Budget Proposals for 2024-25

Context:

In her Budget proposals for 2024-25, the Union Finance Minister announced that in the next two years, one crore farmers across the country will be initiated into natural farming, supported by certification and branding.

Relevance:

GS III: Agriculture

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Union Budget 2024-25 Announcements on Natural Farming
2. What is Natural, Organic, and Zero-Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF)?
3. Government Initiatives to Promote Natural Farming
4. Challenges and Concerns
5. Way Forward

Union Budget 2024-25 Announcements on Natural Farming

Key Announcements:

• Farmer Initiation: Over the next two years, one crore farmers will be initiated into natural farming, supported by certification and branding.
• Implementation: This will be executed through scientific institutions and willing gram panchayats, with the establishment of 10,000 bio-input resource centers.
• Shift in Focus: The emphasis will shift from area coverage to the number of farmers, addressing the issue of 30-40% of farmers reverting to chemical farming after receiving full incentives under the Bharatiya Prakritik Krishi Paddhati (BPKP).

What is Natural, Organic, and Zero-Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF)?

• Natural Farming:
  • Focuses on using bio inputs from local ecosystems rather than purchased inputs.
  • ZBNF, popularized by Subash Palekar, uses mixtures like cow urine, dung, jaggery, lime, and neem to enhance soil health, reduce input costs, and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.
• Organic Farming:
  • Defined by product certification and the absence of chemical fertilizers/pesticides.
  • Emphasizes organic inputs but may not necessarily align with the local ecosystem approach of natural farming.

Government Initiatives to Promote Natural Farming

• Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY):
  • Launched in 2015 as part of the National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA).
  • Supports and promotes organic farming to improve soil health.
• Bharatiya Prakritik Krishi Paddhati (BPKP)/ZBNF:
  • A sub-scheme of PKVY with a ₹4,645.69 crore outlay for six years (2019-20 to 2024-25).
  • Provides financial assistance (₹12,200/ha for 3 years) for cluster formation, capacity building, certification, and residue analysis.
  • Aims to cover 12 lakh ha in 600 blocks of 2000 hectares.
• National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF):
  • Prepares to launch a mission to promote chemical-free farming.
  • Success requires a shift in farmer behavior from chemical to natural inputs.

Challenges and Concerns

• Sustainability and Yield:
  • Andhra Pradesh shows promising results in adopting ZBNF, but concerns remain about sustainability and yield.
  • ICAR-IIFSR findings show a 59% decline in wheat yields and a 32% decline in basmati rice yields with natural farming compared to integrated crop management.
• Large-Scale Transition:
  • Meeting the expanding food needs of India poses a challenge.
  • A complete shift to natural farming could impact food security, as demonstrated by Sri Lanka’s experience after banning chemical fertilizers, leading to reduced crop yields and increased food prices.

Way Forward

• Yield Trials: Conduct extensive yield trials to address concerns about the potential risk to national food security.
  • Use natural farming for supplementary foodstuffs rather than staple crops like wheat and rice.
• Gradual Transition: Implement natural farming on a smaller scale initially, with a focus on supplementary crops.
  • Assess the model’s success before broader application to ensure it meets the food security needs of a large population.
• Support Systems: Strengthen support systems, including training, certification, and resource centers, to facilitate a smooth transition for farmers.

-Source: The Hindu