• Bhartiya Prakritik Krishi Padhati (BPKP), is introduced as a sub scheme of Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) since 2020-21 for the promotion of traditional indigenous practices including natural farming.

    • The scheme mainly emphasises on exclusion of all synthetic chemical inputs and promotes on-farm biomass recycling with major stress on biomass mulching; use of cow dung-urine formulations; plant based preparations and time to time working of soil for aeration.

    • Under BPKP, financial assistance of Rs 12200/ha for 3 years is provided for cluster formation, capacity building and continuous handholding by trained personnel, certification and residue analysis.

    • Until now, under natural farming an area of 4.09 lakh ha area has been covered and a total fund of Rs. 4587.17 lakh has been released in 8 States across the country including the State of Tamil Nadu.

About Natural Farming

    • Natural Farming is a chemical-free alias traditional farming method.

    • In India, Natural farming is promoted as Bharatiya Prakritik Krishi Paddhati Programme (BPKP) under centrally sponsored scheme- Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY).

    • BPKP is aimed at promoting traditional indigenous practices which reduces externally purchased inputs.

    • It is largely based on on-farm biomass recycling with major stress on biomass mulching, use of on-farm cow dung-urine formulations; periodic soil aeration and exclusion of all synthetic chemical inputs.

    • According to HLPE Report, natural farming will reduce dependency on purchased inputs and will help to ease smallholder farmers from credits burden.

    • The BPKP programme has been adopted in State of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and Kerala.

    • Several studies have reported the effectiveness of natural farming- BPKP in terms of increase in production, sustainability, saving of water use, improvement in soil health and farmland ecosystem.

    • It is considered as a cost- effective farming practices with scope for raising employment and rural development.

    • It is roughly estimated that around 2.5 million farmers in India are already practicing regenerative agriculture.

    • In the next 5 years, it is expected to reach 20 lakh hectares- in any form of organic farming, including natural farming, of which 12 lakh hectares are under BPKP.

(The author is a trainer for Civil Services aspirants. The views expressed here are personal.)