The Solan district of Himachal Pradesh state lies in two agro-climatic zones: Sub-tropical, sub-mountain, low Hills; and sub-temperate, sub-humid, mid hills.
Known for off-season vegetable production, the district’s farmers rely heavily on hybrid seeds, synthetic fertilisers and pesticides to maximise returns per unit area. However, these practices increase production costs, degrade soil health and harm the environment, challenges compounded by climate change-induced weather variability.
A transition to natural farming offers a sustainable solution. This low-input, climate-resilient approach emphasises the use of locally-sourced, cost-effective inputs while eliminating artificial fertilisers and pesticides. Natural farming not only reduces costs for farmers but also enhances soil carbon sequestration, helping mitigate climate change.
Additionally, its water-conserving practices promote sustainable water management, while reducing carbon dioxide emissions across the agricultural value chain. By prioritising ecological balance, natural farming ensures long-term environmental preservation and supports the resilience of agricultural systems in the face of climate challenges.
Natural farming is founded on the principle that nature operates best with minimal human intervention and excessive interference disrupts the delicate balance of ecosystems. This approach enhances soil structure and fertility through practices like applying jeevamrit (a cow dung & urine-based natural fertiliser), mulching, crop rotations and incorporating nitrogen-fixing crops that enrich the soil with atmospheric nitrogen.
Natural farming also fosters biodiversity by employing natural pest control methods instead of synthetic pesticides. Additionally, it promotes nutrient recycling through the effective use of crop residues, creating a self-sustaining and ecologically harmonious farming system.
Natural farming emphasises adhering to its four foundational pillars —beejamrit, jeevamrit / ghanjeevamrit, aachhadan and whapsa — along with its core principles of minimum tillage, no chemical fertilisers, no pesticides or herbicides or the use of indigenous seeds.
By embracing this system, farmers can reduce dependency on high-input, resource-intensive chemical farming, potentially revitalising rural economies and minimising credit risks.
This eco-friendly approach supports international initiatives to meet the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) by 2030 and aids in achieving the Global Nutrition Targets 2025 by ensuring everyone has access to safe, affordable and nutritious food.
In Himachal Pradesh, the promotion of natural farming began in 2018-19 with the launch of the Pradhan Mantri Kushhal Kisan Yojna (PK3Y) by the Government of Himachal Pradesh.
In Solan, the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), under the guidance of YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry in Nauni and with financial support from ICAR-ATARI in Ludhiana, plays a crucial role in promoting natural farming. Through the dedicated efforts of KVK Solan and Agricultural Technology Management Agency, around 12,000 farmers in the district have embraced natural farming, covering 1,936 hectares. This collaborative initiative is driving sustainable agricultural practices and enhancing farmers' livelihoods.
Emphasising the principle of “Seeing is Believing”, KVK Solan has established several successful demonstration models on its farm to showcase the effectiveness of the natural farming system in various horticultural crops. These demonstrations have shown significant improvements in soil health, including enhanced soil parameters and an increase in beneficial soil microbes.
Additionally, they have led to a marked reduction in soil-borne diseases and insect-pest problems. The models also demonstrated higher crop equivalent yields, attributed to additional income from intercropping practices.
These tangible outcomes have inspired many farmers in the district to adopt natural farming practices after witnessing its benefits firsthand.
Initially, farmers were hesitant to adopt natural farming due to skepticism about achieving adequate yields without using fertilisers or pesticides. However, those who took the risk and embraced this technology have now become role models, inspiring many others to follow their lead.
Mandeep Verma is one such innovative progressive farmer and owner of Swaastik farms at village Shilli. The farm has paved the path on the concept of 'responsible growing', “without causing any harm to the nature with the natural cultivation practices”.
Here, land once abandoned is now a well-established orchard with 600 kiwi plants, 1,200 apple plants (on M-9 rootstock) and a nursery producing thousands of kiwi fruit, apple and plum plants for sale.
He is earning a net profit of Rs 20-22 lakh per annum with these enterprises.
"Natural farming has transformed my life completely," said Shailender Sharma, a progressive farmer from Dyarag Bukhar village. Previously, he practiced conventional farming (chemical farming), relying heavily on pesticide sprays to manage disease and pest issues in his polyhouses, which led to severe skin allergies.
Adopting natural farming has not only reduced his production costs but also improved soil health, fruit quality and the shelf life of his produce. Most importantly, it has alleviated his skin allergies.
Currently, he cultivates vegetables, including coloured capsicums, tomatoes and cucumbers, in 10 polyhouses covering 3,150 square metres and his annual income has increased to Rs 10.58 lakh.
The quality of his produce is exceptional and his coloured capsicums have even received praise from Prime Minister Narendra Modi during an exhibition in Mandi, Himachal Pradesh in December 2021.
Natural farming provides a sustainable alternative to conventional agriculture by reducing reliance on costly inputs like fertilisers and pesticides. It enhances soil health, biodiversity and mitigates climate change.
Supported by KVK Solan and PK3Y, the natural farming has improved livelihoods and environmental sustainability, revitalising agriculture and fostering resilient communities.
Arti Shukla is senior scientist (plant pathology), Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Solan, Himachal Pradesh. Anurag Sharma is scientist (entomology) Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Solan, Himachal Pradesh. Meera Devi is scientist (soil science) Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Solan, Himachal Pradesh. Amit Vikram is principal scientist & Head, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Solan, Himachal Pradesh. Inder Dev is director of Extension Education, Dr YS Parmar, University of Horticulture & Forestry, Nauni. Himachal Pradesh. Rajeshwar Singh Chandel is vice chancellor, Dr YS Parmar, University of Horticulture & Forestry, Nauni, Solan- 17230, Himachal Pradesh.
Views expressed are the author’s own and don’t necessarily reflect those of Down To Earth.