General Information:

Natural farming is an ecological approach develop by MASANOBU FUKUOKA Japanese farmer. The title refers to avoidance of manufactured inputs and equipment. Natural farming philosophy is working with nature to produce healthy food, to keep ourselves healthy, and to keep the land healthy. Natural farming is the science of working with nature to achieve much more with less. After green revolution 70 % soil are dead by excess use of agro-chemicals, herbicide and machines. Government consistently focused ecologically and economically farming by using of local available resource in farm, which it a sustainable and viable practice. But biggest challenges is gap between the technology and farmers. Therefore, Kantaben Kashiram Institute of agricultural sciences and research established a model farm of natural farming (demonstration plot of green gram). Demonstration help to students and farmers, learn through real observation and students will able to do natural farming in their farm.

Objectives:

1. Learning objective
   1. To demonstrate how natural farming methods can be utilized in urban areas where land degradation is pick.
   2. To provide way to educating the students in manner that integrated all aspects of the curriculum (syllabus, governments polices & modern farming) and help students to acquire skill such as project management and team work.
   3. Students would learn research skills of practical crop production and different farming system of India.
   4. To improve the health of students by increasing the dietary intake of pulses
   5. To create demonstration project for the students, farmers community and other as means of education.
2. Research objective
   1. To study soil biology and nutrient status
   2. To study grain quality
   3. Economics

Materials and Methods:

1. Treatment details:

• Seed treatment : Bijamrit
• Ghan Jivamrit 250 kg/ha + FYM 250 kg/ha + Jivamrit with irrigation at sowing & then after at monthly interval
• Achhadan: weed mulch
• Plant protection: Agniastra, Brahmastraand Neemastra, if required

4. Experimental details:

3. Operations (The cultural operations carried out)

Expected outcome:

1. Leaning outcome
   1. Basic skills, knowledge and new idea of natural farming developed among students and their parents and nearby farmer’s community.
   2. Sustainable farming methods and skills integrated into the curriculum for students, parents and farmers leaning.
   3. Students, Institute & farmers community is more aware to benefit of the project (Natural faming) by dissemination of information and experiences gleaned by the students and farmers.
   4. Research on Natural farming and write fact sheets to explain farming practices in local language that is accessible to farmers and farm advocates.
2. Research outcome
   1. Produce natural food, build good soil structure & fertility and Increase genetic diversity.
   2. NF practice will improve yield, Increased farmers income, minimized cost of cultivation, eliminates chemicals, environment conservation & rejuvenates soil health and sustainability.

Expertise

1. Dr. Naresh Chaudhari (PI) - Assistant Professor (Agronomy) - GUNI-KKIASR
2. Dr. Maitrik Joshi (Co-PI) - Assistant Professor (Agronomy) – GUNI-KKIASR

Crop Damage assessment

95% crop was damage by Nilgai and monkey during the month of Aug & Sept.