Potential and Constraints of Zero Budgeted Natural Farming (ZBNF): A Study of Andhra Pradesh

This paper assesses the potential of ZBNF in addressing farm distress and in the process identifies constraints for its scaling up in the context of Andhra Pradesh (AP). The assessment is based on field visits, key informant interviews (including farmers, institutions and officials of DPMs, Agriculture Department, Scientists and NGOs), and case studies spread across 11 districts of AP. It is argued that while the environmental benefits of ZBNF are clear at the farm level its economic benefits are far from the promises made. Of the three economic benefits promised (reduced costs, increased yields and higher prices), ZBNF could meet the expectations only in the case of reduced costs. Yield rates decline during the initial years and farmers have to wait for more than three years to achieve normal yields, let alone increased yields. And there is no price advantage. As a result, net farm incomes are not encouraging even during the third year of adaptation. Substantial losses were reported during the initial years requiring lot of withstanding capacity and persuasion to continue the practices. Consequently, dis-adoption rates are high and rising. Our analysis and observations do not give any indication that ZBNF will be adopted widely or sustained in the near future. ZBNF is likely to remain as an ideal farming approach. It is suggested that residue free farming could be an ideal middle path between organic and chemical intensive farming. Residue free farming has the potential to reduce degradation without compromising on production / income and quality.