Synthetic nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilizers (e.g., ammonia) are being used extensively without regard for soil health and the carbon/nitrogen/water cycle. Today, we are at the crossroads of extreme climate change, dead zones, and health pandemics, compelling us to rethink our agriculture practices and methods. Commonly used methods of increasing crop yield, such as mechanization and agrichemicals, are damaging biodiversity and degrading ecosystem services, creating food security concerns and reducing food productivity. Hence, there is a strong interest in agroecological approaches that increase yield by improving ecosystem services, both to meet sustainability goals and to enhance crop productivity.
Zero-budget natural farming (ZBNF) can tackle and mitigate these concerns. Also known as Subhash Palekar’s ZBNF method, this cost-effective, sustainable agricultural technique uses local resources. This blog will cover how agriculture is moving towards age-old natural farming globally and why it is the most sustainable and conducive choice for agribusinesses.
Key Takeaways:
- ZBNF is a zero-cost farming approach that revitalizes agriculture by relying exclusively on on-farm resources like cow dung, cow urine, and crop residue. Farmers avoid buying external inputs, which helps prevent debt.
- Four pillars of Indian ZBNF: Jeevamrutha, Beejamrutha, Acchadana, and Whapasa rebuild soil health naturally, without chemicals.
- India is scaling ZBNF through a government mission worth ₹2,481 crore. The National Mission on Natural Farming targets 1 crore farmers and 7.5 lakh hectares. Over 1.8 million farmers have already joined.
- Farmers practicing natural farming earn significantly higher profits than conventional farmers, with no loss in crop yields and greater biodiversity on their land.
Global Chemical Fertilizers Market vs. Organic Fertilizers
The global chemical fertilizer market for 2023 is valued at $196.96 billion and is projected to reach $241.87 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 3.48228%, according to Statista data.
Figure 2: Global Chemical Fertilizer Market in 2020, 2023, with a Forecast for 2030
According to Statista, the worldwide market value of organic fertilizers in 2023 is estimated at $11.72 billion and is projected to reach $22.38 billion by 2030, with a CAGR of 10.43%. Organic fertilizers and natural farming practices will be in high demand.
Zero Budget Natural Farming: Complete Details
In Australia, organic farming began in the 1980s with Bob Williams and Alex de Podolinski, and the state of Sikkim in India is 100% organic. Fundamentals of zero-budget natural farming (ZBNF) include zero dependence on high-cost artificial farming methods, such as GM seeds, artificial fertilizers, or synthetic pesticides. The word “zero” can still be argued on the basis that when a farmer uses natural seeds, natural manure, and organic pesticides/fungicides, they are still incurring costs. Yet, it is comparatively low debt.
ZBNF and its Core Pillars
Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF), developed by Subhash Palekar in the 1990s, is an ecological farming method emphasizing minimal cultivation costs.
‘Zero budget’ signifies that farmers rely on on-farm resources, avoiding the need for external inputs. Unlike typical organic farming, which often involves purchased inputs, ZBNF strives for total financial independence.
The core of India’s ZBNF includes four foundation stones: Jiwamrita (Jiwa meaning living being and amrita meaning that which extends life), Bijamrita (Beej meaning seed and amrita meaning magical liquid), Acchadana (Mulching), and Whapasa (moisture). Jeevaamrita is the first step in preparing organic manure to provide soil nutrients, increase earthworm populations, and prevent fungal and bacterial diseases.
Bijamrita is a seed liquid that protects young seeds and their roots from fungal, soil-borne, and seed-borne diseases. Acchadana means mulching, a process of retaining soil moisture by covering the surface with straw mulch and reducing evaporation. Whapsa is an irrigation method emphasizing minimal irrigation and should be practiced at noon in alternate furrows. In this process, only organically made pesticides/fungicides are used, such as Agniastra, Brahmastra, Neemastra, Dashparni ark, Jungle kiKandi, and Saptdhanyankur ark.
Core pillars of ZBNF are:
| Pillar | Meaning | Practical Application | Benefits |
| Jeevamrutha/Jiwamrita | Fermented microbial culture | A mixture of cow dung, cow urine, jaggery, pulse flour, and soil is applied to fields twice a month to stimulate beneficial microbes. | It is a seed treatment designed to protect young roots from fungal and soil- and seed-borne diseases. |
| Bijamrita | Seed treatment formulation | A seed coating made from cow dung and urine formulations to prevent young roots from soil-borne diseases as well as fungal. | It is a catalyst that enhances the activity of soil microorganisms and increases earthworm activity. It also helps prevent |
| Acchadana | Mulching | Applying crop residues and live cover over topsoil helps retain moisture and recycle nutrients. | It provides nutrients and acts as a catalyst, promoting soil microorganism activity and increasing earthworm activity. It also helps prevent fungal and bacterial diseases. |
| Whapasa | Moisture management | The principle is that plant roots require water vapor rather than excess water. This promotes minimal irrigation, which is practiced at noon in alternate furrows. | It is a condition in which air and water molecules are present in the soil. |
The emergence of ZBNF creates opportunities for food firms and suppliers in the agribusiness ecosystem to develop bio-input value chains. Additionally, opportunities for establishing certification for natural produce and building regenerative sourcing alliances with farming clusters are also generated with ZBNF.
Acchadana in Natural Farming
Three types of mulching include:
- Soil Mulch: Protecting topsoil by avoiding deep plowing to promote water retention and aeration.
- Straw Mulch: It consists of using dried biomass waste from previous crops (plant or animal origin) to cover soil.
- Live Mulch: Growing symbiotic intercrops of monocotyledons and dicotyledons together to supply essential nutrients naturally.
ICAR research across 20 centers in 16 states has shown that Acchadana notably enhances soil organic carbon (SOC). In Himalayan trials, SOC increased from around 0.90% to 1.15% within 2–3 years of implementing natural farming methods.
Additionally, soils under natural farming exhibited significantly higher microbial counts and diversity compared to soils treated with chemicals.
Strategic Implication: Acchadana generates demand for mulching materials and for regenerative practice certification for processing and packaging companies. F&B companies can use these practices to enhance traceability in regenerative sourcing and ESG reporting.
Zero Budget Farming for Small Farmers
Most ZBNF farmers practice pure ZBNF methods, such as ZBNF natural solutions, and integrated pest management (IPM) practices, such as intercropping, sowing border crops, and using organic compost. The simultaneous growth of long and short-duration crops helps farmers reduce input costs in the short term by harvesting the shorter-duration crops first. Further, small and marginal farmers face financial constraints; hence, this agricultural method is a significant contributor to augmenting their income and preventing them from falling into a vicious cycle of debt.
Reviving Agriculture with ZBNF in 2026
On November 25, 2024, the Government of India approved the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) as a centrally sponsored scheme with a total budget of ₹2,481 crore (~$300 million).
Key points regarding recent progress and trends are:
- 18.19 lakh farmers enrolled
- 18,786 clusters formed covering 8.80 lakh hectares
- Target to cover 15,000 clusters across 7.5 lakh hectares
- 10,000 Bio-Input Resource Centers (BRCs) planned to produce and distribute Jeevamrutha, Beejamrutha, and Dashaparni
- To encourage farmers to adopt natural farming, there is a provision for an output-based incentive of ₹4,000 per acre per year for two years (up to one acre per farmer)
- Telangana aims to implement natural farming across 61,125 acres starting from the kharif season of 2026. It will be organized into 489 clusters with a budget of ₹42 crore. Farmers will be provided with free kits and essential training.
A study published in Nature Ecology & Evolution (2025), led by a University of Cambridge researcher, highlights findings from surveys of over 1,400 farmers regarding ZBNF farms:
| Metric | ZBNF Farms | Conventional Farms |
| Crop yield | Comparable (no significant reduction) | Baseline |
| Farmer profits | Around +123.6% (more than double) | Baseline |
| Bird diversity | Higher | Lower |
It is also pointed out in favor of ZBNF farms that, in rice-dominated small farms, especially in South India, it represents a beneficial solution for farmers and biodiversity.
Scientific Validation by ICAR
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has validated ZBNF through its All India Network on Natural Farming:
- Yield performance: Soybean + maize and vegetable pea + coriander recorded a mean system yield of 6,475 kg/ha/year under complete natural farming. Yield gain was 5% higher than under integrated crop management.
- Soil health: SOC rose from approximately 0.90% to 1.15% in Himalayan trials over 2–3 years.
- Farmer satisfaction: NITI Aayog evaluation found 91.2% of farmers reported that adoption improved crop productivity and soil health. Also, 90.1% reported reduced input costs and 68.5% reported improved soil health.
Strategic Opportunities for Agribusinesses
The NMNF aims to establish 10,000 Bio-Input Resource Centers, creating a structured distribution network for natural farming inputs. Suppliers who meet BRC standards can then secure long-term offtake agreements.
Certified ZBNF produce is increasingly gaining premium recognition. The Indian government is actively working on establishing a single national brand for chemical-free products. F&B companies have the opportunity to secure a first-mover advantage.
ZBNF farmers achieved profits that were 123.6% higher, even without market premiums for their produce. If a dedicated national brand for natural products were established, these premiums could potentially double. Although India’s certified natural segment is still in its early stages, it is strongly backed by government initiatives.
Bottomline
Natural farming accounts for a small share of total commercial farming, yet it is one of the most promising agricultural methods. Zero budget natural farming (ZBNF) emerged as a low-cost, sustainable method that eliminates external inputs such as chemical fertilizers, thereby improving soil fertility and biodiversity while conserving water. Despite some implementation concerns, it offers a viable way to reduce farmer debt, foster ecological sustainability, and increase agricultural output.
Zero Budget Natural Farming has transitioned from a grassroots initiative to a government-mandated national priority. With ₹2,481 crore in funding, 1.82 million farmers participating, and peer-reviewed validation verifying both profitability and yield, the supporting evidence is now substantial. Several lucrative opportunities are available for agribusiness leaders to diversify and differentiate.
As ZBNF gains priority amid declining ecosystem services, food security issues, and biodiversity loss, agribusinesses face both opportunities and challenges. Stellarix assists companies in navigating this transition seamlessly by helping them redesign supply chains, identify suitable partners, and strengthen their ESG credentials to harness opportunities presented by ZBNF and minimize associated risks.