Lok Sabha Question No. 3172 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-22
Subject: Shift towards Zero Budget Natural Farming
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Thalikkottai Rajuthevar Baalu

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3172

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 22 nd  MARCH, 2022

## SHIFT TOWARDS ZERO BUDGET NATURAL FARMING

3172: SHRI  T.R BAALU:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंी be pleased to state:

(a)   whether the Government is aware that the shift towards  Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF)  could  help  in  substantially  lower  input  costs  and  increase  yields  and  quality  of produce along with long  term restoration of soil health; and

- (b) if  so, the measures taken/being taken by the Government to motivate farmers to adopt ZBNF  which is a transition away from chemical-based inputs?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंी (SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)

- (a)  to (b): Evidences from implementation of Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) from various parts of the country indicates that shift towards ZBNF helps in substantially lowering the cost. Being a chemical free system based on natural nutrient cycling, it ensures safe food and soil health restoration.

Government  is  promoting  Natural  Farming  through  Bhartiya  Prakritik  Krishi  Padhati (BPKP) introduced during 2020-21 as a sub scheme of Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) for the promotion of traditional indigenous practices including Natural Farming. The scheme mainly emphasises on exclusion of all synthetic chemical inputs and promotes onfarm  biomass  recycling  with  major  stress  on  biomass  mulching,  use  of  cow  dung-urine formulations  and  other  plant-based  preparations.  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. 4980.99 lakh has been released to 8 States across the country. The State -wise details of funds released and area under BPKP is given at Annexure - I.

Annexure- I The State -wise details of funds released and area covered under Bhartiya Prakritik

## Krishi Padhthi (BPKP)

| Sl. No.   | States           | Released date   |   Area in Ha |   Amount released (Rs in lakh) |
|-----------|------------------|-----------------|--------------|--------------------------------|
| 1.        | Andhra Pradesh   | 30.09.20        |       100000 |                         750    |
| 2.        | Chhattisgarh     | 09.12.20        |        85000 |                        1352.52 |
| 3.        | Kerala           | 30.09.20        |        84000 |                        1336.6  |
| 4.        | Himachal Pradesh | 24.12.20        |        12000 |                         286.42 |
| 5         | Jharkhand        | 02.12.20        |         3400 |                          54.1  |
| 6.        | Odisha           | 02.02.21        |        24000 |                         381.89 |
| 7.        | Madhya Pradesh   | 16.02.21        |        99000 |                         787.64 |
| 8.        | Tamil Nadu       | 16.02.21        |         2000 |                          31.82 |
| Total     | Total            |                 |       409400 |                        4980.99 |

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