Agriculture

About Agriculture

Agriculture is the main occupation in India, 70 per cent people live in villages and most of them depend on agriculture. Agriculture is not just a means of livelihood, but a way of living life in India. The agricultural sector is one of the major contributors to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and national income of the country. At the time of independence, the agricultural sector contributed more than 50% of India’s GDP. Currently, it contributes less than 20% of the Indian GDP. Agriculture forms around 17.5% of our total exports during the year 2021-2022 (During 2021-22, the country crossed US$ 50 billion in agriculture exports with a 19.92% increase from US$ 41.87 billion in 2020-21). The main exports are tea, cotton, textiles, tobacco, sugar, jute products, spices, rice, and more.

Agriculture in Indian villages is the principal occupation for the people, since the ancient time, as they earn their livelihoods from agriculture. There are different types of farming methods since Indian independence. Traditional farming method is one of the oldest which has unique Practices and Methodologies to save soil and its livelihood. Traditional farming is a chemical-free farming and is considered an agroecology-based diversified farming method. It is mainly based on-farm biomass recycling with major stress on biomass mulching, use of on-farm cow dung-urine formulations; periodic soil aeration and exclusion of all synthetic chemicals.

Physical and human factors play their respective roles in different types of farming in different parts of the country. Use of hybrid seeds and high yielding varieties increased after the onset of the green revolution. These seeds are of less nutritious value, causing frequent illness to human beings. Earlier, indigenous seeds were cultivated, which had a high nutritional value. This, combined with the use of fertilizers and pesticides, causes more harm to humans and also the health of the soil, leading to more usage of fertilizers and also less effectiveness of pesticides on pests. This awareness has led to the growing importance of natural farming, but it has not been done on a very large scale, so it does not have a significant impact on total production. Development of a new system in which is the traditional method and using the modern scientific technique are combined to reap the advantages of both and reduce the drawbacks.

Mission

Padma Shri Subhash Palekar is an Indian agriculturist who practices and has written many books about ZBNF (Zero Budget Natural Farming). Developed a chemical free farming method that integrates indigenous breed cows, trees, and nature. This leads to restoration of soil fertility, environmental health, and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Krushi method is considered a form of regenerative agriculture that will save the planet. More than 30 million farmers throughout India are practicing Zero Budget Natural Farming, in parts of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, Gujarat and West Bengal

What is ZBNF?

The inputs required are cow urine, cow dung, neem leaves, and other naturally available products. It imparts resilience to the crops even under extreme weather conditions, giving profitability to the farmers.

ZBNF is based on 4 pillars:

• • • Jeevamrutha(Natural liquid fertilizer): It is a mixture of fresh cow dung and aged cow urine from India’s indigenous cow breed, jaggery, pulse flour, water and soil; to be applied on farmland.
    • Bijamrita(Seed Treatment): It is a concoction of neem leaves & pulp, tobacco and green chilies prepared for insect and pesticide management, that can be used to treat seeds.
    • Acchadana(Mulching): It protects topsoil during cultivation and does not destroy it by tilling.
    • Whapasa: It is the condition where there are both air molecules and water molecules present in the soil, thereby helping in reducing irrigation requirements.

Vision

Our aim is to help farmers, encouraging farmers to adopt Subhash Palekar Krushi farming method. Maa Palle Trust is creating Farmer knowledge center adopting various methods to protect and keep in single platform, organizing live workshops, conducting training programmes and tracking scientific data for further evaluation. We are working along with other organisations and many people involved/volunteering in these programs. Currently, Maa Palle spread this model in and around Nizamabad district. Our farmers who are practicing Traditional farming method successfully completed the cycle and supplied to Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD).

We believe in natural practices; we are practicing Krushi environment-friendly farming method, and we are promoting, encouraging and giving training to the farmers. Creating a sustainable right path for the welfare of farmers and the society who consume the same. Let us all take a step forward in educating the processes involved in this Subhash Palekar Krushi farming method. Maa Palle is open to joining hands to take this forward. Volunteers are welcome.