Natural Farming is a chemical-free alias traditional farming method. It is considered as agroecology based diversified farming system which integrates crops, trees and livestock with functional biodiversity. In India, Natural farming is promoted as Bharatiya Prakritik Krishi Paddhati Programme (BPKP) under centrally sponsored scheme- Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY). BPKP is aimed at promoting traditional indigenous practices which reduces externally purchased inputs. It is largely based on on-farm biomass recycling with major stress on biomass mulching, use of on-farm cow dung-urine formulations; periodic soil aeration and exclusion of all synthetic chemical inputsThe BPKP programme has been adopted in States of Andhra Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Kerala, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu and Jharkhand. Several studies have reported the effectiveness of natural farming- BPKP in terms of increase in production, sustainability, saving of water use, improvement in soil health and farmland ecosystem. It is considered as a cost- effective farming practices with scope for raising employment and rural development.
Considering the importance of Natural Farming MANAGE has been designated as the Nodal Organization and Knowledge Repository BPKP by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, GoI, in continuation to the address of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narender Modi Ji on the importance of Natural Farming at the National summit on zero-budget natural farming in Gujarat on 16th December 2021. In view of this, MANAGE is entrusted to organize consultative meetings, capacity building programmes and development of Master Trainers at National, State and District levels on Natural Farming, collect community managed best practices, success stories and scientifically proven technologies and practices