(The Gist of PIB) Zero-budget natural farming brought big gains for Andhra farmers


(THE GIST OF PIB) Zero-budget natural farming brought big gains for Andhra farmers

[September-2020]


Zero-budget natural farming brought big gains for Andhra farmers

  • Researchers at Bengaluru-based technology-policy think-tank Center for Study of Science, Technology and Policy conducted an exploratory study in Andhra Pradesh to compare ZBNF and non-ZBNF techniques in paddy, groundnut, chilli, cotton and maize farming.

Key highlights:

  • Findings were in part crops of like a study paddy, that groundnut compared ZBNF etc. It and compared non-ZBNF 6 ZERO BUDGET NATURAL FARMING parameters: 
  • Water, electricity, energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, yield and net revenue.
  • ZBNF provided saving of 1,400 to 3,500 cubic metres of water per acre per paddy cropping period. If all of India's paddy area is brought under ZBNF, 150-400 billion cubic metre of water can potentially be saved.
  • Electricity consumption of farms relying on groundwater reduced by 1,500-3,900 units per acre and saved Rs 6,000-16,000.
  • ZBNF hindered microbial activity and cut methane emissions by 88%.
  • Study did not observe much impact on crop yield.
  • ZBNF is a method of chemical-free agriculture drawing from traditional Indian practices. It was originally promoted by Maharashtrian agriculturist Subhash Palekar. ZBNF was introduced in Union Budget 2019-20.
  • ZBNF is based on 4 pillars.
     

Benefits of ZBNF: 

  • Requires very less amount of water and electricity than what is required under chemical farming, 
  • To reduces farming costs by using in-situ resources, 
  • To manage soil nutrition, fertility, pests and seeds.

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Courtesy: PIB