Thinking of Natural Farming? What Should Farmers Check Before Switching?

Natural farming is getting more attention across India. Farmers, scientists and agricultural institutions are discussing ways to reduce dependence on purchased chemical inputs while improving soil health and farm resilience.

But changing a farming system is not as simple as stopping fertilisers and pesticides. A farmer has to consider the crop, soil, water availability, local climate, pests, markets and the availability of suitable natural inputs.

A national conference on natural farming held in Meghalaya in September 2026 brought together farmers, researchers, policymakers and agricultural institutions to discuss these challenges. The conference called for scientific validation, farmer training and location-specific approaches.

What does natural farming mean?

Natural farming is based on reducing dependence on externally purchased synthetic inputs and using locally available biological and natural resources. It can include farm-made inputs, crop diversity, livestock integration and practices aimed at maintaining soil health.

The National Mission on Natural Farming defines natural farming as a chemical-free farming system that includes livestock-integrated methods and diversified cropping systems rooted in traditional knowledge.

It is also different from simply replacing one purchased product with another. The broader approach looks at the farm as a system involving soil, plants, animals, water and other parts of the ecosystem.

That means there is no single recipe that will work identically on every farm. Crop, soil and local conditions matter.

Farmers should not make a sudden change based only on a general claim that natural farming will reduce costs or increase yields. A better approach is to understand the recommended practices for the particular crop and region. Farmers can start by consulting a KVK, agricultural university or trained natural farming resource person.

ICAR has been studying natural farming since 2020–21 through its All India Network Programme on Natural Farming. The programme covers multiple cropping systems across several states to evaluate practices and develop suitable packages for natural farming.

This research is important because farmers need evidence from conditions similar to their own fields.

A gradual approach can also allow farmers to compare production, input costs and crop performance rather than relying only on expectations.

What should farmers check in the soil?

Before changing a farming system, farmers should understand their soil.

A soil test can show pH and nutrient status and help identify problems that may affect crop growth. Soil moisture and organic matter also matter when farmers plan changes in crop management.

Natural farming does not mean that soil fertility problems disappear automatically. Farmers still need to manage nutrients properly and ensure that crops receive what they require.

ICAR’s natural farming programme is studying soil fertility and cropping systems alongside natural farming practices. The aim is to develop practices that are suitable for particular farming conditions rather than assuming that one method works everywhere.

Reducing synthetic pesticide use requires farmers to pay closer attention to pest monitoring. Natural farming systems can use biological and botanical approaches for crop protection, but farmers still need to identify the pest correctly and understand when intervention is required.

The recent National Conference on Natural Farming included eco-friendly plant protection among its major themes. Researchers and practitioners discussed ways to strengthen plant protection while reducing dependence on chemical inputs.

Farmers should therefore not wait until serious crop damage occurs. Regular field inspection can help identify problems early.

If a pest or disease reaches a level that threatens the crop, farmers should follow locally recommended management advice rather than assuming that every problem can be solved with a single natural input.

Can livestock become part of the system?

Livestock can play an important role in some natural farming systems.

The National Mission on Natural Farming promotes livestock-integrated farming models. Farm animals can provide manure and other resources that may be used in farm-made inputs, while crop residues can form part of an integrated farm system.

But livestock integration also has costs. Farmers need adequate feed, housing, labour and animal care.

A farmer should therefore consider whether livestock already fit the farm’s resources and income needs. Adding animals only to follow a farming model may not make economic sense.

The larger idea is to connect different parts of the farm where they can support each other.

Farmers considering natural farming can begin by learning the recommended practices for their area. KVKs and agricultural universities can provide training and guidance.

Under the National Mission on Natural Farming, 527 KVKs, 76 agricultural universities and 194 local natural farming institutions have been identified to support farmers. More than 33,000 Krishi Sakhis and community resource persons had also been trained under the mission as of July 2026.

Farmers can also keep records of crop yield, input expenses, labour costs and income before and after changing practices. These records can answer a more useful question than simply asking whether natural farming is good or bad: Does a particular natural farming practice work economically and agronomically on this farm?

What about certification and selling the produce?

Marketing is another issue farmers should consider before changing their production system. If farmers want to sell produce as certified natural farming produce, they need to understand the applicable certification system and requirements. The Natural Farming Certification System was introduced in 2025–26 as PGS-INDIA NATURAL. Under the National Mission on Natural Farming, certification support is provided at ₹2,100 per hectare for two years.

Certification does not automatically guarantee a higher selling price. Farmers still need buyers who recognise the product and are willing to pay for it. This makes market planning important from the beginning rather than after the crop has already been produced.

Start with evidence, not promises

Natural farming is expanding, but farmers do not need to choose between traditional knowledge and scientific research.

The current national effort is itself focused on bringing the two together. The September 2026 natural farming conference highlighted scientific validation, education, capacity building and location-specific practices as important requirements for wider adoption.

For a farmer considering the change, the first step can be simple: test the soil, understand the local recommendations, learn the practices, calculate the costs and start with a manageable area.

Natural farming may work differently across different farms. What matters is whether the method fits the farmer’s soil, crops, resources and market.

The goal should not be to change farming methods overnight. It should be to find practices that maintain soil health, manage crop risks and make economic sense for the farmer over time.