First crop of natural farming shows encouraging results

Ambika Sharma

Tribune News Service

Solan, March 10

The experimental farm setup in the Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, for zero budget natural farming (ZBNF) has shown encouraging results.

The first crop of peas, which was harvested has recorded a production of 5 quintals per acre. Scientists from the Directorate of Research involved in this framing expect to reap three such harvests.

Acharya Devvrat, Governor-cum- Chancellor of the university, had directed the university scientists to undertake this natural pattern of farming where nothing was secured from outside the farm.

The research team had planted two varieties of peas at the farm. The first variety was P-89 while the second variety, Azad-P1 was planted 15 days later. Both varieties have coriander as a border crop, which will also be ready for sale by the end of the week.

Seeds were treated with Bijamrit and irrigated and Jivamrit was spayed after every 15 days of germination. The scientists are now evaluating the performance of the two varieties under this model.

The harvested crop will be sold to residents and its quality will be assessed. Apart from peas, the university has also planted cauliflower, onion and fenugreek under the ZBNF model and these will be ready for harvest by the month end.

Various departments of the university, including entomology, plant pathology, soil sciences, plant pathology, vegetables, veterinary sciences are undertaking research-based studies under this farming model informed Dr Rajeshwar Chandel, Director Research, who was also the coordinator of the ZBNF project.

As many as four indigenous bred cows have been brought from Haryana as per the concept of zero budget natural farming, where all requirements of agriculture like manure, pesticides, irrigation, etc., have to be met from within the farm.

Students of MSc and PhD have been directed to undertake comparative analysis of the organic and conventional systems of farming with the zero budget natural farming. Crucial factors like incidence of pests in farming, the nutrition status of plants in various types of farming were among the key issues of focus.

Successful packages of practices for various crops will be introduced by the university to the agrarian community to popularise its use.

Two varieties of peas planted

The research team had planted two varieties of peas at the farm. The first variety was P-89 while the second variety, Azad-P1 was planted 15 days later. Both varieties have coriander as a border crop, which will also be ready for sale by the end of the week. 

Four indigenous bred cows at farm

As many as four indigenous bred cows have been brought from Haryana as per the concept of zero budget natural farming, where all requirements of agriculture like manure, pesticides, irrigation, etc., have to be met from within the farm.