India is a predominantly agricultural country, and despite recent economic diversification, the majority of the population still works in agriculture. In fact, agriculture and farmers are the backbone of the national economy.
With the years passing, much has been innovated in the farming sector, and new-generation tractors like VST Tractor or Mahindra are ruling the market. Such immense competition has dramatically brought down the Tractor Price in modern farming.
Well, let’s come to our context. The story dates back to 1975 when a Japanese farmer Masanobu Fukuoka advocated a return to natural farming. He even released a book One-Straw Revolution. Soon after the launch, the concept became a global talk.
However, farmers practised natural farming in India for a long time before the Green Revolution popped up and took over their traditional techniques. After the Green Revolution, India’a farming was filled with high-cost chemical inputs and hybrid seeds.
Moreover, Zero Budget Natural Farming is one such agriculture method claimed to return to roots. In addition, the GoI has been promoting organic farming through dedicated schemes like Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana.
What Is Zero Budget Natural Farming?
It amalgamates various farming applications and peasant movements that have spread across India. Moreover, this farming practice involves the natural growth of crops without any chemical inputs, as the word suggests, with Zero Budget!
This technique promises to decrease farming expenditure and encourage using native seeds and natural fertilizers. So, get down your modern VST Tractor and scout to feed your field with earthworms, cow waste, plants, human excrement, and organic fertilizers for crop protection. Trust me; it will reduce your investment and protect the soil from degradation.
Tracing Back To The Beginning Of India’s Zero Budget Natural Farming
With years of evolution in the farming industry, tractor prices came down. Moreover, government campaigns like Green Revolution also began to hurt the soil profile and, ultimately, farmers’ livelihood.
Following such matics, some farmers began returning to the traditional style. One of them was Subhash Palekar of Vidarbha, a former chemical farmer till 1986.
After years of experience and experience, he met Japanese philosopher Fukuoka during his India visit. Together they created a four-pointer natural farming plan and broadcasted it across Karnataka, labelling it as zero-budget natural farming!
So, What Are Those Four Pillars Of Natural Farming With Zero Budget?
Let’s find out!
1. Natural Fertilizer
It is basically a mixture of aged cow excreta (dung and urine) of indigenous breeds, traditional jaggery, lentil flour, acid, and regular water. This mixture is supposed to be directly applied to the farmland and works as an organic fertilizer.
2. Bijamrita
Bijamrita is a mixed format of neem leaves, tobacco, pulp and garden chillies. Moreover, this mixture prevents insects and helps in pest control. However, it also finds its use in natural seed treatment.
3. Acchadana (Mulching)
Mulching shields the soil’s top layer during farming and does not harm it by tillage. The brownie point is this method also helps soil hold moisture content.
4. Whapasa
It is a traditional technique to combine and trap both air and water molecules in the water. And hence, it reduces the additional watering requirements.
Advantages Of Zero Budget Natural Farming
This practice reduces farmers’ initial costs and improves income. However, it also involves the soil ecosystem at a greater level. This is because locally available cow dung contains many plant nutrients and soil value. Moreover, bacteria and other microbes in cow excreta help decompose soil organic matter and prepare the soil for plants.
This farming technique is water efficient, just like your fuel-efficient VST Tractor. In addition, it is free of all chemical-based inputs and requires no electricity. Hence, this farming application removes the risk of potential diseases due to harmful chemicals.
Disadvantages of Zero Budget Natural farming
The main disadvantage is for the farmers who go by misunderstanding the word. However, the technique is mostly natural and involves no expensive inputs. But it still accounts for all the indirect labour, cattle rearing, feeds and other important livestock vaccinations.
Moreover, this method is profit pouring in the long run, but it again depends on feasibility. Therefore, I suggest combining natural and chemical-based tactics for the initial stages and slowly eliminating the chemical after a few years.
Final Thoughts
So, that’s all; thank you for your time! I have tried to list the maximum advantages and disadvantages for farmers. Moreover, it is one of the best solution-led farming for middle-income farmers. But nothing can stop you from farming, not even money (obviously, you need land) and a tractor. The VST tractor is the equipment for marginal farmers. Moreover, you also pitch for a marginal Escorts Tractor Price at Tractor Junction!
Author Bio
I am Priya Varma, and I have been working as Content Writer at Rananjay Exports for past 2 years. My expertise lies in researching and writing both technical and fashion content. I have written multiple articles on Gemstone Jewelry like gemstone manufacturer in jaipur and other stones over the past years and would love to explore more on the same in future. I hope my work keeps mesmerizing you and helps you in the future.
