A roadmap for India’s natural farming ambitions

In her budget speech, india’s Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman reaffirmed the Centre’s commitment to natural, chemical-free, organic and zero-budget farming. It is the third time in the last four budget speeches where (zero budget) natural farming finds a mention.

While the FM talked of promoting natural or chemical-free farming across the country, especially in a corridor in the Gangetic basin, no specific allocations have been made to the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. In fact, currently-operational schemes such as the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana and the National Project on Organic Farming did not find any mention in the budget. However, we hope that the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana, which has received a 4.2-times (year-on-year) larger allocation of Rs 10,433 crore, will earmark some funds for the on-ground implementation of chemical-free farming. As the ministry plans the fund utilisation under RKVY, here are eight suggestions to scale up chemical-free farming.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman

First, focus on promoting natural farming in rainfed areas beyond the Gangetic basin. Home to half of India’s farmers, rainfed regions use only a third of the fertilisers per hectarecompared to the areas where irrigation is prevalent. The shift to chemical-free farming will be easier in these regions. Also, the farmers stand to gain as the current crop yields in these areas are low. While researching ways to scale-up natural farming in Rajasthan, we found higher interest among farmers, especially from tribal communities, who practise rainfed agriculture.

Second, enable automatic enrolment of farmers transitioning to chemical-free farming into the government’s crop insurance scheme, PM Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY). Any transition in agriculture — crop diversification, change in farming practices — adds to the farmer’s risk. Covering such risks could enhance the appetite of the farmers to embark on the transition.

Third, promote microenterprises that produce inputs for chemical-free agriculture. An often-cited barrier by farmers in transitioning to chemical-free agriculture is the lack of readily available natural inputs. Not every farmer has the time, patience, or labour to develop their own inputs. To address this challenge, combine the promotion of natural farming with the setting up of village-level input preparation and sales shops. Two shops per village across the country could provide a livelihood to at least five million youth and women.

Fourth, leverage NGOs and champion farmers who have been promoting and practising sustainable agriculture across the country.

CEEW research estimates that at least five million farmers are already practising some form of sustainable agriculture and hundreds of NGOs are involved in promoting them.

Learning from peers, especially champion farmers, through on-field demonstrations has proved highly effective in scaling up chemical-free agriculture in Andhra Pradesh.

Fifth, beyond evolving the curriculum in agricultural universities, upskill the agriculture extension workers on sustainable agriculture practices.

Sixth, leverage community institutions for awareness generation, inspiration, and social support. In other words, the government should facilitate an ecosystem in which farmers learn from and support each other while making the transition. Seventh, support monitoring and impact studies.

Such assessments would ensure an informed approach to scaling up sustainable agriculture. Finally, dovetail the ambition on millet promotion with the aim to promote sustainable agriculture. Instead of the two remaining in silos, why not promote chemical-free millets and create awareness about both?

(www. indianexpress.com)