science) with
their increasingly symbiotic and "probiotic" understandings of soil and plant life are also an
inspiration for the ecological renewal of agriculture. “Wallenstein” (16) argues that to restore
soils, we need to feed the soil microbes. It can be done by adding organic material back to
soil, minimizing tillage and stopping use of synthetic fertilizers and chemicals. Initially, a
Japanese farmer, Masanobu Fukuoka proposed natural farming, which is based on the
philosophy of working with natural cycles and processes of the natural world. It is
contemplated as a solution to end reliance on purchased inputs, improved family health &
nutrition, stable crop yield, consequently reduced indebtedness and suicides among Indian

15
farmers.
Natural farming promotes soil health and improves soil organic carbon and helps in
attaining sustainable agriculture with reduced carbon footprint. There are several variants of
Natural Farming, under which the farmers do local customization and adaptation according
to their local conditions. However, the most popular form of Natural Farming in India is the
advocacy by its chief proponent Sh. Subhash Palekar.
This form of Natural Farming is now known by millions of farmers across India
through training programmes for the farmers at different locations in the country for
promotion and propagation of its practices.

Nutrient Management & Practices to Maintain Soil fertility in Natural Farming Systems

Practices Impact on soil quality and crop production

Legumes in rotation Nitrogen xation, contributions to soil organic matter, brous
root systems contribute to loosening soil and quality
Manure application Provides nitrogen and other nutrients, increases level of soil
organic matter, improves soil tilth and quality
On-farm cycling Use of primarily green manure crops and animal manure
produced by feeding grain or forage on same farm helps in nutrient
balance
Cover crops Provide cover over the ground surface during much of
the year to prevent erosion, trap nutrients, contribute organic matter
Timely seeding Synchronize crop planting and growth cycle with
availability of nutrients from soil reserve
Reduced tillage Maintains crop residues on top of soil, where they break
down more slowly and provide nutrients when needed by later
crops
Crop–Alley rotation Rotation of crops with perennial pastures and grazing animals
provides manure, xed nitrogen, and green biomass to soil
Contour planting Seeding crops on contours or terraces reduces soil erosion
and thus, reduces nutrient losses with eroding soil
Crop–animal Integration of a diverse array of animal enterprises
systems provides an internal market for forages and helps cycle nutrients

Integrated Farming System

16
 Integrated Farming System (IFS) refers to diversi ed farming practices where plant
cultivation is preferred in combination with animal/birds/insect rearing, dairy production and or
fungal propagation (mostly mushroom production). It is also an essential feature of organic
and natural farming and is aimed to maximize the net prot out of intensive use of available
natural resources. IFS has been adopted and practiced across the globe since the eras as a
main source of livelihood. It may also be seen in the wild life with natural integration of ora,
fauna, wild mushrooms and microorganisms. Integration of lives in turn proves to be
symbiotic, sustainable, complementary, economic and creditable. In the modern time it is being
adopted with systematic approaches relying more on scientic evidences of net monetary
benets, sustainability, social obligation and ease of work with use of modern technology,
improved inputs and market driven requirements.
Advantages of IFS:
Higher food production to equate the demand of the exploding population of our nation
Increased farm income through proper residue recycling and allied components
Sustainable soil fertility and productivity through organic waste recycling
Integration of allied activities will result in the availability of nutritious food enriched with
protein, carbohydrate, fat, minerals and vitamins
Integrated farming will help in environmental protection through effective recycling of waste
from animal activities like piggery, poultry and pigeon rearing
Reduced production cost of components through input recycling from the byproducts of allied
enterprises
Regular stable income through the products like egg, milk, mushroom, vegetables, honey
and silkworm cocoons from the linked activities in integrated farming
Inclusion of biogas &agro forestry in integrated farming system will solve the prognosticated
energy crisis
Cultivation of fodder crops as intercropping and as border cropping will result in the
availability of adequate nutritious fodder for animal components like milch cow, goat /
sheep, pig and rabbit
Firewood and construction wood requirements could be met from the agroforestry system
without affecting the natural forest
Avoidance of soil loss through erosion by agro-forestry and proper cultivation of each part
of land by integrated farming
Generation of regular employment for the farm family members of small and marginal
farmers.

Insects & Pest Management

1. Selection of varieties which are well adapted to
the local environmental conditions (temperature,
nutrient supply, pests and disease pressure), as it
allows them to grow healthy and makes them
stronger against infections of pests and diseases.
2. Selection of safe seeds/ planting material which
have been inspected for pathogens and weeds at
all stages of production.
3. Mixed cropping systems can limit pest and
disease pressure as the pest has less host plants
to feed on

17
 and more benecial insect life in a diverse system. Crop rotation reduces the chances of
soil borne diseases and increases soil fertility and green manuring and cover crops:
increases the biological activity in the soil and can enhance the presence of bene cial
organisms (but also of pests; therefore, a careful selection of the proper species is needed).
4. Moderate fertilization: steady growth makes a plant less vulnerable to infection. Too much
fertilization may result in salt damage to roots, opening the way for secondary infections.
5. Input of organic matter increases micro-organism density and activity in the soil, thus
decreasing population densities of pathogenic and soil borne fungi. It stabilises soil structure
and thus improves aeration and inltration of water.
6. Application of suitable soil cultivation methods facilitates the decomposition of infected plant
parts, regulates weeds which serve as hosts for pests and diseases and protects the micro-
organisms which regulate soil borne diseases.
7. Use of good water management:
8. Conservation and promotion of natural enemies
9. Most pests or diseases attack the plant only in a certain life stage; therefore, it’s crucial that
this vulnerable life stage doesn’t correspond with the period of high pest density and thus
that the optimal planting time is chosen. Sufcient distance between the plants reduces the
spread of a disease. Good aeration of the plants allows leaves to dry off faster, which
hinders pathogen development and infection.
10. Remove infected plant parts (leaves, fruits) from the ground to prevent the disease from
spreading and eliminate residues of infected plants after harvesting.

On Farm Input Production and Methodology for Natural farming

On farm inputs enable a stable level of organic matter in the soil, which provides
many benets such as:
Improvement of the soil structure
Stimulation of the biological activity
Increase in water retention
Tillage facilitation
Plant health
They can also play a role in protecting crops from pests and diseases (repellent,
stimulator of the plant natural defence mechanisms etc)
The contribution of on farm inputs is an important agroecological lever to preserve the
agricultural soil quality.
There are number of formulations which farmers can prepare on their farm such as:

Beejamrut
Cow Dung- 5kg
Cow urine- 5L
Cow milk- 1L
Lime- 50g
Water- 20L
Healthy soil-50g
Methodology:
1. Take 20 litres water.
2. Then take 5 Kg Desi cow dung. Mix it by the
ngers.
3. Take it in a cloth and bound it by small rope as a small bundle
4. Hang this bundle of cow dung in the taken 20-litre water for a night.

18
5. Take one litre water and add 50 gm lime in it, let it stable for a night.
6. Then next morning, squeeze this bundle of the cow dung in that water thrice continuously,
so that all essence of cow dung will accumulate in that water.
7. Then add a handful of soil in that water solution and stir it well.
8. Then add 5 litre Desi cow urine or human urine in that solution
9. Then add the lime water and stir it well.
10. Keep it overnight for proper fermentation.
11. Now Beejamrita is ready to treat the seeds.
Jeevamrut
Cow dung- 10kg
Cow urine- 10L
Jaggery- 2kg
Flour of gram (Tur, Moong, Cowpea, Urad) – 2kg
Live soil (Healthy soil)- one handful
Water- 200L
Methodology:
1. Take 200 litres water in a barrel for one acre crop
utilization.
2. Add 10 kg Cow dung in that water. Mix the desi cow dung in that water by the tips of your
ngers well.
3. Stir it well by a stick clock wise. Then add broken small pieces of Jaggery.
4. Again, stir it well. Then Add Pulses our in that solution.
5. Then add Desi cow urine Add handful soil from the bund or forest in that solution.
6. Stir it well. Keep the cover of jute bag on the barrel.
7. Keep this solution quite stable for three days to ferment.
8. During fermentation, the poisonous gases like Ammonia, Methane, Carbon-mono-oxide,
Carbon dioxide, are emitted. Through the holes of jute bag these gases are evacuated in
the atmosphere and aerobic fermentation process is going on with the high speed. For that
purpose, we have utilized jute bag to cover the barrel.
9. Stir this solution by the branch of tree thrice a day.
10. Keep the barrel in shade or shadow. Do not expose Jeevamrit to straight sunlight or rain.
11. Now Jeevamrit is ready for utilization.
Uses
Promoting growth and owering along with acting as a yield enhancer (@5-10% spray with
water)
Soil fertility enhancer (applied along with irrigation
water)
GhanJeevamrit
Cow dung- 100 kg
Cow urine- As needed
Jaggery- 1kg
Flour of gram (Tur, Moong, Cowpea, Urad) – 2kg
Live soil (Healthy soil)- one handful
Methodology:
1. Take 100 Kg Desi cow dung. Take 1 Kg Jaggery and Make its powder.
2. Then mix it well in that cow dung.

19
3. Then take 2 Kg our of pulse and mix it in that cow dung properly.
4. Then mix handful soil from the bund of the farm in it. Then mix this mixture properly.
5. Add some desi cow urine in it if required. Keep it in the shadow for drying for 48 hours.
6. Cover it by gunny Jute bag. Do not expose it to sunlight while drying. Dry it in the shadow.
7. After 48 hours let it to dry in the shadow. After drying crush it properly and then sieve it and
store in the gunny bags.
8. Utilize this 200 Kg GhanJeevamrit per acre either by spreading out before sowing OR by
sowing it with the seeds.

Brahmastra (broad spectrum botanical pesticide)

Crush 3 kg neem leaves in 10 L cow urine.
Crush 2 kg custard apple leaves, 2 kg papaya leaves, 2 kg
pomegranate leaves and 2 kg guava leaves in water. Mix
the two and boil 5 times at same interval till it becomes half.
Keep for 24 hours, then lter squeeze the extract. This
can be stored in bottles for 6 months.
Dilute 2-2.5 litre of this extract to litre to 100 litre for acre.
Benets: Useful against sucking pests, pod/fruit borers.

Neemastra (Broad Spectrum Botanical Pesticide)

Crush 5 kg neem leaves in water. Add 5lit cow urine and 2 kg cow dung
Ferment for 24 hrs with intermittent stirring. Filter squeeze the extract and dilute to 100 lit
Use as foliar spray over one acre. Useful against sucking pests and mealy bugs

Agneyastra
Crush 1 kg Ipomea (besaram) leaves, 500 gm hot chilli, 500 gm garlic and 5 kg neem leaves
in 10 lit cow urine.
Boil the suspension 5 times till it becomes half. Filter squeezes the extract.
Store in glass or plastic bottles. 2-3 lit extract diluted to 100 lit is used for one acre.
Useful against leaf roller, stem/fruit/pod borer.

Some Other Pest Control Formulations

Cow urine:
Cow urine diluted with water in ratio of 1: 20 and used as foliar spray is not only effective in
the management of pathogens & insects, but also acts as effective growth promoter for the
crop.

Fermented curd water:

In some parts of central India fermented curd water (butter milk or Chaach) is also being
used for the management of white y, jassids aphids etc.

20
Dashparni extract:
Crush neem leaves 5 kg, Vitex negundo leaves 2
kg, Aristolochia leaves 2 kg, papaya (Carica
Papaya) 2 kg, Tinospora cordifolia leaves 2 kg,
Annona squamosa (Custard apple) leaves 2 kg,
Pongamia pinnata (Karanja) leaves 2 kg, Ricinus
communis (Castor) leaves2 kg, Nerium indicum 2
kg, Calotropis procera leaves 2 kg, Green chilly
paste 2 kg, Garlic paste 250 gm, Cow dung 3 kg
and Cow Urine 5 lit in 200 lit water ferment for one
month. Shake regularly three times a day.
Extract after
crushing and ltering. The extract can be stored up to 6 months and is sufcient for one acre.

Neem-Cow urine extract: Crush 5 kg neem leaves in water, add 5lit cow urine
and 2 kg cow dung, ferment for 24 hrs with intermittent stirring, lter squeeze the extract
and dilute to 100 lit, use as foliar spray over one acre. Useful against sucking pests and
mealy bugs.

Mixed leaves extract: Crush 3 kg neem leaves in 10 lit cow urine. Crush 2 kg custard
apple leaf, 2 kg papaya leaf, 2kg pomegranate leaves, 2 kg guava leaves in water. Mix the
two and boil 5 times at some interval till it becomes half. Keep for 24 hrs, then lter
squeeze the extract. This can be stored in bottles for 6 months. Dilute 2-2.5 lit of this
extract to 100 lit for 1 acre. Useful against sucking pests, pod/fruit borers.

Chilli-garlic extract: Crush 1 kg Ipomea (besharam) leaves, 500 gm hot chilli, 500 gm
garlic and 5 kg neem leaves in 10 lit cow urine. Boil the suspension 5 times till it becomes
half. Filter squeezes the extract. Store in glass or plastic bottles. 2-3 lit extract diluted to
100 lit is used for one acre. Useful against leaf roller, stem/fruit/pod borer.

Broad spectrum formulation: 1 - In a copper container mix 3 kg fresh crushed neem

leaves and 1 kg neem seed kernel powder with 10 lit of cow urine. Seal the container and
allow the suspension to ferment for 10 days. After 10 days boil the suspension, till the
volume is reduced to half. Ground 500 gm green chillies in 1 lit of water and keep
overnight. In another container crush 250gm of garlic in water and keep overnight. Next
day mix the boiled extract, chilli extract and garlic extract. Mix thoroughly and lter. This
is a broad spectrum pesticide and can be used on all crops against wide variety of insects.
Use 250 ml of this concentrate in 15 lit of water for spray.

Broad spectrum formulation: 2 Suspend 5 kg neem seed kernel powder, 1kg Karanj
seed powder, 5 kg chopped leaves of besharam (Ipomea sp.) and 5kg chopped neem
leaves in a 20lit drum. Add 10-12 lit of cow urine and ll the drum with water to make 150
lit. Seal the drum and allow it to ferment for 8-10 days. After 8 days mix the contents and
distil in a distiller. Distillate will act as a good pesticide and growth promoter. Distillate
obtained from 150lit liquid will be sufcient for one acre. Dilute in appropriate proportion
and use as foliar spray. Distillate can be kept for few months without any loss in
characteristics.
21
 Water Conservation Techniques
Soil and Water Conservation
Biological measures (agronomic/agricultural and agroforestry) are applicable in the
landscape of ≤2percent slope. These measures reduce the impact of raindrops through the
covering of soil surface andincreasing inltration rate and water absorption capacity of the
soil resulting in reduced runoff and soilloss through erosion. These measures are cheaper,
sustainable, and may be more effective than structural measures. Important agronomic
measures favouring soil and water conservation aredescribed below:

Contour farming
Contour farming is the most common agronomic
measures for soil and water conservation in hilly
agro-ecosystems and sloppy lands. All the
agricultural operations viz. ploughing, sowing, inter-
culture, etc. are practised along the contour line. The
ridges and furrows formed across the slope build a
continual series of small barriers to the owing water
which reduces the velocity of runoff and thus reduces
soil erosion and nutrient loss. It conserves soil
moisture in low rainfall areas due to increased inltration rate, whereas in high rainfall
areas, it reduces the soil loss. In both situations, it reduces soil erosion, conserves soil
fertility and moisture and thus improves overall crop productivity. The effectiveness of this
practice depends upon rainfall intensity, soil type and topography of a particular locality.

Choice of crops
The selection of the right crop is crucial for soil and water conservation. The
crop should be selected according to the intensity and critical period of rainfall, market
demand, climate and resources of the farmer. The crop with good biomass, canopy cover,
and extensive root systemprotects the soil from the erosive impact of rainfall and creates
an obstruction to runoff and thereby reduces soil and nutrient loss. Row or tall-growing
crops such as sorghum, maize, pearlmillet, etc. are erosion permitting crops which expose
the soil and induce the erosion process. Whereas, close growing or erosion resistant crops
with dense canopy cover and vigorous root system viz. cowpea, green gram, black gram,
groundnut, etc. are the most suitable crops for reducing soil erosion. To increase the crop
canopy density, the seed rate should always be on thehigher side.
Crop rotation
Crop rotation is the practice of growing different types of crops in succession on the
same eld to get benets for soil and crop systems. Benecial effects include lower
incidence of weeds, insects, and plant diseases, as well as improvements of soil physical,
chemical, and biological properties. Monocropping results in exhaustion of soil nutrients and
deplete soil fertility. The inclusion of legume crops in crop rotation reduces soil erosion,
restores soil fertility, conserves soil and water and helps supplement atmospheric nitrogen to
the soil. Further, the incorporation of crop residue improves organic matter content, soil
health and reduces water requirement. A suitable rotation with high canopy cover crops helps
in sustaining soil fertility, suppresses weed growth, decreases pests and disease infestation,
increases input use efciency and system productivity while reducing the soil erosion.

22
 Cover crops
The close-growing crops having high canopy density are
grown for protection of soil against erosion, known as
cover crops. Legume crops have better biomass to
protect soil than row crops. The effectiveness of cover
crops depends on crop geometry and development of
canopy for interception of raindrops which helps in
reducing the exposure of soil surface for erosion. The
legumes provide better cover and better protection to
land against runoff and soil loss as compared to
cultivated fallow and sorghum crops. The most effective
cover crops are cowpea, green gram, black gram,
groundnut, etc.
Intercropping
Cultivation of two or more crops simultaneously in the
same eld with denite or alternate row pattern is
known as intercropping. It may be classied as row,
strip, and relay intercropping as per the crops, soil
type, topography and climatic conditions.
Intercropping involves both time-based and spatial
dimensions. Erosion permitting and resisting crops
should be intercropped with each other. The crops
should have different rooting patterns. Intercropping
provides better coverage on the soil surface, reduces
the direct impact of raindrops and protects soil from
erosion.

Strip cropping
Growing alternate strips of erosion permitting and erosion
resistant crops with a deep root system and high canopy
density in the same eld is known as strip cropping. This
practice reduces the runoff velocity and checks erosion
processes and nutrients loss from the eld. The erosion
resistant crops protects soil from beating action of
raindrops, reduces runoff velocity and thereby increased
time of concentration which results in a higher volume of
soil moisture and increased crop production. Strip cropping
is practised for controlling the run-off and erosion and there
by maintaining soil fertility. In natural farming our ve layer
model is an example of this type of cropping.
Types of strip cropping
● Contour strip cropping
The growing of alternate strips of erosion permitting and erosion resisting crops across the
slopes on thecontour is known as contour strip cropping. It reduces the direct beating action
of raindrops on the soil surface, length of the slope, runoff ow and increases rainwater
absorption into the soil prole.
● Field strip cropping
In this practice the eld crops are grown in more or less parallel strips across fairly uniform
slopes, butnot on exact contours. It is useful on regular slopes and with soils of high
inltration rates, where contour strip cropping may not be practical.

23
● Wind strip cropping
It consists of the planting of tall-growing row crops (such as maize, pearl millet and
sorghum) and closeor short growing crops in alternately arranged straight and long, but
relatively narrow, parallel stripslaid out right across the direction of the prevailing wind,
regardless of the contour.
● Permanent or temporary buffer strip cropping
It is the growing of permanent strips of grasses or legume or a mixture of grass and legume
in highly eroded areas or in areas that do not t into regular rotation, i.e. steep or highly
eroded, slopes in elds under contour strip cropping. These strips are not practiced in
normal strip cropping and generally planted on permanent or temporary basis.

Mulching
Mulching is dened as covering of soil surface using
either live crops or straw (dead plant biomass) to
conserve moisture, increase inltration, lower soil
temperature around plant roots, prevent soil erosion,
improve soil structure, reduce runoff and weed growth.
Mulching prevents the formation of hard crust after each
rain. The use of blade harrows between rows or
intercultural operations creates 'dust mulch' on the soil
surface by breaking the continuity of capillary tubes of soil moisture and reduces
evaporation losses. Mulching also reduces the weed infestation along with the bene ts of
moisture conservation and soil fertility improvement. Hence, it can be used in high rainfall
regions to reduce soil and water loss and in low rainfall regions for soil moisture
conservation.
The natural farming initiatives show promise for transformation at scale and
open up a new frontier in thinking about agriculture with efcient utilisation of soil and
water resources. Intensive irrigation and deep ploughing is not promoted in Natural
Farming. This farming system also promotes soil aeration, minimal watering, intercropping
and buds and topsoil mulching. Aacchadan, associated with natural farming which is
mulching either by crop residues or live mulch through intercrops, does not allow soil
evaporation and transpiration. Whapasa, is a condition where there is a presence of both
air molecules and water molecules in the soil. This condition helps in reducing irrigation
requirements and promotes water availability to the crops through soil capillary actions. The
drought conditions can be mitigated through Intercropping and Aachhadan. This
intercropping and Aachhadan conditions enhance the activities of soil earthworms from top
to bottom soils and vice-versa. Earthworms maintain the physico-chemical properties of the
soil by converting biodegradable materials and organic wastes into nutrient-rich products,
emerging from their burrows to deposit the faecal matter (vermicast) on the surface.
Earthworms stimulate microbial activity, mix and aggregate the soil, soil water content and
water holding capacity. Earthworm burrows act as a channel for plant growth and as
pathways for root elongation, especially in compacted zones typically found in deeper soil
layers. It makes the soil porous, increasing the water inltration rate and reducing soil
erosion. During drought conditions, they provide water to the plants/crops by capillary

24
action through their burrows.
Standards for natural farming and scope of certication for natural produce
National Standards for Natural Farming (NSNF):
National Standards for Natural Farming for certied Natural Farming Products are
made to all agricultural, horticultural, medicinal & herbal and agroforestry crops, wild harvest
(Non-timber minor forest produce), livestock / sheries/Beekeeping systems and their
products. Processing under NSNF is limited to on-farm processing at individual or at group
of producers. Multi-ingredients processing, where raw material from different sources and
from different certication systems are derived is not part of natural farming standards.

Why Natural Farming certication required

To build Trust
Identity and differentiate products from non-certied products
To ensure Quality and Guarantee of the product
Uniqueness of any product is similar to identity which enables specic differentiation
among the certied product which is unique for the claimed product which cannot be
replicated in any way by any person.
Any product which comes under certication mechanism with proper labelling, i.e., by logo
or UID no. enables any producer / sales person to build their brand which will lead to
ownership for using specic logo.
Promote branding for easy acceptance of products

Marketing of natural produce

Picture: Ima Keithel Imphal (Mothers Market)

The demand for the organic or natural products is growing in the country. The Covid
situation in the country has also impacted on consumers in India to go for organic and safe,
healthy and immunity booster products. The organic market in the couple of years has
rapidly grown 25 to 30 % a year. There are several states practicing Natural Farming.
Prominent among them are Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Kerala, Gujarat, Himachal
Pradesh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
The NCOF has been renamed as NCONF and it has started its promotional work in natural
farming, website has been updated and information on all aspects of natural farming—from
area coverage, trainings, videos, media coverage, its various components, methods and
techniques and more. The website also details the numerous bene ts of natural farming,
success stories, research papers, and similar international practices. There is a scope for
natural Farming and certication and marketing in India.
The indicative possible standards and system of certication which may be implemented in
future after approval is summarised in this chapter. There may be slight variation in the

25
system and structure but for overall documentation and understanding the natural farming
stakeholders may keep in mind the following:
Natural farming major practices may include :No external inputs, Local seeds (use of local
varieties), Microbial Seed treatment, Microbial inoculants for soil health, Cover crops for
biomass mulching and bio-mass incorporation for creating a suitable micro-climate for
maximum benecial microbial activity, Mixed cropping, Integration of trees into the
farm, Integration of livestock, especially of native breed for cow dung and cow urine as
essential inputs for several practices, Water and moisture conservation. Natural farming
aims for restoring Soil Health, maintenance of diversity, animal welfare, Ef cient use of
natural/local resources and ecological fairness and balances.
Scope: The NFC (Natural Farming Certication) may be voluntary in nature and non-
binding. It is based on continuity and recognizes the farmers adopting natural farming
systems as unique to the area and crops. NFCS may be based on producer’s declaration of
the practices adopted against the standards followed by the physical peer appraisal by
group peers and nally declared themselves certication decision. “NFC standards
may be applicable to crop production, livestock production and processed products made
thereof. NFC” certication standards may provide traceability to ensure that Certied
Products are grown/ produced, handled, processed and packed throughout the value
chain through documented and veriable chain-of-custody. “NFCS may be voluntary and
non-binding. “it may be granted on cropping season basis and requires continuity of
certication Agricultural marketing is mainly the buying and selling of agricultural
products. In earlier days when the village economy was more or less self-sufcient the
marketing of agricultural products presented no difculty as the farmer sold his produce to
the consumer on a cash or barter basis.
Today's agricultural marketing has to undergo a series of exchanges or transfers from one
person to another before it reaches the consumer. There are three marketing functions
involved in this, i.e., assembling, preparation for consumption and distribution. Selling on
any agricultural produce depends on some couple of factors like the demand of the product
at that time, availability of storage etc. The products may be sold directly in the market or it
may be stored locally for the time being. Moreover, it may be sold as it is gathered from the
eld or it may be cleaned, graded and processed by the farmer or the merchant of the
village. Sometime processing is done because consumers want it, or sometimes to
conserve the quality of that product. The task of distribution system is to match the supply
with the existing demand by whole selling and retailing in various points of different markets
like primary, secondary or terminal markets. (TNAU website).

Picture : Children in U-Pick Farm Farm Stands

26
Most of the agricultural products in India are sold by farmers in the private sector to
moneylenders (to whom the farmer may be indebted) or to village traders. Products are
sold in various ways. For example, it might be sold at a weekly village market in the
farmer's village or in a neighbouring village. If these outlets are not available, then produce
might be sold at irregularly held markets in a nearby village or town, or in the mandi.
In India, there are several central government organisations, who are involved in
agricultural marketing like, Commission of Agricultural Costs and Prices, Food Corporation
of India, Cotton Corporation of India, Jute Corporation of India, etc. There are also
specialised marketing bodies for rubber, tea, coffee, tobacco, spices and
vegetables. Under the Agricultural Produce (grading and marketing) Act of 1937, more
than forty primary commodities are compulsorily graded for export and voluntarily graded
for internal consumption. Although the regulation of commodity markets is a function of
state government, the directorate of marketing and inspection provides marketing and
inspection services and nancial aid down to the village level to help set up commodity
grading centers in selected markets.
As we have a tradition of agricultural production, marketing and allied commercial
activities, now it is the time to come out with new ideas of value-added services and
bringing demand based safe and healthy food products. These value-added services and
products will give the existing agricultural engine a new dimension. Another dimension
could be food-processing which not only could be another revenue generating area but
also can provide lots of full-time employment to our youths. With the changing agricultural
scenario and global competition, there is a need of exploiting the available resources at
maximum level.
Recent times, all over the world many farmers have transformed from conventional
farming to organic farming to chemical free or Natural farming. Chemical free producers
are facing many problems in marketing their produce like getting optimum price, supply
chain etc. The processing/marketing rms should go the Natural farming way proactively. This
will be similar to agricultural input rms moving from chemical to organic inputs instead of
perceiving organic as a threat. The agribusiness firms should look at Natural farming and
trade as an opportunity which is in accordance with the larger developmental goal of
sustainability. This is one more historic opportunity for the industry to contribute to human
progress substantially as they are best placed to tailor the chain naturally. They should
implement and promote Good Farm/Agricultural Practices.
Farmers approach direct marketing in a variety of ways using single or multiple channels.
The goal generally is to develop a strategy to sell the entire product they produce.
This can be through one marketing channel or several. Farms may also add additional
direct market channels as the business grows. For instance, many farmers begin with
selling through a farmers’ market or a roadside stand. As the business grows, they can
add other direct channels such as a CSA, grocery or restaurant sales. Direct sales channels for
specic crops or a segment of a crop may be combined with wholesale channels. The
options are nearly endless. Following are the approaches for marketing strategies for
Natural Farming Produces.
Marketing strategies for Natural Farming at Farmers
level Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)
Subscription base marketing.

27
Farmers Markets
U-Pick farms
Farm Stands Restaurants
Farm to School and Institutions
Agritourism
Natural Seed Bank.
Online Marketing
Natural Farming Mission:
Nation mission on natural framing aims at creating institutional capacities for
documentation and dissemination of best practices, make practicing farmers as partners in
promotion strategies, ensure capacity building and continues hand-holding and nally
attracting farmers to the natural farming willing on the merit of the system.

Mission Objectives
i. To promote alternative system of farming for freedom from externally purchased inputs,
cost reduction and thereby increasing income of farmers
ii. To popularize integrated agriculture-animal husbandry models based on desi cow and
local resources.
iii. To collect, validate and document Natural Farming practices being practiced in various
parts of the country and to encourage participatory research with farmers on further up
scaling
iv. To undertake activities for awareness creation, capacity building, promotion and
demonstration of Natural Farming.
v. To create standards, certification procedure and branding for Natural Farming products
for national and international markets.

Current Scenario of Natural Farming of different states in India

There are several states practicing Natural Farming. Prominent among them are
Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Kerala, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Odisha,
Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. Till now 6.5 lakh ha. area is
covered under natural farming in India. Different State governments are promoting natural
farming through various schemes.

Andhra Pradesh: The Government of Andhra Pradesh

turned to farming approaches that are in harmony with
nature, as they build on ecological science, rather than
input economics. By improving the ecological conditions
in each and every site, it is witnessed that Natural
Farming reduces the need for synthetic inputs and
deliver instead a form of farming that costs less, in
nancial terms, and is climate resilient.

28
 The Andhra Pradesh Community-Managed Natural Farming (APCNF): This
programme is being implemented by Rythu SadhikaraS amstha (RySS), a not-for-pro t
company established by the Department of Agriculture, Government of Andhra Pradesh.
RySS’s mandate is to plan and implement programmes for the empowerment and all-
round welfare of farmers.

Gujarat: In Budget 2020–21, special nancial

assistance was announced for promoting Natural
Farming practices under the Gujarat Atma Nirbhar
package. Further, on 17 September 2020, two
schemes were launched—Sat Pagla Khedut
Kalyaan and Pagala for Natural Farming—by the
Government of Gujarat.
Details of Scheme 1: Rs 900 monthly
subsidy for the maintenance cost of one cow to a
farming family practising Natural Farming. Details of
Scheme
2: Provision of Rs 1248 subsidy to farmers for purchase of a Natural Farming kit to prepare
Jeevamrit.
Himachal Pradesh: Himachal Pradesh practices
Natural Farming under the Prakritik Kheti Khushhal
Kissan (PK3) Yojana. The scheme aims to reduce the
cost of cultivation and enhance farmers’ income. The
scheme was announced by the Chief Minister in the
Budget speech of 2018–19. The scheme seeks to
promote the production of food grains, vegetables, and
fruits without the use of synthetic chemicals/pesticides
and fertilizers.
The scheme went beyond its target of covering 500 farmers to 2669 in 2018–19. By
2019–20, 54,914 farmers were practicing Natural Farming on 2,451 hectares of land. The
scheme has now targeted to bring more farmers under its ambit and cover 20,000 hectares.

Rajasthan: Honourable Chief Minister of Rajasthan during

the budget speech of FY2019-20 declared support to natural
farming to reduce input costs with a view to empower
farmers through remunerative agriculture – Kheti Mein Jaan
Toh Sashakt Kisan. The scheme in the form of a pilot project
was initiated in three districts of the State viz. Tonk, Sirohi
and Banswada.
Under the scheme, 18,313 farmers were trained in a two-day long workshop
conducted by master-trainers of the Department. 10,658 farmers were provided with drums,
buckets, jugs and sprayers at a subsidy of up to 50% of their costs but limited to Rs 600 per
farmer for preparing the organic inputs.

29
Notes/Pages for Rough Work
 Feed Back Form

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Reply:-
 शा तम्] कित- मानव-सङगतम्,सङगतं खलु शा तम्।
त व-सव धारकस व-पालन-कारकवा र-वायु- योम-वि - या-गतम्।
शा तम्] कित-मानव-सङगतम्।।¼ वम्½
कित और मन य के बीच का सबंध शा त है। र ता शा त है।
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अि न और प वी वा तव म धारक ह
और जीव के पालनहार।
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समो मः।।
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सीढ़ी के कएं के बराबर] एक बेटा दस
तालाब के बराबर] एक पेड़
दस बेट के बराबर।
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शं दधाने।
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सव मा ते जन- िहताथ सहतम्।
र ित कितः सतीसौ य-रािशं त वतीव य-स पद् र णीया स
ततम्।
शा तम्] कित- मानव-सङगतम्।। र ता शा त है
ि न कार के पेड़ और लता हमेशा जीवन देने म य त और
क याण क पेशकश करने वाले मामल म चेतन
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भलाई के िलए। कित अ छी तरह से र ा करती
है और सभी कार के सख को दान करता है।
तो सभी ाणी जो धन ह वन े होना pkfg,
हमेशा ठीक से सरि त।
र ता शा त है कित और मन य के बीच।
यया सव िमदं या ं जगत् थावरजङगमम।्
तां धेनुं िशरसा व दे भतभ य य मातरम्॥
िजसने सम त चराचर जगत् को या कर रखा हैA
उस भत और भिव य क जननी गौ माता को म म तक झका कर
णाम करता ह ं॥
 NATIONAL CENTRE FOR
ORGANIC AND
NATURAL FARMING
Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
Government of India
Hapur Road, Kamla Nehru Nagar, Ghaziabad-201002
Website : https://ncof.dacnet.nic.in