Zero Budget Natural Farming

What is Zero-Budget Natural Farming?

• The creator of the ZBNF model in India is Subhash Palekar and it was first practised in Karnataka state. He recommends the four aspects of ZBNF that are: Bijamrit, Jiamrit, Mulching and Waaphasa.
• Bijamrit is a microbial coating of seed, Jivamrit is an enhancement of soil microbes, Mulching is covering the soil with crops and Waaphasa is building of soil humus.
• Under this farming, topsoil is covered with crop residues to increase water retention, coating of seeds with cow dung and urine.

Criticism of ZNBF:

• ZBNF is hardly zero budget as many ingredients have to be purchased and apart from this wages of hired labour, the imputed value of family labour, imputed rent over-owned land, costs of maintaining cows and paid-out costs on electricity and pump sets are all costs that ZBNF proponents conveniently ignore.
• There is no claims that ZNBF produces a higher yield than non- ZNBF plot as no field trials are available, unlike conventional farming output.
• Indian soils are poor in organic matter content as 59% of soils are low in available nitrogen; about 49% are low in available phosphorus.
• Salinity and micronutrients deficiency is there in many parts of the land.
• Soils are toxic due to heavy metal pollution from industrial and municipal wastes or excessive application of fertilizers and pesticides.
• All nutrients are present in adequate quantities in all types of soils though they are not in a usable form.

Scientific approach needed:

• Necessary steps should be taken to check wind and water erosion of soils.
• Innovative technologies should be included to minimise physical degradation of soils due to waterlogging, flooding and crusting.
• Improve the fertility of saline, acidic, alkaline and toxic soils by reclaiming them.
• Location-specific interventions towards balanced fertilisation and integrated nutrient management should be needed.
• A comprehensive approach is needed to embrace a strong scientific temper.

So finally, the inclusion of Zero Based Natural Farming into our agricultural policy by the government appears unwise and imprudent.