Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) - natural and sustainable way of farming

<p>Naveen Khanal</p>

Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) - natural and sustainable way of farming

Naveen Khanal

Shree Kisan Innovation Hub Pvt Ltd, Nepal

: J Plant Physiol Pathol

Abstract

Monoculture, intensive tillage and use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides have ruined our soil making it almost dead and have entangled farmers in the vicious cycle of debt and suicide. So current farming system needs fundamental reformation in the face of population growth, climate change and degradation of health and environment. We cannot feed an estimated population in excess of 9 billion by 2050 with degraded natural resource base. So Zero Budgett(ZBNF) developed by Mr. Subhas Palekar could be a sustainable and effective way of farming and embodies Beejamrutham (microbial seed coating through cow urine and dung based formulations), Jeevamrutham (Enhance soil microbes through application of cow dung, cow urine and other local ingredients), Cover crops and mulching and Waaphasa (fast buildup of soil humus through ZBNF leads good soil aeration) as it’s four wheels. So, government of Andhra Pradesh (AP), India has initiated this approach of farming and currently 1.63 lakh farmers are being involved and have planned to cover entire arable land having 60 lakh farmers by 2025-25.