Natural farming research spreads its roots in HP

Ravinder  Sood

With the research initiatives of CSK Himachal Pradesh Agriculture University, natural farming has taken its roots in the state. 

With the purpose to replicate Gurukul (Kurukshetra) model of “Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF)”, the foundation stone of a model centre of ZBNF was laid in January, 2018. The plan is to develop packages and practices, dissemination of ZBNF technology to  stakeholders and human resource development besides capacity building in the field of ZBNF. 

Vice-Chancellor Prof Ashok Kumar Sarial said the university was fortunate to get guidance from  the Chancellor, who was an exponent of natural farming system and got full support from the state government in initiating work on the new farming system with the initial grant. 

The Vice-Chancellor expressed his satisfaction that initial research findings on the ZBNF were very encouraging. The initial findings on some cereal, vegetable, pulse and oilseed crops have yielded positive results. In case of radish, 31 per cent higher yields were obtained than under the organic system. Similarly, in cabbage, the increase was 10 per cent, whereas, in cauliflower there was no difference in yields. In some other vegetables like broccoli, kale, Chinese cabbage and pea, the yields were five to 10 per cent lower in ZBNF as compared to organic system, but the net returns were higher due to low input cost. Results were satisfactory in garlic, lentil, wheat, gram, gobhi sarson and linseed. The yields in these crops were either higher or slightly lower under ZBNF. 

He said in the first year, the university was rearing a dozen indigenous cows and had also procured six other local breed belonging to the state. Since indigenous  cow is most essential component of natural farming so the university has procured two cows of Sahiwal breed and is in the process of procuring gir or redsindhi breeds, the known indigenous cow breeds of the country. 

He said research work had also been initiated at all eight Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) of the university and KVKs in Una and Kullu have been assigned work on it. Around 20 per cent of experiment farms under KVKs have been brought under natural farming and regular exposure visits were conducted for the farmers. Thirteen PhD students and 18 MSc students are pursuing their research work related to natural farming. Accordingly, postgraduate research has    been directed as per need of the state, transforming it into natural farming. The undergraduate students of BSc, agriculture, (honours) under Rural Appraisal Work Experience (RAWE) programme have also demonstrated the preparation of natural farming inputs like beejamarit, jeevamrit, ghanjeevamrit, etc to the farmers. 

He said the university would develop a replica model of ZBNF and demonstrate eco-friendly profitable production technologies under natural farming. The main purpose is to economically uplift small and marginal farmers through adoption of the eco-friendly model of farming as it is the mantra for safe and nutritional food essential for healthy living. He said efforts would be made adopt natural farming on a large scale in the state with active collaboration of the State Department of Agriculture, which has trained thousands of farmers covering all 3,226 panchayats, last year. 

Sarial said a new project entitled “Evaluation, refinement and dissemination of technologies of Subhash Palekar Natural Farming (SPNF) in HP” worth Rs 159 lakh had also been sanctioned and the university was in the process of implementing it. 

Under the project, packaging of wheat, maize, rice, gram, lentil, finger millet and foxtail millet will be developed and technologies will be disseminated among farmers. 

Comparative study of pahari, high yielding indigenous and cross breed cows under dairy, stall fed and natural grazing conditions will also be conducted. Another objective is to study the effect of SPNF practices on soil health indicators and soil water dynamics, crop water use and water productivity over a period of time. 

He said natural farming would help improve the health of soil and water availability leading to sustained crop productivity and the university would be able to develop effective ZBNF plant disease and insect-pest management technologies for the farmers. This farming system will help in cultivating chemical-free produce, it will also help in improving the conditions of small and marginal farmers of the state. 

Comparative study of cow breeds

• Under the project, packaging of wheat, maize, rice, gram, lentil, finger millet and foxtail millet will be developed and technologies will be disseminated among farmers
• Comparative study of pahari, high- yielding indigenous and cross breed cows under dairy, stall fed and natural grazing conditions will also be conducted
• Another objective is to study the effect of SPNF practices on soil health indicators and soil water dynamics, crop water use and water productivity over a period of time