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COMPENDIUM, IEEC-2023   ( ISBN : 978-81-967860-4-5 )
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Theme-3: Bio-diversity and Resource Conservation, Livelihood and Food Security towards Sustainable Agri-food Systems

Natural Farming - Empowering Farmers to drive economic growth

Sunita N. Chauhan

Krishi Vigyan Kendra , ICAR-CICR , Post Bag No 2, Shankar Nagar, Nagpur
soyentp@rediffmail.com

Abstract

Natural farming (NF) is an innovative, environmental friendly and most potential crop cultivation method growing crops without chemicals which drastically cuts down production cost by reducing dependence on the market for the purchase of critical inputs. Krishi Vigyan Kendra, ICAR-CICR, Nagpur has empowered 916 practicing farmers and farm female by conducting 37 On Campus result demonstrations on NF under Home Science discipline on different vegetables , flower crops since 2017 to 2022 . In order to better understand the practice followed in NF for cultivation of vegetables, flowers the study was undertaken in .4ha for NF and chemical farming in KVK, ICAR-CICR Nagpur along with objective of cost saving and income gain. The results of present investigation revealed that vegetable crop such as turmeric, onion, cabbage, cauliflower, marigold flowers are grown under NF on raised bed and crop residue mulch is shown significant reduction in cost of cultivation by 68 percent and fetches more price by 44%, 18%, 16%,21% and 24% respectively as compared to chemically grown vegetables. Using low cost situ bio-stimulant Bijamritham, Jeevamrutha, Ghanjivamrutha and Neemastra, Agniastra, Brahmastra & Dashparni applied foliar or in soil by drip or drenching increases the microbial activity of the soil, helps in rejuvenating the soil. This showed excellent growth, good yield, pleasant fresh color, residue free vegetable and good curd formation of cole crops. Thus natural farming look as definitely increases farmer’s income leads to economic growth through cost reduction and having long term sustainability too.

IEEC-2023 at RARI (SKNAU, Jobner), Jaipur, Rajasthan organised by Society of Extension Education, Agra, India