Natural Farming: Eco-Friendly and Sustainable?

Abstract

Healthy soil is the foundation upon which sustainable agriculture is built. Farming practices differ mainly based on soil inputs and crop protection measures. In conventional chemical farming practice, indiscriminate use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides destroy the beneficial soil micro flora change the soil nature and also contribute to the high crop production cost. Heavy metals from the polluted soil may enter the food chain in significant amounts and show adverse health effects. The essence of natural farming is to minimize the external inputs to the farm land, and nurture the soil fertility. It was shown that enrichment of soil occurs through propagation of beneficial soil microbes. It encourages the natural symbiosis of soil micro flora and crop plants. Mulching can maximizes the moisture content in the soil, forms the cover for the earthworms and minimizes the weed propagation. This paper reviews the concepts of natural farming in the context of its eco-friendly nature and sustainability.