Regional Consultation Program On The Science Of Natural Farming:
The “Regional Consultation Program on the Science of Natural Farming” emphasised the importance of natural farming as a sustainable agricultural practice.
- It was announced that farmers who practise natural farming on a portion of their land for 3 years will be eligible for government subsidies.
- Natural farming is an agricultural practice that emphasises minimal intervention and the use of natural resources to cultivate crops.
- It seeks to enhance soil health, biodiversity, and ecosystem balance without relying on synthetic fertilisers, pesticides, or herbicides.
- It is largely based on on-farm biomass recycling with major stress on biomass mulching, use of on-farm cow dung-urine formulations; maintaining soil aeration and exclusion of all synthetic chemical inputs.
- Several states, including Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu, have initiated programs to promote natural farming.
- Currently, over 10 lakh hectares of land in India are being used for natural farming.
