Subhash Palekar’s Natural Farming: India’s Silent Green Revolution
In a time where industrial farming is pushing farmers into debt, degrading the soil, and flooding our food with harmful chemicals, Subhash Palekar’s Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) emerges as a beacon of hope — not just for India, but for the world.
🌿 What is Farming According to Subhash Palekar Ji?
Farming is a sacred act of coexisting with nature — not a profit-driven business. It’s about protecting the environment, feeding society chemical-free food, and doing it all with zero debt.
“Farming is not a business. It’s a spiritual responsibility.” – Subhash Palekar
Core Principles of ZBNF
- Zero Input Cost: No external fertilizers or pesticides.
- Desi Cow Power: One native cow can support 30 acres with her dung and urine.
- Soil is Alive: Farming without killing soil microbes via tilling or chemicals.
- Mulching: To protect, cool, and feed the soil.
- Microbial Health: Focus on Jeevamrut and Beejamrut to energize soil and seeds.
A Global Movement
Countries across the globe are now recognizing the harm of industrial agriculture. From Brazil to Kenya, farmers are moving toward agroecology. The United Nations supports this shift through its focus on agroecological transition.
Supporters of Natural Farming
- Vandana Shiva: Fighting for food sovereignty and organic farming.
- Dr. Elaine Ingham: Soil biologist promoting microbe-based farming.
- Rishi Kumar: Vanvadi Collective founder, promoting ZBNF in Maharashtra.
- Millions of farmers in AP & Karnataka: Adopting ZBNF through government schemes.
Why ZBNF Is the Only Future
| Aspect | Conventional | Organic | ZBNF |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | High input cost | Moderate cost | Near zero |
| Water Use | High, flood irrigation | Better than conventional | Minimal due to Waaphasa |
| Soil Health | Degrading | Better | Improves over time |
| Profit | Unpredictable | Higher price but high effort | Consistent with zero loans |
🧘♂️ Conclusion
Subhash Palekar’s teachings are not just farming techniques. They are a path to freedom — from debt, from chemicals, from helplessness. A farmer connected to soil, cows, and nature is not poor — he is the richest contributor to society.
The future is natural, local, and spiritual. Let’s return to our roots before the soil turns to dust.