A grassroots movement transforming agriculture through ecological principles, economic empowerment, and biodiversity conservation
In the heart of Andhra Pradesh, a remarkable agricultural transformation is underway. Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF), a grassroots movement started by Indian agriculturist Subhash Palekar in the mid-1990s, has evolved into the largest agroecological transition globally, with potential to address some of the most pressing challenges in modern agriculture 1 3 .
Farmers practicing ZBNF in Andhra Pradesh
Higher economic profit compared to conventional farming
Reduction in water and electricity usage
Indian farmers in debt due to conventional methods
What began as an alternative to debt-driven chemical farming has become a comprehensive reimagining of humanity's relationship with the land, offering a potential path to reconcile the often-competing goals of food security, farmer prosperity, and environmental sustainability.
ZBNF promises a way out of this crisis—not through technological complexity, but by working in harmony with natural processes.
At its core, ZBNF represents a radical departure from both conventional chemical farming and certified organic methods. The "Zero Budget" concept refers to the goal of eliminating production costs through avoiding purchased inputs, while "Natural Farming" emphasizes working with ecological processes rather than against them 3 6 .
| Practice | Composition | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Bijamrita | Cow dung, cow urine, water, lime | Seed treatment to protect against soil-borne diseases 3 |
| Jiwamrita | Cow dung, cow urine, jaggery, pulse flour, soil | Microbial culture to enrich soil biology and nutrient availability 3 |
| Acchadana | Crop residues, organic matter, cover crops | Mulching to conserve moisture, suppress weeds, and build soil organic matter 3 |
| Whapahasa | Minimal irrigation, soil aeration practices | Maintaining ideal soil moisture-air balance for plant roots 3 |
Unlike organic farming, ZBNF emphasizes exclusively using locally available materials . One local cow's output can fertilize up to 30 acres 5 .
The system incorporates botanical extracts for pest management and emphasizes crop diversification through intercropping and polycultures 5 .
The scientific controversy surrounding ZBNF stems from its central claim that crops can thrive without external nutrient inputs. Conventional agronomy holds that harvested crops remove nutrients that must be replaced, typically through fertilizers. ZBNF challenges this paradigm by asserting that healthy soil ecosystems can "unlock" sufficient nutrients from existing soil reserves and the atmosphere 5 .
A 2020 analysis suggested that if ZBNF were relying solely on nutrient mining from soil organic matter, it could lead to catastrophic soil degradation within 20 years 4 .
The study calculated that ZBNF might supply only 52-80% of the nitrogen typically applied as fertilizer in conventional systems 4 .
ZBNF proponents point to a different nutrient cycling model where enhanced microbial activity helps plants access nutrients already present in soil and atmosphere 5 .
The emphasis on diverse root systems and constant soil cover may enhance nutrient cycling in ways not captured by conventional nutrient budgeting 3 .
Until recently, evidence for ZBNF's effectiveness consisted mainly of farmer testimonials. This changed with a comprehensive 2025 study that conducted the first system-wide evaluation of the ZBNF program's impacts using robust scientific methods 1 .
Scientists designed a careful comparative study across northern Andhra Pradesh, selecting:
Researchers matched ZBNF and conventional sites based on similar environmental and socioeconomic conditions, eliminating potential confounding factors 1 .
| Parameter | ZBNF Performance | Conventional Farming | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crop Yield | No significant difference (+1.5%) | Baseline | Yield maintained despite no chemical inputs 1 |
| Economic Profit | 123.6% higher | Baseline | Major income gain due to reduced input costs 1 |
| Bird Species Density | Increased | Baseline | Especially species providing pest control & seed dispersal 1 |
| Input Costs | 50-60% less water and electricity | Higher consumption | Reduced resource use 3 |
| Methane Emissions | Significantly reduced | Higher | Through multiple aerations 3 |
The study found that the trade-offs between agricultural productivity and biodiversity—typically pronounced in conventional systems—were substantially reduced in ZBNF landscapes 1 . This suggests ZBNF might offer a pathway to reconcile production and conservation goals.
Beyond scientific studies, the most compelling evidence for ZBNF's potential comes from its remarkable scaling across Andhra Pradesh. The Community-Managed Natural Farming (APCNF) program has reached over a million farmers 2 .
Farmers continuously experiment with and refine practices, documenting results shared through community networks.
Pre-Monsoon Dry Sowing (PMDS) creates a "third season" between traditional planting times, increasing productivity 2 .
Women's self-help groups form the backbone of the APCNF network, noting improved family health and climate resilience 2 .
| Preparation | Ingredients | Application Method | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jiwamrita | Fresh cow dung, cow urine, jaggery, pulse flour, soil | Soil application as microbial culture | Initially regularly, reduced once soil health improves 5 |
| Beejamrita | Cow dung, cow urine, water, lime | Seed treatment before planting | For every planting cycle 4 |
| Natural Pesticides | Neem leaves, chilies, garlic, tobacco, buttermilk | Foliar spray when pest pressure detected | As needed 5 |
"During severe flooding that destroyed neighbors' crops, my ZBNF fields recovered to produce a decent harvest, attributing this resilience to improved soil structure and deeper root systems."
Despite its promising results, ZBNF faces significant challenges and unanswered questions.
The transition period from conventional methods can be difficult for farmers, requiring new knowledge and potentially facing initial yield dips during the adjustment phase .
There are concerns about whether ZBNF can maintain soil fertility in the long term without any external nutrient inputs, especially in regions with already degraded soils 4 .
Research continues to better understand the mechanisms behind ZBNF's observed benefits. The Indo-German Global Academy for Agroecology Research and Learning now offers a four-year degree program for women farmers 2 .
The Indian government has incorporated ZBNF into its national agricultural policy through the Bharatiya Prakritik Krishi Paddhati (BPKP) program, providing financial support for transitioning farmers .
The story of Zero Budget Natural Farming in South India represents more than just an alternative set of agricultural practices—it's a profound reimagining of the relationship between humans and nature.
Research now confirms that ZBNF can maintain yields while boosting incomes and enhancing biodiversity.
This approach could shape farming far beyond India's borders in the critical decades to come.
"The substantially reduced trade-offs between productivity and ecology in ZBNF systems suggest we might be witnessing the emergence of a more harmonious agricultural paradigm—one that could shape farming far beyond India's borders in the critical decades to come."