Prospect, feasibility of natural farming in state
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: March 21, 2023 -

OF late, policy makers have been vigorously promoting the concept and practice of natural farming, which is a chemical-free ortraditional farming method, considered agro-ecology based diversified farming system involving integration of crops, trees and livestock with functional diversity.

In India, natural farming is promoted as Bhartiya Prakritik Krishi Paddhati Programme (BPKP) underthe centrally sponsored Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY).

An initiative of the NITI Aayog, BPKP is aimed at promoting traditional indigenous practices which reduce externally purchased inputs and is largely based on on-farm biomass recycling with major emphasis on biomass mulching, use of on-farm cow-urine formulations, periodic soil aeration and exclusion of all synthetic chemical inputs.

The three-day international conference on ‘Natural farming for Revitalising Environment & Resilient Agriculture’ hosted by Central Agricultural University (CAU), Imphal demonstrated determination of both the central and the state governments to revive the age-old tradition of producing nutritious and healthy food grains and vegetables.

As elaborated by Union MoS Dr RK Ranjan in his speech during the valedictory function, use of chemical-based fertilisers and pesticides not only reduces the fertility of the soil and harms the environment but also increases the burden on the farmers in purchasing external inputs.

Even if realisation of the goal for a full-throttle natural farming might take some years, it is heartening to note that some states like Kerala, Maharashtra, etc., have already implemented schemes like Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), PKVY and BPKP, all aimed at encouraging the farmers to abandon the unhealthy agricultural practices and methods.

Before the advent of natural farming, there has been increasing demand for foods produced organically across the world though the consumers are mainly limited to the creamy layers of the society due to low productivity of such produce.

With the people getting increasingly health conscious, producers of organic agricultural and horticultural crops are subjected to close monitoring by authorised agencies so as to ensure that the consumers do not get a raw deal.

In the state’s context, government agency namely MOMA has been fairly successful in convincing the farmers to go organic as is evident from periodical export of their produce.

Similar to the emphasis on organic farming and success tasted, the Union government seems fully geared up to promote natural farming mainly due to increasing reliance on chemical fertiliser-centric mechanised farming by the food producers and its adverse effect on soil fertility.

Having experienced and suffered various ailments due to consistent consumption of food and vegetables containing chemical contents, it is natural for the consumers to yearn for longer and healthier life.

Such growing consciousness among the general population gives immense potential for popularity of naturally farmed food items.

However, in a state like Manipur where the prime paddy fields are giving way to structural constructions regardless of the government framing laws to preserve the existing farmland, and the quantum of agricultural produce is highly disproportionate with the demand, successful implementation of natural farming will entail proper irrigation system, extension of benefit of the various schemes to genuine farmers, fixing market price of the produce in commensurate with the farmers’ labour and most important of all impressing the farmers that it would be bring more financial benefits than the contemporary methods, to name a few.