Context:
Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare (MoA&FW) launched the training of Krishi Sakhis for the promotion of Natural Farming.
About Krishi Sakhis initiative:
- Krishi Sakhis – They are practicing farmers and trained para-extension professionals in agriculture at the grassroots level.
- They encourage the adoption of environmentally friendly and economically viable agricultural methods by raising awareness.
- Aim – To train and certify 50,000 Krishi Sakhis in a phased manner by the National Centre for Organic and Natural Farming (NCONF).
- NCONF – a subordinate office of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare.
- Training under Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana- National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY–NRLM).
DAY-NRLM is a poverty alleviation program of Ministry of Rural Development that enables poor households in rural areas to access gainful self-employment and skilled-wage employment opportunities.
Natural farming:
- A chemical-free farming system with an understanding of ecology, resource recycling, and on-farm resource optimization.
- It relies on –
- Adoption of diversified multi-cropping systems.
- Desi cow based on-farm inputs for nutrient and soil enrichment.
- Various botanical concoctions for plant protection.
- It aims at restoring soil health, maintaining diversity, ensuring animal welfare, stressing on efficient use of natural/local resources, and promoting ecological fairness.
- Originally introduced by – Agriculturist Subhash Palekar
- Promotes low-cost inputs such as the use of Cow dung, aged cow urine, jaggery, pulse flour and other plant-based extracts.
- 4 Pillars –
- Bijamrit – It is the microbial coating of seeds with formulations of cow urine and cow dung.
- Jivamrit – It is the enhancement of soil microbes using a mixture of cow dung, cow urine and jaggery.
- Acchadana (Mulching) – It is the covering soil with crops or crops residue.
- Waaphasa – It is the building up of soil humus to increase soil aeration.
- Insect and pest management methods – Agniastra, Brahmastra and Neemastra.
Source: PIB
Previous Year Question
The “Miyawaki method” is well known for the:
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2022 Prelims]
(a) Promotion of commercial farming in arid and semi-arid areas
(b) Development of gardens using genetically modified flora
(c) Creation of mini forests in urban areas
(d) Harvesting wind energy on coastal areas and on sea surfaces
Answer: (c)
