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(Head Office)Address : 506, 3rd EYE THREE (III), Opp. Induben Khakhrawala, Girish Cold Drink Cross Road, CG Road, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad, 380009.
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Telephone : 079-40098991
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ZBNF vs Organic Farming Vs Conventional Farming
News: Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) in Andhra Pradesh has led to significantly higher crop yield compared to organic or conventional (synthetic fertilisers and pesticides) farming, a new study of the state’s natural farming programme has found.
Background:
The southern state has been pushing 100 per cent chemical-free agriculture under the Andhra Pradesh Community Managed Natural Farming (APCNF) programme it launched in 2016.
In the last six years, it has worked with 0.63 million farmers out of a total estimated six million farmers in the state, on natural farming.
Key Findings:
Researchers from the University of Reading, the United Kingdom and Rythu Sadikara Samstha, a non-profit set up by the government in 2014 observed that when compared to the conventional treatment, yields were maintained in the case of organic farming and increased in ZBNF.
Apart from the higher yield, nutrient availability was also unaffected in ZBNF. This is a significant finding as there have been arguments that conventional treatment, which uses synthetic fertilisers, increases extractable nutrient concentrations compared to organic and ZBNF treatments.
However, the efficacy of the ZBNF treatment was context specific and varied according to district and the crop in question. The ZBNF yield benefit is likely attributed to mulching, generating a cooler soil, with a higher moisture content and a larger earthworm population.
It has been estimated earlier that if ZBNF covered 25 per cent of the total crop area in Andhra Pradesh, $70 million would be saved in fertiliser subsidies every year.
Basis | Conventional Farming | Organic Farming | ZBNF |
Chemical Usage | Extensive use of chemicals, fertilizers | It discourages use of fertilizers and pesticides but not completely prohibits. | Complete prohibition of use of any chemical or organic fertilizers. |
Soil | Relies on ploughing, tilling, and mixing of manures | Requires basic agro practices like tilling, ploughing. | Focuses on decomposition of organic matter on soil surface. |
Cost Factor | Expensive compared to others as it involves use of external inputs and machines. | Can be expensive as it involves cost of organic inputs, labor. | Can be done at zero budget as it involves use of local materials. |
Use of external sources | Relies on external source for manure, fertilizers. | Relies on external sources | Relies on locally available material. Beejamrita, Jeevamrita. |
Sustainability | Negative impact on environment, degrades soil quality | Protects soil quality and improves biodiversity. | Promotes sustainability. |
Use of Pesticides | Chemical pesticides | Natural pesticides | Natural, farm-made pesticides like Dashparni ark and Neem Astra. |
Address : 506, 3rd EYE THREE (III), Opp. Induben Khakhrawala, Girish Cold Drink Cross Road, CG Road, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad, 380009.
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