Role of Organic and Natural Farming in Regenerative Agriculture

Abstract

Regenerative agriculture aims to restore soil health, enhance biodiversity, and ensure long-term sustainability of farming systems. Organic and natural farming practices play a pivotal role in achieving these goals by reducing dependency on chemical inputs, improving soil fertility, and promoting ecological balance. Natural farming, a regenerative agriculture is advocated and promoted worldwide to produce safe and quality produce and to live in harmony with nature. It is “Chemical free farming” or “do-nothing farming” is a sustainable farming approach that aims to work with nature instead of trying to change it. Natural farming, exemplified by Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF), goes even further by minimizing external inputs altogether. It relies on indigenous methods like Jeevamrith and Beejamruth to nurture soil health and control pests naturally. The challenges in modern agriculture, including persistent hunger and malnutrition despite significant increases in production due to the Green Revolution. There are several negative impacts of chemical-based agriculture on soil health, environmental health and human health, particularly in countries like India with a large agricultural population. To address these issues, many are turning to alternative farming methods, such as organic and natural farming. Organic farming, rooted in traditional practices, aims to preserve soil health and produce food sustainably.This paper discusses the interconnection between organic and natural farming with regenerative agriculture, focusing on their impact on soil health, biodiversity, and sustainability. The research explores the benefits, challenges, and future prospects of integrating these systems to enhance agricultural resilience and productivity in a sustainable manner

Introduction

Modern agriculture has increased global food production, but it has also caused severe environmental problems such as soil degradation, biodiversity loss, and climate change. Despite progress since the Green Revolution (1960–2015), hunger and malnutrition remain widespread, and current agricultural methods are not sufficient to eliminate hunger by 2030. Heavy reliance on chemicals has reduced soil fertility, increased production costs, and harmed ecosystems. With only 16% of India’s land suitable for cultivation, improving crop productivity through sustainable methods is crucial.

Regenerative agriculture offers a promising solution by restoring soil health, boosting biodiversity, and enhancing resilience to climate variability. At its core are organic and natural farming systems, which work with nature rather than against it.

Organic Farming

Organic farming avoids synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and GMOs. It focuses on soil health, ecological balance, and biodiversity. Key methods include:

• Crop rotation

• Intercropping

• Cover cropping

• Green manuring

• Composting

• Organic manures

• Mulching

• Biofertilizers

These practices improve soil fertility, reduce pollution, and enhance long-term land productivity.

Natural Farming

Natural farming relies entirely on natural processes without external chemical or organic inputs. Popularized by Subhash Palekar (Zero Budget Natural Farming—ZBNF), it promotes self-sufficiency using cow-based inputs.

Four Pillars of Natural Farming:

1. Jeevamrutha – A fermented microbial solution to enhance soil fertility.

2. Beejamrutha – A seed treatment to protect seeds from pests and diseases.

3. Acchadana (Mulching) – Conserves moisture and improves soil nutrients.

4. Whapasa – Maintaining soil with a 50:50 ratio of air and water vapor for better root health.

Natural pest management uses herbal-based "astras" like Neemastra, Brahmastra, Agniastra, and Dashparni to control various pests without chemicals.

Policy Support in India

Several government initiatives promote natural farming:

• Gujarat schemes: Cow maintenance subsidy and Jeevamrutha kit support.

• Himachal Pradesh’s Prakritik Kheti Khushhal Kisan Yojana: Financial help for cow purchase, shed lining, and natural input preparation.

• Rajasthan’s pilot project: Large-scale promotion across 15 districts.

• National Mission on Natural Farming: A nationwide initiative to scale chemical-free farming.

Results & Discussion

Organic and natural farming contribute significantly to regenerative agriculture by:

• Improving soil fertility and microbial activity

• Reducing pollution and greenhouse gases

• Enhancing soil carbon sequestration

• Lowering farmers' dependence on external inputs

• Increasing resilience to climate stress

ZBNF in India has shown positive results in improving yields, reducing costs, and enhancing soil quality.

Challenges

Despite benefits, challenges remain:

• Initial yield reduction during transition

• Need for training and farmer awareness

• Certification difficulties

• Limited organic input availability

• Policies still favor chemical-based agriculture

Conclusion

Organic and natural farming form the foundation of regenerative agriculture by promoting ecological harmony, improving soil health, and ensuring long-term sustainability. These practices have proven potential to transform modern agriculture into a climate-resilient and environmentally sound system. For successful implementation, government policies, research institutions, and farmers must collaborate to strengthen support systems, provide training, and develop markets for organic produce. The future of agriculture depends on adopting regenerative principles that align productivity with environmental stewardship.

References

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Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Borigorla Ramanjaneyulu. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.