Natural Farming: Embracing Regenerative Agriculture for Sustainable Crop Production

Abstract

Natural farming, a regenerative agriculture is advocated and promoted worldwide to produce safe and quality produce and to live in harmony with nature. It is “Chemical free farming” or “do-nothing farming” is a sustainable farming approach that aims to work with nature instead of trying to change it. It focuses on improving soil biological fertility without relying on synthetic chemicals or external inputs. It lies in a simple principle of utilizing low-cost and local inputs with zero utilization of chemicals. Major strategy is continuous application of cow dung and cow urine-based concoctions beside following effective recycling of crop residues, leguminous intercrops as soil cover, pre- monsoon dry sowing, minimizing the irrigation and balancing the soil, air and moisture by irrigating at noon. The farmer is considered only to be a facilitator - the real work is done by Nature herself. No- tillage and farming without the application of herbicides, inorganic fertilizers and pesticides is practiced. Here, actual physical work and labor has been seen to reduce by up to 80% compared to other farming systems. The essence of natural farming is minimizing the external inputs to the farm land, which degenerate the soil nature and improving the crop yield. The Natural farming a cost-effective farming practices with scope for raising employment and rural development. Natural farming also offers a solution to various problems such as food insecurity, farmers distress, health problems arising due to pesticide, fungicide and fertilizers residue in food and water, climate change and natural calamities.