ZBNF (Zero Budget Natural Farming)

PROBLEM

Resource intensive chemical farming has resulted in losses, high debts, soil degradation, pollution of waterways, encroachment of forest land, biodiversity loss, and water scarcity in due course of time.

SOLUTION

Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) is a holistic alternative agriculture method that combines the twin goals of global food security and conservation of the environment. ZBNF principles are in sync with the principles of Agro-ecology and are aiming to achieve welfare of farmers` and consumers while striving for a larger social good.

ZBNF is pioneered by a Padma Sree Awardee called Mr. Subhash Palekar who believes in the cultivation of crops naturally without using Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), chemical fertilizers, and synthetic pesticides. This grassroots level peasant movement emphasizes on climate resilient farming methods that help farmers to reduce the cost of cultivation to zero. Hence, farmers have a better capacity to gain increased income. Locally available inputs like cow dung, cow urine, a number of plants-based extracts play a key role in ZBNF methodology.