19-November-2024-Editorial

ANDHRA PRADESH’S NATURAL FARMING MODEL: A FUTURE OF SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE

The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), in collaboration with the Andhra Pradesh government, has analyzed the state’s natural farming model and highlighted its potential to revolutionize agriculture.

By promoting sustainable practices, it is expected to double employment opportunities for farmers and significantly improve their incomes by 2050. This approach aligns with global efforts to transition to environmentally friendly farming methods.

What is Natural Farming?

Natural farming is a sustainable agricultural method that avoids the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides.

It relies on indigenous practices and locally available resources, such as cow dung and urine, to maintain soil fertility and manage pests.

Key Features

• Encourages recycling of farm waste like crop residues (mulching) to enrich soil health.
• Promotes biodiversity and uses natural concoctions for pest control.
• Considered a form of regenerative agriculture, which helps sequester carbon and reduce greenhouse gases.

Adoption in India

• States like Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, and Kerala have implemented natural farming models.
• Though in the early stages, it is steadily gaining acceptance among farmers.

Zero-Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) in Andhra Pradesh

Introduction and Implementation

• Launched in 2016 as an alternative to chemical-intensive farming.
• Implemented through the Rythu Sadhikara Samstha, a non-profit created by the state’s agriculture department.
• Now known as the Andhra Pradesh Community Managed Natural Farming program, aiming to cover 6 million farmers across 6 million hectares.

Recognition in Policy

• Highlighted in the 2019 Union Budget under the scheme Bharatiya Prakritik Krishi Paddhati (BPKP), which is a component of the centrally sponsored Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY).

Benefits of Natural Farming

Increased Employment

• Natural farming could employ twice as many farmers as industrial agriculture by 2050, with projections showing 10 million farmers engaged compared to 5 million in the industrial model.
• Unemployment in the farming sector would reduce to 7% under natural farming, compared to a projected 30% in industrial agriculture.

Higher Farmer Incomes

• Reduces input costs by eliminating the need for expensive seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, and machinery.
• Farmers benefit from premium pricing for chemical-free produce, narrowing the income gap between farmers and non-farmers to 22% by 2050 (compared to 47% under industrial farming).

Improved Land Use and Biodiversity

• Cultivated area is expected to expand to 8.3 million hectares by 2050 under natural farming, compared to 5.5 million hectares in industrial agriculture.
• Helps reverse land degradation, combat desertification, and enhance biodiversity.

Nutritional Gains

• Produces more nutritious food, with higher levels of essential nutrients and no chemical residues.
• Per capita food availability is estimated at 5,008 kilocalories/day under natural farming, higher than the 4,054 kilocalories/day under industrial agriculture.

Challenges in Implementing Natural Farming

Lack of Farmer Training

• Transitioning to natural farming requires extensive training and handholding, which are currently insufficient.

Complex Certification Processes

• Organic certification processes like the Participatory Guarantee System (PGS-India) are cumbersome.
• Third-party certifications are expensive and beyond the reach of small farmers.

Weak Market Linkages

• Farmers struggle to find reliable markets and fair prices for their organic produce due to inadequate procurement systems.

Limited Financial and Policy Support

• Budget allocation for organic farming programs remains minimal compared to subsidies for chemical fertilizers.
• Lack of adequate support from the scientific community slows the adoption of natural farming.

Dependency on Chemicals

• A significant portion of the agricultural system still relies on chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
• Small farmers are hesitant to adopt natural methods due to concerns about lower yields and pest management challenges.

Initiatives Promoting Natural Farming

• Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY): Encourages organic farming and traditional agricultural practices.
• Bharatiya Prakritik Krishi Paddhati (BPKP): A central scheme to promote natural farming.
• National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF): Focuses on scaling up natural farming practices across the country.

Way Forward

Scientific Validation

• Conduct rigorous studies to evaluate the yield potential of natural farming, particularly for staple crops like wheat and rice, to ensure food security.

Localized Adoption

• Encourage natural farming for supplementary crops, while retaining conventional methods for staples to balance sustainability with food production.

Enhanced Support Systems

• Strengthen training programs and marketing linkages to make natural farming viable for small and marginal farmers.
• Provide better financial incentives and policy support to increase adoption.

Learning from Global Experiences

• Avoid abrupt transitions like Sri Lanka’s shift to organic farming, which led to reduced yields and food shortages.

Conclusion

Natural farming presents a promising alternative to chemical-intensive agriculture, offering environmental, economic, and social benefits. Andhra Pradesh’s model, supported by FAO’s analysis, demonstrates its potential to transform the agricultural landscape by doubling employment opportunities, improving farmer incomes, and promoting sustainable practices. With adequate training, policy support, and scientific validation, natural farming can contribute significantly to a greener and more equitable future.

Mains Question:

1. “Discuss the potential of natural farming in addressing unemployment, income disparity, and environmental degradation in India while highlighting the challenges in its large-scale implementation.” (150 WORDS)