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Lecture 6a Natural Farming

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NATURAL FARMING

SANDEEP MANUJA AND SURINDER SINGH RANA

DEPARTMENT OF AGRONOMY,
CSK HIMACHAL PRADESH KRISHI
VISHVAVIDYALAYA, PALAMPUR 176062,
HP, INDIA
EMAIL: RANASS_DEE@YAHOO.COM
2020
 NATURAL FARMING
Natural farming is an ecological farming approach
established by MASANOBU FUKUOKA (1913–2008),
a Japanese farmer and philosopher, introduced in his
1975 book The One-Straw Revolution.
It is also referred to as "THE FUKUOKA METHOD",
"THE NATURAL WAY OF FARMING" or "DO-
NOTHING FARMING".
The title refers not to lack of effort, but to the avoidance
of manufactured inputs and equipment.
Natural farming philosophy is working with nature to
produce healthy food, to keep ourselves healthy, and to
keep the land healthy.
SIMILARITIES BETWEEN ORGANIC
FARMING AND NATURAL FARMING
Natural and organic both are chemical free and more
or less poison free farming methods.
Both systems discourage farmers from using any
chemical fertilizers, pesticides on plants and in all
agricultural practices.
Both farming methods encourage farmers to use
local breeds of seeds, and native varieties of
vegetables, grains, pulses and other crops.
Organic and natural farming methods promote
nonchemical and homemade pest control methods.
 ORGANIC FARMING VS NATURAL
FARMING
ORGANIC FARMING NATURAL FARMING
Organic fertilizers and In natural farming, neither
manures like compost, chemical nor organic
vermicompost and cow fertilizers are added to the
dung manure are used and soil. In fact, no external
added to farmlands from fertilizers are added to soil
external sources. or give to plants whatsoever.

Organic farming still In natural farming there no

requires basic agro - ploughing, no tilting of soil
practices like ploughing, and no fertilizers, and no
tilling, mixing of weeding is done just the way
manures, weeding, etc. to be it would be in natural
performed. ecosystems
 ORGANIC FARMING VS NATURAL
FARMING
ORGANIC FARMING NATURAL FARMING
Organic farming is still Natural agriculture is an
expensive due to the extremely low-cost farming
requirement of bulk method, completely
manures, and it has an moulding with local
ecological impact on biodiversity
biodiversity.
surrounding environments.
In organic farming the In natural farming,
manures and composts are decomposition of organic
to be incorporated into the matter by microbes and
soil for their proper earthworms is encouraged
decomposition and this right on the soil surface
requires more effort and itself, which gradually adds
cost. nutrition in the soil, over the
period
 ORGANIC FARMING VS NATURAL
FARMING
ORGANIC FARMING
Organic farming has an
slight adverse effect on the
surrounding environment as
it involves intervening with
the natural processes
NATURAL FARMING
Natural farming does not
have any effect on the
surrounding environment
and it conforms with local
biodiversity
biodiversity.

Organic farming is more Natural Farming is

about using naturally minimalist in operations
available resources and human intervention,
optimally to enhance leaving things to nature to
productivity & production. manage.
NATURAL FARMING IS ENVIRONMENT
FRIENDLY
Natural Farming is a sustainable farming.
Natural Farming makes all inputs from natural
materials, observes the law of the Nature and
respects the rights of crops and livestock.
Natural Farming heals the soil damaged by
chemicals, herbicide and machines.
Where Natural Farming is practiced, the soil and
water become clean and ecology is recovered.
It is even being used as a tool to fight desertification.
 NATURAL FARMING RESPECTS
LIFE
Natural farming opposes human exploitation on life.
This farming believes that respecting the nature of the
life is the best way to achieve top quality and yield.
In this method the disease is prevented rather than
curing with medicines.
Similarly healthy animals are reared rather than making
animals healthy by feeding them hormones and
antibiotics.
Crops and livestock reared by Natural Farming are very
healthy.
They have almost no disease.
Natural farming fields / crops / orchards show especially
strong resistance to climatic fluctuation.
NATURAL FARMING PRODUCES
HIGH QUALITY PRODUCE
Natural Farming products have high quality, good taste
and better yield.
People commonly think that by converting to organic
farming you will have lower yields, lower quality and
smaller sized fruits.
fruits However in Natural Farming it is the
opposite and we get higher yield and better quality
produce.
Natural Farming products have much higher nutritional
contents. Protein, amino acid, crude fat and other essential
nutrient were about 300 per cent higher than ordinary
products.
Chemical residue such as nitrate is almost undetectable in
natural farming produce
 FARMING INPUTS ARE MADE BY
FARMERS
Most important aspect of Natural Farming is that the
farmers make what they need.
Fertilizers, soil improvers, pest controllers, disease cure
are all made by the farmers themselves using only natural
materials based on the Nutritive Cycle theory.
This farming does not involve buying materials from the
market and using them on the farm.
In this only those inputs are made on the farm which are
required by the farm thereby saving money and getting
better response.
Our field, hills, forest, rivers, ocean and all surroundings
are full of useful materials that can be effectively used in
our farming; but we only need to open our eyes.
 FARMING INPUTS ARE MADE BY
FARMERS
This is why Natural Farming can be a powerful tool
for the third world farmers who cannot afford to buy
expensive imported farming inputs.
Our important inputs include Indigenous
Microorganism (IMO), Fermented Plant Juice (FPJ),
Oriental Herbal Nutrient (OHN), Lactic Acid
Bacteria (LAB), Fish Amino Acid (LAB), Water-
soluble Calcium (WCA), Water-soluble Calcium
Phosphate (WCP) and Insect Attractant (IA).
All these inputs are produced at the farm easily and
cheaply and moreover they are highly effective.
NATURAL FARMING METHODS
No Pesticide
No Herbicide
No Tillage
No Chemical Fertilizer
No Pollution
No Artificial Heating
 NO PESTICIDE
Natural Farming does not use pesticide as they not
only kills insects but they also reside in the soil and
fruit.
When absorbed, it can do serious harm to our bodies
and even our next generations.
generations
Instead of using toxic chemicals, we use light,
alcohol, aroma, poisonous plant and so forth to
control pests.
More surprisingly natural farming focusses on
creating an ecology that has recovered the natural
balance and this will result in reduced pests and
disease occurrence.
 NO HERBICIDE
Natural Farming does not use herbicide for controlling
weeds.
Killing the weeds with chemical is not the only solution nor
is it wise as these chemicals are also lethal to human beings
as well as pollute soil and water.
Natural Farming uses the weeds rather than killing them.
them
In natural farming cover crops / wild grasses such as such
as rye and clover for mulching and these cover crops do not
allow weeds to flourish in the fields.
Natural Farming orchards are green with grass growing
between the fruit trees.
The grass prevents soil erosion, holds moisture, propagates
microorganism, produces organic fertilizer, improves soil
ventilation and suppresses the pests.
 NO TILLAGE
Natural Farming does not involve tilling of the land.
Instead of using machines, earthworms and other micro-
organisms are used.
Machine can plough soil only up to the depth of 20 cm
while earthworms can go up to 7 m deep.
Also the excretions of the earthworms turn into the best
soil. After practicing Natural Farming, the soil inflates like
a balloon with sowing and other operations becoming easy.
Also the land is not tilled, the grass / weed seeds in the soil
do not come up to the surface.
In other words, after the grass on the surface have
germinated and died, there will be very little weed
problem.
 NO CHEMICAL FERTILIZER
Natural Farming does not use chemical fertilizer nor does
it follow the common practice of applying over half of the
fertilizer as base manure.
Crops will become weak if given too much food at early
stage.
Nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, calcium and all other
elements that are normally given in the form of chemical
fertilizers in chemical farming are substituted with Natural
Farming inputs.
Fish amino acid provides nitrogen, egg shells give calcium
and animal bones are source of phosphoric acid.
These Natural Farming inputs are not only cheap but
highly effective.
 NO POLLUTION

Natural Farming animal houses do not emit any wastewater and

hence do not need installation of treatment machine.
All the treatment are done right on the floor of the animal house
itself.
As soon as faeces fall on the floor, it is quickly decomposed by the
powerful microorganisms present.
Floor is not made from concrete, it is touching the soil; it is alive.
Rice straw, sawdust, fresh soil are used for flooring.
Utilizing the natural powers like the sun, wind and
microorganisms, the floor is always dry and fluffy.
Also since no fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides are used, there
is no problem of soil and water pollution.
 NUTRITIVE CYCLE THEORY
In Natural farming providing nutrients in excess to plants
is not needed as it will only bring disease.
Natural Farming follows the scientific approach of
correctly using the right material at the right amount and
at the right stage so that the crops or livestock can reach
their optimum growth
growth.
For this Natural Farming relies on Nutritive Cycle
Theory.
The Nutritive Cycle Theory states that plants and livestock
need different nutrients during different stages of growth
(just like humans).
The Nutritive Cycle guides farmers in obtaining the best
results from their crops and avoiding disease to their crops
through proper nutrient management.
 PRACTICES ADOPTED IN NATURAL
FARMING
Zero cultivation and fallowing, allowing the soil to rest and
rejuvenate.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM).
Use of Biological pest control (natural enemies of pest)
Use of organic compost and bio micro inoculant.
Use of organic pest and disease control materials.
materials
Use of indigenous resistant plant varieties.
Practice crop rotation and fallowing.
Growing and inter-cropping of pest - repellent crops / herbal
plants.
Integrated cropping pattern to prevent growth of toxic weeds.
Growing the right crop on the right soil, climate and at the
right time.
 ZERO BUDGET NATURAL FARMING
There are many working models of natural farming all
over the world.
The ZERO BUDGET NATURAL FARMING (ZBNF) is
the most popular model in India.
This comprehensive, natural, and spiritual farming
system was developed by Padma Shri SUBHASH
PALEKAR.
 ZERO BUDGET NATURAL FARMING

Subhash Palekar’s Zero Budget Natural Farming is a unique

method of farming which requires absolutely no monetary
investment for purchase of key inputs like seeds, fertilizers and
plant protection chemicals from the market.

The farmer can grow hardy local varieties of crops without

application of fertilizers and pesticides.
pesticides Since it is a zero budget
farming no institutional credit would be required and
dependence on hired labour is also reduced to bare minimum.

All that the system requires is native breed of cattle which

is any case forms an integral part of farming families in rural
areas. It is claimed that one cow is sufficient to take up this
method of farming on thirty acres of land.
SALIENT FEATURES OF ZBNF
In this system of farming no monetary investment
on the part of farmer is required for purchase of
seeds, fertilizers and plant protection chemicals
from the market.
The farmer can produce his own seed or he may use
seeds that are available with other farmers. More
importantly, there is absolutely no place for
fertilizers and plant protection chemicals in this
scheme of farming.
Dependence on hired labour is also reduced to the
bare minimum as the system discourages
intercultural operations. The whole philosophy
behind this system is to make the farmer self-reliant
so that he is freed from the clutches of money
lenders and market dispensed high cost inputs.
FOUR WHEELS OF ZBNF
BIJAMRITA (Seed
Treatment using local cow
dung and cow urine)
JIWAMRITA (applying
inoculation made of local
cow dung and cow urine
without any fertilizers and
pesticides)
Mulching (activities to
ensure favorable micro -
climate in the soil)
Waaphasa (soil aeration)
 BIJAMRITA
Farmers have been treating their seeds by local cow urine,
cow dung and little soil from the bund of the farm or land of
the farm since time immemorial (mentioned even in our
vedas as well as other ancient literature)
This was the traditional method and also a totally scientific
method.
However with the advent of chemical agriculture number of
fungicides and insecticides have been recommended for
treating the seeds before sowing.
All these chemicals recommended are dangerous poisons for
seed treatment
When any of these poisonous fungicides / insecticides are
used for seed treatment, it also destroys all the useful and
effective (our friends) microorganisms.
 BIJAMRITA
Also when the seeds treated with these poisonous chemicals
germinate and grow, these poisons are also absorbed by the
roots with the soil water solution and are deposited in the
body organs of the plant i.e. vegetables, grains, fruits, tubers
etc.
When we eat these produce, these poisons are transmitted to
our body and causes number of diseases and other health
conditions.
Also the higher costs incurred on the purchase of these
fungicides and other chemicals for seed treatment results in
the exploitation of the farmers and also increases the cost of
cultivation for the farmers .
Hence under Natural Farming (Zero Budget Natural Farming)
the seeds are treated with the formulation made from cow
urine, cow dung and other locally available material which is
equally effective in checking seed borne diseases.
 HOW TO PREPARE BIJAMRITA
Materials used: 20 litre Water, 5 Kg Local Cow Dung, 5 litre
Local Cow Urine, 50 g Lime & small quantity of Soil from the
bund of the farm.
Method:
Take 5 Kg local cow dung in a cloth and bound it by tape.
Hang this in the 20 Litre water up to 12 hours.
Take one litre water and add 50 gm lime in it and let it stabilize for
a night.
night
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.
Then add a handful of soil in that water solution and stir it well.
Then add 5 litre desi cow urine in that solution & add lime water
and stir it well.
Bijamrita is then used to treat the seeds which is done by spreading
it over the seeds, mixing these seeds by hands, drying it well and
use for sowing.
 JIWAMRITA

The above mixture will suffice for one time application on one
acre crop.
‘Jeevamrutha’ is to be provided once in a fortnight or at least
once in a month.
It promotes immense biological activity in the soil and makes
the nutrients available to the crop.
Jeevamrutha is not to be considered as nutrient for the crop but
only a catalytic agent to promote biological activity in the soil
BENEFITS OF USING JIWAMRITA
It provides nutrients, but most importantly, acts as
a catalytic agent that promotes the activity of
microorganisms in the soil, as well as increases
earthworm activity.
Jeevamrutha / Jiwamrita also helps to prevent
fungal and bacterial plant diseases.
Jeevamrutha is only needed for the first 3 years of
the transition, after which the system becomes self
– sustaining.
 MULCHING (ACCHADANA)
For the proper growth, multiplication and activity of
beneficial micro – organisms that are applied through
Jiwamrita, a favorable definite microclimate is required.
In this favorable microclimate the temperature of the
soil should be in the range of 25 to 32 °C with 65 to 72 %
moisture, darkness and warmth.
warmth
When we much mulch the soil, this microclimate is
created automatically.
There are three types of Mulching:
Soil Mulching
Straw Mulching
Live Mulching
SOIL MULCHING (CULTIVATION)
In this concept the cultivation of the field is considered
as soil mulch.
There are three purposes of this cultivation.
to circulate the air in the soil - oxygen is essential to
the roots and micro-organisms
organisms in the soil.
to stop the raindrops to flow and to conserve them
in the soil - Conserved rain water storage is
essential for the growth of the crops and the
stoppage of the rainwater flow to restrict the topsoil
erosion
to control the weeds - to stop the competition of the
weeds with the crops for water vapour and sunlight
SOIL MULCHING (CULTIVATION)
Proper aeration of soil and soil moisture are essential for
the roots and soil micro-organisms to grow.
Thus cultivation should be limited to the soil layer, in
which, these feeding roots and micro-organisms are
active.
It has been observed that roots and soil microbes are
active only in the top most layer of the soil (10 – 15 cm)
and most of the moisture and nutrients are absorbed
from this layer.
Hence the cultivation of the soil should be practiced in
only this top 10 to 15 cm layer.
The roots present below this depth absorb little water
and nutrients.
 STRAW MULCHING
This application of dried straw biomass of the previous plants or
crops as a soil cover in the succeeding crop is called straw
mulching.
This straw mulch is very important as
The seeds are covered by this straw mulch and it saves seeds
from birds, insects and animals
It creates an microclimate which activates the micro-
organisms and local earthworms
It creates favorable condition to decompose the organic matter
in soil such as roots and to prepare humus in the soil for
future new crop
Conserves soil moisture in the soil and reduces the evaporative
loss of water from the soil making it available for the
utilization by the soil micro-organisms
Moderates soil temperature and protects humus from extreme
temperatures
 LIVE MULCHING (INTERCROPS &
MIXED CROPS)
Live mulching means that intercrops and mixed crops,
which have a symbiotic association with each other.
Specific crops, mostly legumes, are grown as intercrops
as they help in fixing atmospheric nitrogen and make it
available to the main crop.
Similarly crops having different requirements are grown
together like the crops which love shade are grown in
between rows of crops that do not love shade and require
full sunlight.
Similarly the mixed crop pattern of monocot in dicot &
dicot in monocot helps to supply the essential elements
to the crops. The dicots supplies nitrogen by means of
nitrogen fixing bacteria and monocots supplies other
elements like potash, phosphate, sulphur etc.
WAAPHASA (SOIL AERATION)
In Veda’s water is defined as a life of the soil.
If there is Waaphasa in the soil, the water is life.
If there is no Waaphasa in the soil, water is death of the
plant and soil biota.
Waaphasa is that microclimate in the soil, by which the
soil organisms and roots can live freely with availability
of sufficient air and essential moisture in the soil.
In one sentence, shortly, the Waaphasa means the
mixture of 50 % air and 50 % water vapours in the
cavities between two soil particles.
Most of the micro – organisms and root hair (which
absorb water and nutrients) are active in the top 10 – 15
cm of soil layer and it is important to maintain
Waaphasa in that zone of soil.
 OTHER IMPORTANT PRINCIPLES OF
ZBNF
Intercropping: It is an important practice in ZBNF
in which there is a close association between the crops
and trees growing on the farm. According to Palekar
this crop and tree association works well for the south
Asian context.

Contours and bunds: To preserve rain water,

Palekar explains in detail how to make the contours
and bunds in the farm. Further this preserved rain
water should be efficiently used so as to enhance the
productivity and WUE of different crops.
OTHER IMPORTANT PRINCIPLES OF ZBNF

Local species of earthworms:

Palekar opposes the use of vermicompost.

He claims that the revival of local deep soil earthworms (anecic)through
increased organic matter is most recommended.
He opposes the use of Eisenia foetida saying that this is the surface feeder
(epigeic) which only feeds on the organic biomass and does not eat and
burrow the soil.
soil
As a result they cannot convert the deep soil in to casting, which is the richest
stock of minerals necessary for plant growth.
They feed on organic matter, as the result, the mulching of the organic matter
on the soil is totally destroyed.
They also accumulate large quantity of heavy metals in their bodies which is
further transferred to the soil in the form that can be easily absorbed by the
crop.
 OTHER IMPORTANT PRINCIPLES OF ZBNF
Cow dung:
According to Palekar, dung from the local cow Bos
indicus (humped cow) is most beneficial and has the
highest concentrations of micro - organisms as
compared to European cow breeds such as Jersey and
Holstein.
Holstein
The entire ZBNF method is centred on the Indian cow,
which historically has been part of Indian rural life.
He says that one local cow can meet the requirements of
natural farming for 30 acres of land.
Palekar says that cow dung should be used as fresh as
possible while the urine used should be as old as possible
as they are more effective.
MIXED CROPPING AND CROP ROTATION

Zero Budget Natural Farming advocates cultivation of diverse

species of crops depending on site specific agro climatic
conditions. Mixed cropping provides buffer against total failure of
single crop and also widens the income source of farmers.
There is stress on inclusion of leguminous crops to ensure
replenishment of soil fertility. Crop rotation is also emphasized to
discourage build up of endemic pests. In the scheme of mixed
cropping, cereals, millets, leguminous crops, horticulture crops
particularly vegetables and even medicinal plants can be included
to make farming more lucrative.
The system also advocates wider spacing of crops to facilitate inter
cropping. Palekar has repeatedly stressed that just as diversity is
the rule of nature the farm should also have diverse species.
PLANT PROTECTION IN ZBNF
In the event of outbreak of insects and diseases the
farmer can himself prepare home made pesticides
and use it on the crops.
In no case he is to purchase chemical or organic
plant protection agents from the market.
market
The plant protection agents that can be used by
farmers in ZBNF include.
Agniastra
Brahmastra
Neemastra
 AGNIASTRA
Agniastra is a very powerful agent against pests like leaf
roller, stem borer, fruit borer & pod borer.
The solution can be prepared in-house by the farmers.
Materials required:
Cow urine (go - mutra)
Crushed leaves of Tobacco @ 25 g per litre of cow urine.
Deshi hot green chilli pulp @ 25 g per litre of cow urine.
Deshi garlic pulp @ 12.5 g per litre of cow urine.
Crushed neem leaves (with thin stems) or neem seed
powder @ 100 g per litre of cow urine.
 AGNIASTRA
Mix all the ingredients in a earthen pot.
Use wooden stick for mixing the ingredients.
The stick should be moved clockwise while mixing so that
positive energy is circulated in the mixture.
Boil the solution.
Cover the pot with gunny bag or poly net.
net
Tank should be in shade and ensure the tank is not exposed
to direct sunlight or rain water.
Let the mixture ferment for 48 hours.
Stir the solution clockwise using a wooden stick 2 times a
day for 1 min.
After 48 hours filter the solution and store agniastra in
bottle.
 USAGE OF AGNIASTRA
The solution should be sprayed on the infected
plants.

For foliar spray use 3% agniastra with water.

If the infestation is high then you can use 4%

solution.

For 1 acre mix 6 to 8 litres of agniastra with 200

litres of water and spray on the plants.
 BRAMHASTRA
Crush 3 kg neem leaves in 10 lit cow urine.
Crush 2 kg custard apple leaf, 2 kg papaya leaf, 2 kg
pomegranate leaves, 2 kg guava leaves in water.
Mix the two and boil 5 times at some interval till it
become half.
Keep for 24 hours, then filter squeeze the extract.
This can be stored in bottles for 6 months.
This preparation is highly effective against sucking
pests, pod / fruit borers.
Dilute 2.0 - 2.5 litre of this extract in 100 litre water
for 1 acre.
 NEEMASTRA
Take 100 litre water.
Add 5 litre local cow urine in it.
Add 5 Kg local cow dung in it.
Crush 5 Kg of neem leaves & add this neem pulp in
this water.
water
Let this solution ferment for 24 hours
Stir this solution twice a day by any stick.
Filter this by cloth.
Spray this Neemastra as it is on the plants for
sucking pests & mealy bug.
 PLANT PROTECTION IN ZBNF

This preparation is effective against white fly, jassids,

aphids etc.
etc
 PLANT PROTECTION IN ZBNF

Insecticide- I

a. Powder of neem seed or Neem leaves 20 kg

b. Water 200 litres

 PLANT PROTECTION IN ZBNF

This mixture is particularly effective against aphids,

jassids, mealy bugs and white flies.
 PLANT PROTECTION IN ZBNF

The above ingredients should be soaked in cow urine for ten

days About 3 litres of this mixture can be mixed with 100 litres
days.
of water and sprayed on crops.
All the previously mentioned fungicides and insecticides can
be prepared by the farmer himself and used either as
prophylactic or as curative measure for control of crop
pests.
If the economic injury to crops due to pests is less than five
per cent, it should be deemed to be ‘return to nature’ and no
plant protection measures should be taken.
 thanks
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