What is the issue?
- Andhra Pradesh CM announced that the State would fully embrace Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF).
- India could consider replicating the model for the country.
Technology is simply the systematic application of knowledge for practical purposes
What is ZBNF?
- Zero Budget Natural farming (ZBNF) is said to be “do nothing farming”.
- It involves the application of nature’s principles in farming.
- It practises no-till, no chemical use in farming.
- Alongside, dispersal of clay seed balls to propagate plants is done.
- The key aspects integral to it and which require locally available materials are:
- seeds treated with cow dung and urine
- soil rejuvenated with cow dung, cow urine and other local materials to increase microbes
- cover crops, straw and other organic matter to retain soil moisture and build humus
- soil aeration for favourable soil conditions
- These methods are combined with natural insect management methods when required.
- The ZBNF is a technology of the future with a traditional idiom.
What are the benefits?
- In ZBNF, yields of various cash and food crops have been found to be significantly higher.
- E.g. yields from ZBNF plots were found on average to be 11% higher for cotton than in non-ZBNF plots.
- The yield for Guli ragi (ZBNF) was 40% higher than non-ZBNF.
- Input costs are near zero as no fertilizers and pesticides are used.
- Profits in most areas under ZBNF were from higher yield and lower inputs.
- Model ZBNF farms were able to withstand drought and flooding.
- Notably these are the serious emerging concerns with regard to climate change.
- Planting multiple crops and border crops on same field provides varied income and nutrient sources.
- Overall, there is
- reduced use of water and electricity
- improved health of farmers
- flourishing of local ecosystems and biodiversity
- no toxic chemical residues in the environment
- improvements in soil, biodiversity, livelihoods, water
- climate resilience
- women’s empowerment and nutrition
How is ZBNF better than organic farming?
- Organic agriculture often involves addition of materials required in bulk and have to be purchased.
- These are large amounts of manure, vermicompost and other materials.
- These turn out to be expensive for most small farm holders.
What is the Andhra Pradesh model?
- Initiatives - Successful pilot programmes were initiated in 2015 and partnerships for gaining inputs were taken up.
- With this, Andhra Pradesh has become the first State to implement a ZBNF policy.
- Coverage - This year, 5 lakh farmers will be covered, with at least one panchayat in each of the mandals shifting to this new method.
- By 2021-22, the programme is to be implemented in every panchayat, with full coverage by 2024.
- Strategies - Tenant farmers and day labourers are being trained.
- This ensures that through the ZBNF, livelihoods for the rural poor are being enhanced.
- Farmer-to-farmer connections are vital to the success of the programme.
- Establishment of farmer’s collectives such as Farmer Producer Organisations are encouraged.
- Funding - The Government of India provides funding through the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana and Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana.
- Additional resources have been made available through various philanthropic organisations.
- Participation - Andhra Pradesh has supported and learned from its many effective civil society organisations.
- This include Watershed Support Services and Activities Network, Centre for Sustainable Agriculture, Deccan Development Society.
- The scaling up relies primarily on farmers and local groups; in all, very much a bottom-up process.
- Open-minded enlightened political leaders and administrators have been fundamental in this process.
- Geography - Andhra Pradesh has a combination of delta regions, arid and hilly tribal areas.
- Thus the districts in Andhra Pradesh are similar to those in other parts of the country.
- It could therefore serve as a workable model for replication.
- The drought-prone Rayalaseema region (Andhra Pradesh) is reportedly seeing promising changes in farms with the ZBNF.
What is the way ahead?
- The programme can have a positive effect on many of the sustainable development goals.
- As ZBNF is applied in India’s various agro-ecological zones, making farmers the innovators is essential.
- Agricultural scientists in India have to rework their strategy so that farming is in consonance with nature.
- The dominant paradigm of chemical-based agriculture has failed and regenerative agriculture is the emerging new science.
Source: The Hindu