Principles and Practices of Zero Budget Natural Farming
Morajdhawaj Chandravanshi
Department of Agronomy, Dr Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Samastipur, Bihar, India.
Pratishruti Behera *
Department of Agronomy, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, Assam, India.
Suman Kashyap
Department of Agronomy, Indira Gandhi Agricultural University, Raipur, Chattisgarh, India.
Raghunath Ray
Department of Agronomy Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, Assam, India.
Nirmal Karan
Department of Agronomy Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, Assam, India.
Bhargav Boro
Department of Agronomy Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, Assam, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) is a way of farming, which is based on minimum use of external inputs, no use of chemicals, minimum disturbance to soil, use of local bio-resources for production various commodities in the farm, etc. ZBNF is based on four major pillars: Jeevarutha; Bijamruita; Acchadana (mulching) and Whapasa (moisture management). Advantages of ZBNF are improvement of yield, ensurance of better health, environment conservation, increased farmers’ income, employment generation, reduced water consumption, minimized cost of production, reduced water consumption, elimination of application of synthetic chemical inputs, rejuvenation of soil health, etc. ZBNF has been getting popularity in different states like Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh, and Rajasthan. Government support is needed for extending the same to other states. In this chapter, effort has been made to compile the information available in different sources.
Keywords: Cost-effective farming, organic farming, resource conservation, soil health