Dr. Arvind Kumar*
Prime Minister Modi’s clarion call to the farming community to adopt natural farming is very timely. Asserting that maximum benefits from natural farming can accrue to small farmers owning less than two-hectare land and who comprise 80 per cent of the total farmers in the country, PM Modi sympathized with small farmers who spend quite sum of amount on chemical fertilizers, and concurrently was sanguine about these farmers reaping good dividends when they turned towards natural farming. He cited the example of Gujarat that amply makes positive effects of natural farming quite visible.
Prime Minister Modi was virtually addressing the first national conclave as a part of the pre-Vibrant Gujarat summit for the agriculture sector at Anand Agriculture University, Anand in Gujarat.This event was attended by farmers across the country including the farmers who were connected live through central institutes of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Krishi Vigyan Kendras, and ATMA (Agricultural Technology Management Agency) network in states.
PM Modi expressed his happiness over the fact that thousands of farmers in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh had taken up natural farming and their experiences have been encouraging. Citing the examples of Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh where efforts of the respective state governments have proved instrumental in culminating in the rapid growth of natural farming, PM Modi appealed to all the state governments to come forward in making natural farming a people’s movement. As per media reports, natural farming is being practiced in over 6.5 lakh hectare land in 11 states of the country. Gujarat alone has over 1.17 lakh hectare under natural farming. The Prime Minister said that at least one village in each Panchayat should take up natural farming.
While conceding the important role played by chemical fertilizers during the Green Revolution, PM Modi said that it was also true that there was need to work on alternatives. Referring to the imports of pesticides and chemical fertilizers in large quantities and the resultant cost of farming going up and food becoming expensive for the poor along with problems associated with the health of farmers and all others in the country, he suggested that it was important to remain watchful and vigilant. While advocating for natural farming, PM Modi stated that there was no need for spending on fertilizers or pesticides under natural farming and the need for irrigation is also reduced thereby helping in countering floods and droughts.
Significance of Natural or Organic Farming
In contemporary times, natural farming is registering rapid strides throughout the globe. In the wake of the realization of the significance of food and its impact on human health, there is growing demand for food that is devoid of the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Organic farming is defined by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) as a “system which avoids or largely excludes the use of synthetic inputs (such as fertilizers, pesticides, hormones, feed additives etc.) and to the maximum extent feasibly relies upon crop rotation, crop residues, animal manures, off-farm organic waste. Mineral-grade rock additives and biological system of nutrient mobilization and plant protection.” Organic agriculture has been described by Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, former President of India, as “a holistic system focuses on improvement of soil health, use of local inputs and relatively highly intensity use of local labour, is an admirable fit for dry landsin many ways and the dry land offers many benefits that would make it relatively easy to implement.”
According to agricultural experts, approach of natural farming entails the conversion of the selected land from conventional to organic management in tandem with the management of the entire surrounding system thereby ensuring biodiversity and sustainability of the system. Besides, biological inputs like crop rotation, residue management and organic manures are rich sources of nutrients that help in facilitating increased production. Better management practices, physical and cultural means along with biological control system can be helpful in controlling weeds and pests. There is also a need for maintaining the livestock with organic concept and making them an essential part of the whole system.
Lessons from Sri Lanka
Undoubtedly, PM Modi’s emphasis on prioritizing natural farming is a welcome idea that is already in practice in many states in the country; nevertheless, the governments at the Centre and the states should not implement this idea in a hurry. Sri Lanka is a case in stark reality where hurried implementation for organic farming has proved a fiasco. Sri Lanka’s overnight decision to complete organic cultivation and ban on fertilizer imports proved instrumental in erecting numerous stumbling blocks that ultimately forced the Sri Lankan authorities to ultimately junk the policy just barely in six months.
*President, India Water Foundation
