Natural farming is an organic agriculture practice that is nearly akin to the actual benchmark; it doesn’t use artificial inputs such as fertilizers and pesticides. It is based on conventional agriculture intended to develop a complete cycle where the soil fertility is maintained, and the influence on the environment is minimized, while providing high quality crops. Natural farming is now accepted internationally as the answer to the problems of modern day farming that include decline in the fertility of soils, water resources and chemical toxicity.
Principles of Natural Farming
This farming runs on a few key principles:
1)No Synthetic Chemicals:
Chemical fertilizer and pesticide or herbicide are not used but instead the farmer uses compost, cow dung and urine formulations.
2)Minimal Soil Disturbance:
Tillage is shunned in order to control the indigenous structure and life forms of the soil. Related to that, soil mulching and crop cycling contribute to fertility and prevent soil erosion.
3)Diverse Cropping:
In OCRed texts we were able to see that intercropping and crop diversity practiced to increase the pest resistance and to support biodiversity.
4)Self-Sustaining Systems:+
That is, natural farming does not rely on imports of inputs but prefers to source the inputs locally. Some of the best Bon practices includes, green manterns and nitrogen fixing plants carry out their practices by naturally fertilizing the soil.
5)Livestock Integration:
Animal is an essential component or natural agriculture program. The waste from these animals has been utilized in production of organic manure on the other hand their grazing assists in controlling weeds.
History of Natural Farming
The agricultura natural currently known was developed by Masanobu Fukuoka, a farmer and a philosopher from Japan. Still, in his essay published in his book, The One-Straw Revolution, I think that he was able to address the essence of being a farmer perfectly. Initially India’s Subhash Palekar has adopted the ‘Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF)’ as the system of farming that involves least use of costly inputs as the name suggests that he wanted to build the system just out of small farmers from where they will be able to meet their livelihood expenses.
Methods Used in Natural Farming
Mulching:
Organic mulch consist of straw or dried leaves on soil surface where water evaporates less readily, suppresses weeds growth as well as contributes to the soil organic matter.
Jeevamrut:
Combination of cow dung, urine, jaggery, gram flour Jeevamrut increases soil health and the microbial population.
Beejamrut:
A seed treatment solution produced by combining natural products to control pests and diseases in seeds.
Natural Pest Control:
Instead of chemicals, people use neem oil, chili-garlic sprays, or plant based-solutions in order to prevent pests, but without polluting the environment.
Green Manuring:
Sowing the soil with nitrogen fixing crops such as legumes enhances soil health and fertility without any added boost.
Benefits of Natural Farming
Environmentally Friendly:
Chemicals are eliminated,reducing pollution, safeguarding water , and preserving the variations of life.
Improved Soil Health:
Soil organic matters and microbial action help in enhancing soil fertility, structure and water holding capacity of the soil.
Cost-Effective:
Farmers do not spend a lot of money in this unprofitable fertilizers and pesticides hence the production expenses is reduced.
Healthier Produce:
Organically grown crops do not contain bad chemo-therapeutic residues, and therefore they provide nutrition and health benefits.
Climate Resilience:
enhances c and water accumulation in the soil in a way that will help counter climate changes.
Challenges in Natural Farming
While this farming offers numerous benefits, it also offers challenges
Initial Transition:
From conventional farming to natural farming a lot of patience is needed as the health of the soil is accumulated over time.
Yield Concerns:
During its initial period of growth, yields tend to decrease, this explains why farmers may be discouraged by their yields after planting the crop.
Knowledge Gap:
Farmers require knowledge about Natural farming practices that may not always be easy to come by.
Pest and Weed Management:
The pests and weeds if controlled naturally with no use of chemical means, this can be a time consuming exercise and needs to be worked on.
How Natural Farming Is Different from Organic Farming
Many people still remain in the dark about the concept of natural farming, and whether it falls under the realm of organic farming. While both prioritize sustainability, there are key differences:
Inputs:
The organic farming includes organic certified fertilizers and pesticide while natural farming does not use any outside input.
Certifications:
While organic farming needs to be certified, the natural farming mainly relies on farming methods.
Cost:
Natural farming is mostly cheaper in terms of inputs because it does not depend so much on the market price of inputs.
Successful Case Studies
India:
Consumer interest in organic food has been growing rapidly in the last decade and ZBNF by Subhash Palekar has benefited thousands of farmers in India by significantly cutting their input costs and replenishing the soil.
Japan:
Unsurprisingly, Masanobu Fukuoka’s farm turned into an agricultural mecca after inspiring people with the example of how a farm can produce yields with minimum interference.
Africa:
Those farmers who are applying natural farming have experienced reduced vulnerability to dry spells and an increased food availability.
How to Start Natural Farming
If you’re interested in adopting natural farming, here are some steps to get started:
Learn the Basics:
Learn about the procedures of natural farming from books, seminars and over the internet.
Start Small:
One should start with a small piece of land that is used to test out a variety of practices and compare yields.
Focus on Soil Health:
Organic mulch, green manure, and microbial solutions should form part of enhanced soil fertility.
Diversify Crops:
Try to cultivate more than one crop at once so that you reduce the chances of pest infestation.
Collaborate:
The knowledge and experience that people gain when joined in groups with other farmers in the farming communities must be shared.
The Future of Natural Farming
Bon farming is much more than a method of farming, it is the direction towards a more sustainable life. With the growing problems affecting the globe today including global warming, natural farming presents one of the best opportunities to produce food securely in the midst of nature. Global governments and organizations are finding its applications andare offering it through insurance policies,subsidies; and training.
Conclusion
Natural farming refers to agriculture that enhances the natural diverse system of soil assets to support and sustain crop production. It is a healthier way because no chemicals are involved to harm the crops or deteriorate the quality of the soils and the environment. All these difficulties notwithstanding, there are merits that make natural farming plausible for the generations to come. As a farmer, consumer or an advocate, people should accept natural farming because it enhances the development of a healthier planet and the future.Read more
