Principles and Practices of Natural Farming

Contents: Preface. 1. India's agricultural heritage. 2. Concept of natural farming. 3. Natural farming practices in different agro-ecology. 4. Characteristics and design of a natural farm. 5. Concept and evaluation of ecosystem services. 6. Integration of crops, trees, and animals: cropping system approaches. 7. Biodiversity, indigenous seed production, farm waste recycling. 8. Water conservation in agriculture. 9. Livestock management in natural farming. 10. Insect, pest, disease and weed management under natural farming. 11. Mechanisation in natural farming. 12. Processing, labelling, economic feasibility and viability, certification, and standards in natural farming. 13. Market and export opportunities for produce and products from natural farming. 14. Entrepreneurship opportunities in natural farming. 15. Success stories in natural farming and chemical-free traditional farming. 16. Package of practices for natural farming. Practical: 1. Methods of Indigenous Technology Knowledge (ITK) in natural farming. 2. Green manuring in-situ and green leaf manuring. 3. Weed management in natural farming. 4. Pest management in natural farming. 5. Disease management in natural farming. 6. Marketing of natural fresh produce and products. This book provides a scientific and systematic exposition of natural farming, grounded in the Indian heritage of ancient agricultural practices and extending to contemporary ecological frameworks. It elucidates the historical evolution, fundamental principles, objectives, and scope of natural farming, highlighting its relevance in mitigating climate change, enhancing soil health, optimizing water use, promoting carbon sequestration, conserving biodiversity, and ensuring food and nutritional security in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The text critically examines various schools and methodologies of natural farming, the design and functional characteristics of natural farms, and the integration of crops, trees, and livestock for ecological balance. Core topics include nutrient cycling, pest and disease management, ecological engineering, footprint assessments (ecological, water, carbon, nitrogen), and ecosystem service evaluation. Additionally, the book addresses certification standards, value addition, market potential, and policy interventions, supple- mented with case studies and models of successful implementation. It is intended for researchers, students, extension professionals, and policy planners engaged in sustainable agriculture.…