Sustainable Agriculture: Organic Farming, Natural Farming, and ZBNF
TOPIC CLASSIFICATION
Subject: Economy | Topic: Agriculture - Sustainable Practices Sub-topic: Organic Farming, Natural Farming (ZBNF), PKVY, Mission Organic Value Chain Development (MOVCD) Prelims Focus: PKVY (Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana), ZBNF, APEDA organic certification, Sikkim as first organic state Mains Focus: Economic viability of organic/natural farming, environmental benefits, soil health, markets and certification challenges
EXAMINER REASONING
Sustainable agriculture is a high-return UPSC topic given its environmental, economic, and policy dimensions. Prelims tests specific schemes (PKVY, MOVCD, RKVY-Agro-Processing) and definitions. Mains questions focus on the comparative viability of organic vs conventional farming, ZBNF's role in reducing input costs, and the export potential of organic produce.
Core Concept
Sustainable agriculture refers to farming practices that meet current food needs without compromising future productivity. It emphasises ecological balance, soil health, biodiversity, and reduced chemical inputs.
Approaches to Sustainable Agriculture
| Approach | Description | Certification |
|---|---|---|
| Organic Farming | No synthetic fertilisers/pesticides; uses compost, bio-fertilisers, IPM | NPOP (APEDA), PGS-India |
| Natural Farming | Minimal external inputs; cow dung-urine based; no tilling, no weeding (ZBNF variant) | No formal certification (Participatory Guarantee System) |
| ZBNF (Zero Budget Natural Farming) | No purchased inputs (seeds, fertilisers,... |
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