Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call to promote Natural Farming is, at its core, an appeal to revive sustainable, chemical-free agriculture. The message carries particular significance for India's small and marginal farmers, who form the backbone of the country's agrarian economy.
According to the Agriculture Census 2015-16, nearly 86% of India's operational landholdings belong to small and marginal farmers, making a low-cost, self-reliant farming model an economic necessity rather than merely an environmental choice. The National Sample Survey Office's Situation Assessment Survey of Agricultural Households (70th Round, 2013) found that around 52% of farming households were indebted, underscoring the financial strain caused, in part, by dependence on costly synthetic fertilisers and pesticides.
Natural Farming offers a practical alternative. Built on locally available resources such as cow dung, cow urine and other biological inputs, it seeks to reduce reliance on expensive chemical fertilisers and pesticides while restoring soil health.
The concept gained prominence through Padma Shri awardee Subhash Palekar, who introduced Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) in the mid-1990s, demonstrating that farming without purchased chemical inputs could be both productive and economically viable.
Among its strongest advocates is Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat, who describes Natural Farming not merely as an agricultural practice but as a holistic approach to safeguarding human health, rejuvenating soil fertility, conserving water and securing the future of coming generations.
In his view, it has the potential to lower cultivation costs, increase farmers' incomes and make agriculture both environmentally sustainable and economically resilient.
Natural Farming also offers India an opportunity to reduce its dependence on imported fertilisers such as urea and di-ammonium phosphate (DAP). Instead of synthetic inputs, it relies on biological formulations like jeevamrit and beejamrit, along with mulching and other soil-conservation techniques that improve soil fertility naturally. Crop diversification, multi-layer cropping and integrated pest management further strengthen ecological balance, enhance biodiversity and improve farm resilience. Together, these practices reduce production costs while helping maintain productivity over the long term.
Recognising these benefits, the Government of India launched the Bhartiya Prakritik Krishi Padhati (BPKP) in 2020-21 as a sub-scheme of the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY). The programme provides financial assistance of ₹12,200 per hectare over three years for farmer training, cluster formation, certification and residue analysis.
Official figures show that Natural Farming has already been adopted across more than 4.09 lakh hectares in eight states under the scheme.
Andhra Pradesh has emerged as the country's leading example. Through its Andhra Pradesh Community Managed Natural Farming (APCNF) programme, the state covered about 4.78 lakh farmers across 5.06 lakh acres during 2020-21, including nearly one lakh hectares under the BPKP scheme.
The environmental and public health costs of chemical-intensive agriculture are increasingly well documented. The World Health Organization identifies pesticide exposure as one of the leading causes of poisoning worldwide, with agricultural workers in developing countries bearing the greatest burden.
Numerous scientific studies have shown that a substantial proportion of pesticides applied in fields ultimately contaminates soil, water and air rather than remaining confined to target crops. Groundwater contamination from agricultural nitrates has also been reported in several Indian states, raising concerns about long-term environmental and health impacts.
The transition to Natural Farming, however, is unlikely to be without challenges. India's agrochemical industry is well established, and any shift away from synthetic inputs will inevitably affect existing commercial interests. Public policy debates have highlighted concerns that competing narratives, differing research findings and market dynamics may influence farmers' perceptions of Natural Farming.
Addressing these concerns will require transparent, independent scientific research, credible field demonstrations and evidence-based policymaking that places farmers' long-term interests at the centre.
Jammu and Kashmir is particularly well placed to embrace this transition. By promoting Natural Farming alongside complementary approaches such as Integrated Pest Management, Integrated Farming Systems and multi-layer cropping, the Union Territory can build a more resilient agricultural economy. The Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST), with campuses in Jammu and Srinagar, can develop region-specific farming protocols suited to the region's diverse agro-climatic conditions.
Krishi Vigyan Kendras and Farmer Field Schools can provide hands-on training, while structured financial support during the transition period and simplified certification systems can help farmers access premium markets. Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) can further strengthen market linkages by aggregating produce and improving farmers' bargaining power.
The potential gains for Kashmir's horticulture sector are considerable. The Valley produces nearly 16 lakh metric tonnes of apples annually, making horticulture the mainstay of its rural economy. Kashmir's GI-tagged Pampore saffron enjoys an international reputation for its superior quality, aroma and medicinal value.
If cultivated through Natural Farming, products such as saffron, apples, walnuts and almonds would be better positioned to access premium export markets in the European Union, Gulf countries and elsewhere, where certified residue-free produce often commands prices 30–50% higher than conventional alternatives.
For farmers in the Jammu region, the benefits are equally compelling. Cultivators of basmati rice, wheat, maize and vegetables spend significant amounts each season on fertilisers, pesticides and herbicides. Natural Farming can substantially reduce these input costs within a few years, easing financial pressure and freeing household income for education, healthcare and farm improvements.
With the global organic food market projected to exceed $600 billion by 2030, naturally grown basmati rice could capture a valuable premium niche. Improved soil structure and greater moisture retention would also reduce irrigation requirements, an important advantage as groundwater levels decline in several parts of the region and climate variability becomes more pronounced.
The broader environmental and public health dividends are equally significant. Cleaner food, safer drinking water, healthier soils and revitalised river ecosystems would improve the quality of life for millions.
A chemical-free agricultural landscape could also strengthen Jammu and Kashmir's agro-tourism potential, drawing visitors to its orchards, saffron fields and working farms while creating new livelihood opportunities for rural communities.
For Jammu and Kashmir—with its fragile mountain ecosystems, premium agricultural produce and unique natural heritage—Natural Farming is far more than an agricultural policy. It represents a practical, evidence-based pathway towards healthier soils, stronger rural livelihoods, safer food systems and a more sustainable future for both farmers and consumers.
*The author is a retired District Officer from the Department of Horticulture and currently serves as Convenor of We The Humans Forum for Nature and Mankind. He regularly writes on environmental and social issues for newspapers in Jammu and Kashmir.*