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Time of India
7 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Sowing Sustainability: Cotton, culture and the quiet return of natural farming
In the sprawling cotton fields of Vidarbha and the Deccan plateau, where generations have battled erratic rains and relentless market prices, a quieter transformation is underway. It doesn't involve high-yielding GM seeds or agri-drones. Instead, it begins with a cow, a clay pot, and a question: What if the land didn't need fixing, just listening to? This is the promise of Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF)—a grassroots farming method that revives ancient Indian agricultural practices, rooted in low cost, chemical-free cultivation. Championed by Subhash Palekar, ZBNF leans on four pillars: Jeevamrutha, Beejamrutha, mulching, and soil aeration. No synthetic fertilisers, no borrowed money, and no illusions about short-term yield miracles. Cotton, traditionally a water-hungry, pesticide-heavy crop, has found an unlikely new rhythm under ZBNF. ' We don't spray death anymore,' says a farmer. 'We brew life ." The shift is cautious, but real—input costs have fallen, soil health has improved, and farmers report a return of earthworms and birds, long lost to chemical warfare. It's not just a farmers' movement. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Memperdagangkan CFD Emas dengan salah satu spread terendah? IC Markets Mendaftar Undo Across the country, a broader alignment is quietly emerging—one where value-based businesses are now investing in value-driven farming. Patanjali, for instance, has extended its Ayurvedic and swadeshi ethos into agricultural sourcing. While best known for toothpaste and ghee, the company has, over the years, built procurement networks that prefer organically grown herbs and cotton. It has encouraged clusters of farmers to transition to natural methods—not as a CSR checkbox, but as part of its supply chain philosophy. A senior buyer associated with the Patanjali ecosystem put it simply: ' When your final product claims purity, the raw material cannot come from poi soned land .' Acharya Balkrishna, in Patanjali Organic Kranti, highlights the transformative impact of Patanjali's holistic farming methods on a cotton farmer's three-acre land. He notes that the farmer experienced a 20–25% increase in cotton production while reducing input costs by nearly 50%, as the need for chemical fertilizers and pesticides was eliminated. The return of earthworms and the reduction in insect attacks indicated improved soil health and ecological balance. Moreover, the farmer's organic cotton attracted premium buyers, enhancing his income. Acharya emphasizes that beyond productivity gains, this approach restores the soil's loamy texture, improves moisture retention, reduces water usage, and fosters biodiversity, thereby creating a sustainable and rewarding farming system that benefits both the environment and the farmer's well-being." The company's textile ambitions, too—slowly expanding under the radar—appear aligned with this thinking. Cotton that's been grown without chemicals, processed without synthetic dyes, and woven by traditional units fits into a larger narrative of Bharatiya resurgence: not anti-modern, just differently modern. In fact the modern buyer is now consciously looking for wearable products that are 'clean' and eco-friendly. According to fashion influencer Piyusha Sharma , " With increasing awareness about how clothes are being produced using chemical cultivation methods, most buyers like me are making a conscious shift toward wearing only natural fabrics that are grown through traditional and organic methods. It's my way of supporting sustainable practices and choosing what's better for both the planet and my body." For farmers too, it is a shift that is changing the way they are looking at agriculture, " With Zero Budget Natural Farming, I no longer depend on expensive chemical inputs. The soil is alive again, my crops are healthier, and I've reduced my costs to almost nothing. It's farming the way nature intended" says Ramesh Kumar, farm owner from Kurnool. Of course, ZBNF isn't a silver bullet. The transition is tough. Yields dip initially, the labour is intensive, and support systems are still catching up. But as soil fertility returns and dependency on credit diminishes, what grows is not just cotton—but dignity. In a country where farm crisis headlines often drown hope, stories like these feel almost old-fashioned. And yet, they are quietly rewriting the future—one acre, one cow dung ferment, one ethically-sourced kurta at a time. One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
Mint
13-05-2025
- Business
- Mint
Natural farming is booming—now it may finally get a certification
NEW DELHI : In a bid to boost consumer trust and farmer incomes, the central government is likely to introduce a nationwide Natural Farming Certification System (NFCS), modelled on the existing organic certification mechanism, a senior agriculture ministry official told Mint. The certification is significant for the 18 lakh farmers practicing natural farming across 7.8 lakh hectares in the country, as it will enable them to command premium prices for their chemical and synthetic fertilizer-free products, leading to better and more stable incomes. "We are planning to introduce NFCS across the country soon. It would be non-binding and voluntary for producers," said the official cited above, without giving a specific timeline. Also read: Mint Primer | Natural farming: Ambitious plan, but will it work? State and union territory boards on organic and natural farming may act as certifying agencies. Natural farming is gaining traction in Punjab, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Mizoram, Telangana, and Kerala, with various farmer-led movements and state governments supporting its adoption. The NFCS will be implemented under the existing Participatory Guarantee System (PGS-India)—which also certifies organic produce—but with separate standards tailored for natural farming. Launched in 2011, PGS-India is a localised quality assurance approach that helps small farmers access certification without the high costs of third-party options. "The certification benefits farmers through market access and fair pricing, while giving consumers confidence in the quality and safety of what they buy," said another government official requesting anonymity. The certification system is likely to promote accountability and create a formal structure for natural farming. This can influence policies, attract government support, and boost consumer awareness. Queries sent to Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare spokesperson remained unanswered. Also read: India targets ₹20,000 crore in organic produce exports by 2028 Farming experts weigh in 'What started with just a few crops is now expanding to almost all major crops," said Umendra Dutt, executive director of Kheti Virasat Mission, which promotes natural and organic farming. Consumers are increasingly drawn to natural farming due to the potential for more nutritious, chemical-free food, and reduced health risks. However, its limited availability and higher prices currently restrict access for middle-class consumers. "Whatever, we are eating these days is acidic, which is not good for the body. Natural farming avoids synthetic chemicals, resulting in food with potentially higher nutritional value and less risk of long-term health issues, so it's the need of the hour," said Subhash Palekar, Padma Shri awardee and a leading voice in the natural farming movement. Organic farming uses natural inputs like compost and manure, while natural farming avoids all external inputs—including organic fertilizers—relying solely on natural ecological processes. The move comes in the backdrop of organic farm products being sold at a premium to consumers. In November 2024, the Union Cabinet approved the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) as a standalone centrally sponsored scheme with an outlay of ₹2,481 crore for FY 2025-26. The aim is to promote chemical-free farming, reduce farmers' input costs, and offer safe, nutritious food. Also read: How is betting big on tech to bridge Indian farming's trust deficit
