Preface

I. Introduction
II. Concept of Natural Farming
III. Principles of Natural Fanning
IV. Sustainability Principles
V. Integrated Nutrient Management
A. Nitrogen fixing plants,
B. Intercropping,
C. Green manuring
D. Mulching
E. Organic manuring
F. Vermiculture
VI. Preventive Crop Protection
VII. Eco-friendly Plants
VIII. Integrated Farming Systems
IX. Conclusion

Preface

This is well thought that the destruction of the environment through modem agriculture and industries can no longer be prevented. Nature can provide what people need, not what people want. It is thought that gradually people will again start seeking peace and happiness in cultivating a small family farm, self sustaining as far as possible and practising intensive, natural mixed sustainable farming.. This booklet is prepared in the direction to promote natural farming.
Dr. K. T. Chandy, Agricultural & Environmental Education

I. Introduction

The agriculture which suitable to natural environment is said to be natural or ecological farming. In other words, all the agricultural practices must be environmentally feasible.

Environmentalists, agriculturists and conservationists all over the world have been expressing their serious concern about the hazardous effects of modern agriculture, which relies heavily on the chemical fertilizers and the plant protection chemicals. They favour an environmentally sound and sustainable method of food production and the ecological agriculture which is strictly in tune with the principles of nature.

Modern agricultural techniques employing fertilizers and chemical pesticides often result in the loss of environmental quality from water pollution, soil erosion, pesticide residues and pests develops resistance to chemical control measures. Diverse forms of alternative agriculture have emerged with the aim of reducing the input costs, preserving natural resources and protecting human health.

II. Concept of Natural Farming

Natural farming requires no machines no chemicals and very little weeding. In other words natural farming is an attempt to develop a method of farming which could help to reverse the degenerative momentum of modern agriculture. The soil is not ploughed and even the use of compost is not recommended. Hence, this method of farming can be said to be "do nothing" method of farming. Natural farming is based on the notion that we cannot isolate one aspect of life from another. Natural farming is gentle and easy and indicates a return to the source of farming.

In the natural farming method, crops have to grow themselves and do not have to be grown. Everything should be left to its natural course. Over the years, this system is claimed to be the most simple, efficient and up-to-date method.

III. Principles of Natural Farming

The following steps must be followed to make the farming in a natural way.

1. No cultivation

No cultivation, that is, no plough or turning of the soil as the earth cultivates itself naturally through penetration of plant roots and by the activities of the micro-organisms, small animals and earthworms. Thus, non-cultivation is fundamental to natural farming. However, absolute no tillage may be impossible if we want to sow the seeds into the soil. Here what is meant by no cultivation is that stirring of the soil by plough or harrow may be minimum.

2. No chemical fertilizers

No chemical fertilizers should be used as the soil left to itself maintains its fertility in accordance with the orderly cycle of plant and animal life as in forests. On the other hand, their careless farming practices drain the soil of essential nutrients and the result is constant depletion of the land.


3. No tillage

No weeding is done by tillage or herbicides. Weeds play their part in building soil fertility and in balancing the biological community. As a fundamental principle weeds should be controlled and not eliminated. Straw mulch, a ground cover of white clover interplanted with crops and temporary flooding provide effective weed control.

4. No dependence on chemicals

Nature if left alone, will be in perfect balance and there is no need to depend on chemicals. Cultivation of white clover, incorporation of straw and addition of poultry manure provide adequate fertilizer to strengthen the plants. But as a result of gradual interference by some un-natural practices like ploughing, fertilizer application etc. diseases and insects have become a great problem in agriculture. Harmful insects and plant diseases are always present in nature but below the threshold level. Any imbalance in nature increases their incidence and people start using chemicals for their control. In natural farming, emphasis is given on natural control methods by using botanical pesticides i.e. extracts from different plants can be used for pest control.

These principles represent a complete reversal of the approach and philosophy behind modem agricultural techniques. In particular, the "no ploughing" recommendation is likely to shock most people, as the ploughing is regarded as the basic and foremost practice to be done before sowing of any crop.

IV. Sustainability Principles

The main purpose of farming is to add ecological sustainability and acquit in agricultural development. According to Swaminathan M.S, the most basic principles of sustainability include land, water, energy, nutrient supply, pest management, post-harvest systems and systems approach.