Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF)
- ZBNF is set of natural farming methods where cost of growing and harvesting plants is zero.
- It is a farming practice that believes in natural growth of crops without adding any fertilizers and pesticides or any other foreign elements.
- It is different from organic farming.
- The word Zero Budget refers to zero net cost of production of all crops.
- This means that farmers need not purchase fertilizers and pesticides in order to ensure the healthy growth of crops.
- The inputs used for seed treatments and other inoculations are locally available in form of cow dung and cow urine.
- It requires almost no monetary investment and envisages use of ‘Jeevamrutha’ and ‘Beejamrutha’.
- The main aim of ZBNF is eliminate use of chemical pesticides and uses biological pesticides and promote of good agronomic practices.
- Farmers use earthworms, cow dung, urine, plants, human excreta and such biological fertilizers for crop protection.
- It lowers cost of inputs of farmers and gives better capacity to increase the incomes.
- It also protects soil from degradation and helps in retaining soil fertility and is climate change resilient.
- Why in news? Himachal Pradesh Government has launched Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) project to promote organic farming and boost farmer’s income.