Padma shri Subhash Palekar an Indian agriculturist who practiced and has written many books about ZBNF (Zero Budget Natural Farming).Subhash Palekar was born in 1949 in a small village Belora in the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra in India, and he has an agricultural background. He practised Zero Budget Natural Farming without using chemical fertilizers or pesticides to cultivate. He was awarded India’s fourth highest civilian award the Padmashri in 2016.
Zero Budget Natural Farming, as the name implies, is a method of farming where the cost of growing and harvesting plants is zero. This means that farmers need not purchase fertilizers and pesticides in order to ensure the healthy growth of crops. Shocked by the harmful effects of chemical farming, Palekar began the hunt for less-destructive alternatives. Thus began the journey of Zero Budget Natural Farming in India.
Four – Wheels of SPNF
According to Palekar there are four artefacts followed in natural farming to enhance farm income in harmony with nature by adopting low-cost climate resilient Subhash Palekar Natural Farming System
- Beejamrutham – Microbial seed coating with cow dung and urine-based formulations (Culture of micro-organisms & hormones).
- Jeevamrutham – Enhance soil microbiome through an ‘inoculum’ of cow dung, cow urine and other ingredients.
- Achhadana – Ground to be kept covered with a layer of crop residues as mulch to the soil surface in order to prevent water evaporation and to contribute to soil humus formation.
- Waaphasa – Fast buildup of soil humus through ZBNF leading to soil aeration mixed with water vapors through a favorable microclimate in the soil.
In SPNF, insect-pests and diseases are managed through the use of various kashayams (decoctions) made with cow dung, cow urine, and plant extracts. The cow urine and dung used in the preparations of natural inputs are to be only from indigenous cows.
Salient Features of SPNF
- In this system of farming, no monetary investment on the part of farmer is required for purchase of seeds, fertilizers and plant protection chemicals from the market.
- The farmer can produce his own seed or he may use seeds that are available with other farmers. More importantly, there is absolutely no place for fertilizers and plant protection chemicals in this scheme of farming.
- Dependence on hired labour is also reduced to the bare minimum as the system discourages intercultural operations. The whole philosophy behind this system is to make the farmer self-reliant so that he is freed from the clutches of money lenders and market dispensed high-cost inputs.
Books:
- The Philosophy of Spiritual Farming? (Part 1)
- The Principles of Spiritual Farming (Part 2)
- The Symbiosis of Spiritual Farming (Part 3)
- The Techniques of Spiritual Farming (Part 4)
- Five Layer Palekar Models (Part I) – Mango, Amla, Custard apple, Drumstick, Sapota, Orange,Mosambi, Kinno, Lemon, Malta, Guava, Pomegranate
- Five Layer Palekar Models (Part II) – Coconut, Areca nut, Black Pepper, Coffee, Cocoa, Vanilla,Rubber, Pine apple, Oil Palm, Cashew nut
- Is Organic Farming a conspiracy?
- Is Chemical Farming a conspiracy?
- Vegetable crops in Zero Budget Spiritual Farming10) Spices Plantation in Zero Budget Spiritual Farming