Comprehensive analysis of natural farming practices across India: A systematic review
2025
Kumar Mishra, Ajay | Kumar Maurya, Piyush | Sheetal, Sharma
Natural farming, encompassing traditional, organic, and sustainable agricultural practices, is gaining prominence as a viable alternative to conventional farming. In India, with a significant proportion of the world's organic producers, natural farming has historical significance and diverse regional adaptations. This systematic review delves into the principles, historical evolution, techniques, regional adaptations, and impacts of natural farming on soil health, biodiversity, and economic viability. Natural farming, particularly Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF), reduces input costs and enhances soil health, although challenges such as lower initial yields and higher labor costs persist. This review highlights successful case studies, including ZBNF in Andhra Pradesh and organic farming in Sikkim. Additionally, these findings underscore the positive effects of natural farming on soil carbon sequestration and microbial activity. Despite these challenges, opportunities for scaling up natural farming are significant and supported by government policies and community initiatives. Future research needs to focus on long-term impacts, cost-effective bio inputs, and socioeconomic benefits to establish natural farming as a sustainable agricultural practice in India.
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