Pilot study on Zero Budget Natural Farming initiated at 4 locations : Tomar

Speed Post News Network

New Delhi  : The Government has been promoting organic farming under the dedicated scheme of Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) which encourages all kinds of chemical free farming systems including Zero budget Natural Farming. The budget allocation for PKVY for 2019-20 is Rs 325 crores.

Indian Council of Agriculture Research through ICAR-Indian Institute of Farming Systems Research has initiated a study on Evaluation of Zero Budget Natural Farming practices in Basmati/ coarse rice-wheat system from Rabi Season 2017 at 4 locations namely Modipuram, Pantnagar, Ludhiana, Kurukshetra .

National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS) had also organised a brainstorming season on Zero Budget Natural Farming in August, 2019. The Government has been implementing several schemes aiming at meeting the target of doubling of farmer’s income by 2022.

The major schemes include: National Food Security Mission – for improved production and productivity of food grains and oilseeds; Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture(MIDH)- to enhance production and productivity of horticultural crops; Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana and Mission organic Value Chain Development for North East Region –to reduce cost of cultivation and ensure chemical free quality products that can fetch premium prices to farmers; Soil health Cards- Aims at promotion of judicious use of fertilisers through soil test based recommendations there by reducing excess use of fertilisers ; PMKSY-PDMC (Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana-Per Drop More Crop)- to promote water conservation and reduction in use of inputs through drip and sprinkler irrigation; Bamboo Mission and Agro forestry, and e-NAM – for transparent competitive markets for improved remuneration to the farmers.

This information was given in a written reply by the Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Narendra Singh Tomar in Lok Sabha on November 19, 2019, according to a PIB release.