From Soil to Sustainability: The Promise of Natural Farming

Natural Farming is emerging as an approach to sustainable agriculture that seeks to reduce dependence on externally purchased chemical fertilisers and pesticides while promoting efficient use of local farm resources and ecological processes. Excessive and imbalanced use of chemical inputs has raised concerns regarding soil health, nutrient losses, water pollution and environmental sustainability. Natural Farming addresses these concerns through practices such as Bijamrita for seed treatment, Jivamrita for enhancing soil biological activity, Acchadana (mulching) for moisture conservation, Whapasa for maintaining a balance of air and water in the soil, and ecological approaches to plant protection. In India, several states have promoted Natural Farming through farmer training, certification, assured markets and institutional support. The National Mission on Natural Farming, launched in 2024, further provides a national framework for expanding these practices. By integrating locally available resources, soil-health management, water conservation and biological pest management, Natural Farming has the potential to improve resource-use efficiency, reduce input dependence and contribute to environmentally sustainable and economically viable farming systems