Why in the news?

In the 2024-25 Budget proposals, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman declared that over the next two years, one crore farmers nationwide will be introduced to natural farming, with support provided through certification and branding.

National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF):

The National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) aims to encourage farmers to adopt chemical-free farming practices and willingly shift to natural farming based on the merits of the system.
The government believes the success of NMNF hinges on changing farmers’ behaviour to transition from chemical-based inputs to cow-based, locally-produced inputs, supported by a financial outlay of ₹4,645.69 crore over six years (2019-20 to 2024-25) under the ‘Bharatiya Prakritik Krishi Paddhati’ scheme.

What is natural farming?

Natural farming avoids the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, instead promoting traditional indigenous practices.
It focuses on recycling on-farm biomass, employing biomass mulching, and utilizing formulations made from cow dung and urine.
Pests are managed through diverse farming practices and on-farm botanical mixtures, strictly excluding all synthetic chemical inputs.

What are the concerns related to Yield?

Yield Reduction: Agricultural experts are concerned that a large-scale transition to natural farming could result in reduced crop yields. Studies have shown significant declines in yield for staples like wheat (59%) and basmati rice (32%) compared to integrated crop management systems.
Food Security: Lower yields from natural farming could threaten food security in a populous country like India, potentially only being able to feed around one-third of the population with staples like wheat and rice.

Findings on the Ground:

Mixed outcomes: Field experiments have shown mixed results. Some studies indicate improved yields and incomes with lower costs due to biological inputs, while others show a decline in productivity.
Good Results in Andra Pradesh: In Andhra Pradesh, adopting natural farming methods has shown promising results, leading to better crop yields and enhanced farmers’ incomes.
Concerns about sustainability and productivity: Agro-scientists from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the Indian Institute of Farming Systems Research (IIFSR) have raised concerns about the sustainability and productivity of natural farming methods.

Differences in Studies:

CESS Study: The Centre for Economic and Social Studies (CESS) and Institute for Development Studies Andhra Pradesh found that natural farming practices led to improved yields and incomes for farmers, thereby enhancing food and nutritional security.
ICAR-IIFSR Study: The study by ICAR-IIFSR reported a significant decline in yields of key crops like wheat and basmati rice when compared to conventional farming practices, suggesting a negative impact on food supply.

Case study of Sri Lanka:

Policy Shift: Sri Lanka’s decision to completely switch to organic farming and ban chemical fertilizers led to economic and political turmoil.
Yield Decline: Farmers struggled to obtain natural fertilizers, resulting in reduced yields of key crops, including rice.
Food Security Risk: The shift put the country’s food security at risk, causing sharp price escalations and widespread protests and unrest.

Way forward:

Localized Implementation and Scientific Validation: Need to conduct rigorous scientific studies and extensive field trials to validate the productivity and viability of natural farming methods before scaling them up nationwide.
Hybrid Approach and Support for Farmers: Govt. should adopt a hybrid approach that combines the best practices of both natural and conventional farming to ensure food security.

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