South India Natural Farming Summit 2025 & Natural Farming
Context:
The Prime Minister inaugurated the South India Natural Farming Summit 2025 in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.
He urged farmers to adopt the One Acre, One Season practice to test the efficacy of these methods
He also envisioned India as a global hub for natural farming.
About Natural Farming:
It is a chemical-free agricultural method that relies on natural inputs,
It avoids synthetic fertilizers and pesticides.
It is an indigenous concept rooted in Indian traditions
It focuses on restoring soil health and making farming systems self-sustainable.
Key Features:
Bio-inputs:
It uses locally prepared inputs like Beejamrit (seed treatment) and Jeevamrit (fermented microbial culture) to enhance soil biology.
Mulching:
It covers soil with crop residues to conserve moisture and add organic carbon.
Intercropping:
It also grows complementary crops together to reduce pest incidence and improve resilience.
Minimal Tillage:
It reduces soil disturbance to preserve microbial networks.
Natural Farming vs. Organic Farming:
Criteria
Natural Farming
Organic Farming
Definition / Philosophy
Based on Fukuoka’s “Do Nothing Farming”; works with nature; minimal intervention.
A holistic, regulated system aiming to sustain soil, ecosystems, and people.
Nature of System
Less formalized; traditional-agroecology-based; eco-centric.
Structured, scientific, and globally recognized farming system.
Use of Inputs
No external inputs—neither chemicals nor organic fertilizers. Uses on-farm inputs like Jeevamrit, Beejamrit, mulching.
Allows external organic inputs—compost, vermicompost, manure, biofertilizers. Synthetic chemicals & GMOs prohibited.
Soil Management
No ploughing, no tilling; relies on natural soil processes and undisturbed soil ecology.
Planned operations such as crop rotation, tillage, adding manures to enhance soil fertility.
Pest & Weed Control
Relies on biodiversity and ecological balance; uses botanical extracts; no external pesticides.
Allows certified organic pesticides/herbicides; uses crop rotation, resistant varieties, and biological controls.
Certification / Regulation
No certification required; informal and decentralized
Requires certification under NPOP / PGS-India. Uses “India Organic” quality mark.
Cost of Cultivation
Extremely low cost—no external inputs; integrates local biodiversity.
Higher cost due to certification, labor, and purchasing organic inputs.