Natural Farming Principles and Practices

This book unfolds the core principles of natural farmingminimal tillage, local resource utilization, composting, biodiversity enhancement, and the conscious avoidance of synthetic chemicals. It not only delves into the scientific and philosophical foundations of this regenerative practice but also brings to life its real-world impact through inspiring case studies from India, the U.S., and Europe. From rice paddies in Kerala to fruit orchards in California, the examples underscore the adaptability and universality of natural farming techniques.

Readers will find valuable insights on soil health restoration, emphasizing soil as a living system, rich in microbial diversity and organic matter. Practices such as mulching, crop rotation, and cover cropping are presented as essential tools for achieving long-term sustainability. Furthermore, the book explores the social and economic empowerment that natural farming offershelping smallholder farmers reduce costs, regain autonomy, and nourish both the land and their communities.

Whether you are a student, an agricultural practitioner, or an environmental enthusiast, this book serves as both a practical guide and a philosophical manifesto. It invites you to reconnect with the rhythms of nature, rethink our relationship with food, and embrace farming systems that heal the Earth while feeding the future.

Rahul Dev Behera holds Ph.D degree in Soil Science & Agricultural Chemistry from the Odisha University of Agricultural Technology, Bhubaneswar, Odisha in 2021. He has currently working as SMS(Soil Science), Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Bargarh, OUAT, Odisha. He has published 22 nos of research papers in International and National journals. He published four nos of books with ten nos of book chapters. He worked with different rural farmers in Malkangiri and Bolangir District of Odisha with transferred the different new technologies to the farmers. His tested more than 2000 nos of soil samples at soil testing laboratory of KVK and distributed more than 5000 nos of Soil Health Card to the farmers. He given different skill and new technology trainings to the farmers and farmers also trained and adopted the new technologies by which they were increased their production in different enterprises. He awarded Young Scientist Award in Agriculture Science by International Multidisciplinary Research Foundation, 2017, Fellowship Award in Environmental Science by Environment & Social Welfare Socity,2017 and Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Award with medal in Soil Science by Odisha Rajya Sanskruti Surakhya Mancha, 2017. He gives different information to the farmers through Radio talk and articles through newspapers as well as through Booklet and leaflets. Now he is working on the zero budget natural farming practices as soil health was degraded day by day now due to application of huge quantity of chemicals fertilizers only by farmers in the field. He is conducted different training programmes, awareness programmes and demonstration programmes in different crops in the farmers field on Natural Farming.