Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) is a sustainable agricultural practice pioneered by agriculturist Subhash Palekar, emphasising natural growth processes without synthetic fertilisers or pesticides.
Instead of expensive hybrid seeds and external inputs, the method leverages locally available resources such as native seeds, cow dung, cow urine, and plant extracts found on the farm. This makes input costs negligible while enhancing soil health and crop yield. The key practices include the usage of fertilisers such as Jeevamrita and Beejamrita.
We have curated insights shared by farmers who made their farms profitable by turning to natural farming. Here are detailed processes for making various cow dung-based fertilisers and natural pest control methods.
1. Beejamrita
Beejamrita is a formulation of cow dung, urine, and chuna (lime). It is used to treat seeds before sowing to enhance germination and protect against soil-borne diseases.
Steps:
1. Mix a small quantity of cow dung and urine.
2. Add a pinch of lime and blend well.
3. Coat seeds with the mixture before sowing.
2. Jeevamrita
For the past six years, Jaswinder Kaur and Ranjit Singh from Himachal have been using zero-budget natural farming to cultivate over 25 kinds of crops. They suggest fertilising the soil with Jeevamrita after seed germination, which takes about 15 days. This process increases microbial activity and nutrient availability post-germination.
Steps:
1. Take five kilograms of cow dung and seven litres of urine.
2. Mix them in a 200-litre large drum.
3. Add 1.5 kg each of jaggery and chickpea flour to the mixture.
4. Fill the drum to the brim with water and stir well.
5. Take 40 litres of Jeevamrita to fertilise one bigha of land.
3. Brahmastra
This natural insecticide controls pests and enhances plant resistance.
Steps:
1. Take one kilogram of leaves from four different plants, including neem leaves.
2. Crush the leaves and mix them with four litres each of cow urine and dung.
3. Boil the mixture, allow it to cool, and strain it into a storage tank.
4. Spray it on crops 48 hours after preparation.
5. You can store this mixture for up to six months.
4. Agnihastra
If insects persist, farmers advise using Agnihastra. It is prepared using spicy green chillies, peppers, and garlic. “It is sure to control pest attacks,” says Ranjit.
Steps:
1. Crush the chillies, peppers, and garlic to extract their juices.
2. Combine the extract with cow urine (adjust the proportions as needed).
3. Apply the mixture to affected plants for effective pest control.
5. Curd-based fungicide
Uttar Pradesh-based Dheeraj Verma, who grows strawberries, prepares a unique fungicide using curd.
Steps:
1. Add 50 grams of copper wire or a copper lota (spherical vessel) to one litre of curd.
2. Let the mixture sit for at least 15 days until it turns completely blue.
3. Take two millilitres of this mixture and dilute it in one litre of water.
4. Spray the diluted mixture on crops once a week throughout the season.
“As strawberries are heavily attacked by pests and fungi, farmers are often forced to spray chemical pesticides. However, I was able to cut chemical inputs with this fungicide. It tackles fungi attack and gives a good yield,” says Dheeraj.
By utilising cow dung, cow urine, and locally available plant materials, farmers can create a closed-loop system that nourishes the soil and naturally protects crops. Adopting these methods not only reduces dependence on chemical inputs but also promotes ecological balance and ensures long-term agricultural sustainability.
Happy natural farming!
Edited by Khushi Arora
