Natural Farming Conclave: Prime Minister Narendra recently addressed the ‘Natural FarmingConclave’ through Video conferencing, in New Delhi.

Highlights:

• The conclave was organized at Surat, Gujarat, through virtual mode on July 10, 2022.
• The conclave witnessed the participation of thousands of farmers and all other stakeholders who have made the adoption of Natural farming in Surat, a success story.
• On the occasion, PM highlighted the significance of the “Natural Farming Model”.

• In his address at the conclave, PM Modi noted that in the 'Amrit Kaal' the sense of 'Sabka Prayaas' is the base for the speed of the country's development.
• He said that India has been an agriculture-based country by nature and culture. And the natural farming model that will emerge out of Surat can become a model for entire India.
• He pointed out that natural farming helps in feeding millions. It also protects people from deadly diseases, which are caused due to pesticides and chemicals.
• He spoke about the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) under which farmers are being given resources, facilities and support through PKVY and Indian Agricultural Systems programmes.
• Under this scheme, 30,000 clusters have been created in the country and lakhs of farmers are getting the benefit of this.

Background:

• PM Modi, as part of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav in March 2022, had addressed a panchayat congregation in Gujrat.
• During his address, PM had asked at least 75 farmers in each village to adopt the Natural way of farming.
• Guided by this vision of the Prime Minister, Surat District undertook a concerted and coordinated effort to sensitize and motivate different stakeholders and institutions like farmer groups, elected representatives, talathis, Agriculture Produce Marketing Committees (APMCs), Cooperatives, Banks, etc, in the district to help farmers in adoption of Natural Farming.
• Consequently, at least 75 farmers were identified in each Gram Panchayat and were motivated and trained to undertake Natural Farming.
• The farmers were trained in 90 different clusters resulting in the training of more than 41,000 farmers across the district.
• Now, PM Modi has urged to adopt this “Surat Model of Natural farming” across India.

Key Takeaways:

About Natural farming:

• Natural Farming is a chemical-free alias traditional farming method.
• This farming is done with the objective of reducing farming costs and thus it offers benefits mostly to small and marginal farmers.
• All synthetic chemical inputs are to be eliminated in favour of "on-farm biomass recycling."
• It focuses mostly on plant-based preparations that use cow dung and urine, biomass mulching, and similar techniques.

About Bharatiya Prakritik Krishi Paddhati Programme (BPKP):

• In India, Natural farming is promoted as Bharatiya Prakritik Krishi Paddhati Programme (BPKP) under the centrally sponsored scheme- Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY).
• BPKP is aimed at promoting traditional indigenous practices which reduces externally purchased inputs.
• It is largely based on on-farm biomass recycling with major stress on biomass mulching, use of on-farm cow dung-urine formulations; periodic soil aeration and exclusion of all synthetic chemical inputs.
• According to HLPE Report, natural farming will reduce dependency on purchased inputs and will help to ease smallholder farmers from credits burden.
• The BPKP programme has been adopted in State of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and Kerala.
• Several studies have reported the effectiveness of natural farming- BPKP in terms of increase in production, sustainability, saving of water use, improvement in soil health and farmland ecosystem.
• It is considered a cost-effective farming practice with scope for raising employment and rural development.