Natural Farming Certification System (NFCS)

Context

In a bid to boost consumer trust and farmer incomes, the central government is likely to introduce a nationwide Natural Farming Certification System (NFCS).

About Natural Farming

• • Natural Farming is a chemical-free farming system rooted in Indian subculture enriched with current knowledge of ecology, aid recycling and on-farm aid optimization. 

• Key Features of Natural Farming

• • • Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF): A popular version promoted through Subhash Palekar, geared toward extensively decreasing input costs.

• Core practices:

• • Beejamrit: Natural seed remedy.
  • Jeevamrit: Soil inoculation using fermented cow dung and urine.
  • Mulching and Waaphasa: Moisture retention and aeration of soil.
  • Low input, high sustainability: Reduces dependence on market-offered inputs.

Benefits of Natural Farming

• Lower Input Costs: Natural farming requires fewer external inputs like chemical fertilizers and insecticides, that can lessen common manufacturing fees for farmers.
• Ensures better Health: As Natural Farming does not use any synthetic chemical substances, health dangers and dangers are removed.
  • The food has better nutrition density and consequently offers better health benefits.
• Environment Conservation: Natural Farming guarantees better soil biology, progressed agro-biodiversity and a more judicious usage of water with lots smaller carbon and nitrogen footprints.
• Sustainable Farming Practices: By fending off the overuse of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, natural farming promotes a greater sustainable and regenerative technique to agriculture.

Why is Certification Needed?

• Trust Building: It facilitates customers to distinguish authentic natural farm produce.
• Market Access: It permits farmers to fetch top rate charges and input area of interest markets (domestic and global).
• Standardisation: It brings uniformity to natural farming practices.
• Monitoring and Accountability: It ensures traceability and quality control.

Challenges in Scaling Natural Farming

• Initial Yield Reduction: During the transition from conventional to natural farming, many farmers reported a brief decline in crop yields.
• Limited Scientific Backing: Although natural farming is promoted as environmentally sustainable, there may be limited large-scale, long-term scientific studies validating its productivity, resilience, and scalability throughout various agro-climatic zones.
• Inadequate Institutional Support: Coordination between agriculture departments, studies bodies, and rural organisations is restricted.

National Mission on Natural Farming

• Aim: To promote natural farming amongst one-crore farmers throughout the country.
• Cluster-Based Approach: Targeting 15,000 clusters in Gram Panchayats permits for targeted implementation and better resource allocation.
• Bio-Input Resource Centers (BRCs): Establishing 10,000 BRCs will make certain easy access to important bio-inputs, making it convenient for farmers to undertake natural farming practices.
• Model Demonstration Farms: 2000 NF Model Demonstration Farms shall be mounted at Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), Agricultural Universities (AUs) and farmers’ fields.
• Certification and Market Access: A simplified certification system and devoted branding will facilitate market access for natural farming products.

Source: The Hindu

UPSC Mains Practice Question

Q. Given the vulnerability of Indian agriculture to vagaries of nature, discuss the need for crop insurance and bring out the salient features of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY). (2016)

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