GUNTUR: At a time when the farming sector is in crisis and the farmer is burdened with low yields and rise in investments, the Andhra Pradesh government has begun promoting natural farming.
With the aim to encourage zero-budget natural farming (ZBNF), the dedicated wing of the State agriculture department has been imparting training to farmers in Guntur district.
About 26,000 farmers showed interest in taking up zero-budget natural farming after natural farming proponent Subhash Palekar imparted training to about 8,000 tenant farmers during the eight-day programme in December last year. He led the training programmes holding classes on soils, mulching practices and use of natural nutrients to enrich the soil.
About 7,500 farmers took part in a programme on zero-budget natural farming in January last year. However, only 3,725 ryots and 992 farmland owners completely took up ZBNF.
As many as 11,832 farmers cultivating their 13,500 acres of lands by taking up ZBNF partially. Fearing reduction in their crop yield, many farmers are hesitating to adopt ZBNF techniques. The farmers are also relying on pesticides and fertilisers to raise crops.
ZBNF wing assistant director V Vanisree said the main aim of ZBNF is to ensure food security, adequate remuneration to producers and ecological sustainability.
She said many farmers were practising natural farming but use pesticides to prevent the crops from being destroyed by insects. She advised the farmers not to depend on fertilisers and pesticides and instead use cow dung and urine.
R Srinivasa Reddy, a chilli farmer from Adigoppala village in Durgi mandal, said he is cultivating his three-acre land by taking up natural farming, on the advice of agriculture department officials. He was expecting the reduction in his crop investment by `10,000 per acre.
T Koteswara Rao from Suddapalli village of Vejendla mandal said that he was happy over receiving good yield after embracing natural farming techniques.
Benefits of ZBNF
Input costs are near zero as no fertilisers and pesticides are used.
Model ZBNF farms were able to withstand drought and flooding, which are big concerns with regard to climate change.
As a result of these changes, there is reduced use of water and electricity, improved the health of farmers, flourishing of local ecosystems and no toxic chemical residues in the environment.