Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) is a technique for chemical-free agriculture that is based on traditions from ancient India. The ZBNF method starts from zero, with no production costs, and completely eliminates the use of synthetic chemicals like fertilizers and pesticides. Smallholder farmers cannot adopt organic farming since it requires expensive certification procedures and significant quantities of FYM/organic fertilizers. It promotes multiple cropping, year-round soil cover, and the use of a mixture comprised of cow dung and urines to activate the soil system's microorganisms. It has been found that ZBNF decreases the cost of production and increases the farm income. ZBNF also faces the severe criticism like, it will create negative impact on farmer’s income as well as food security. It is necessary to move away from chemical farming, but appropriate research must be conducted to evaluate its productivity, quality, and impact on soil nutrition. This review paper will give insight about the practices under ZBNF, government initiatives to promote ZBNF, the effect of ZBNF on crop yields and criticism about ZBNF.

Zero Budget Natural Farming, Cost of production, Farm income, Ecology

ZBNF reduces the cost of cultivation but it adversely affects the crop yield when compared with conventional farming. There need to be crop specific, location specific package of practices to improve soil health. Scientific validation need to be drawn with the help of research institutions / State Agricultural Universities. Premium price should be given to ZBNF products. Certification of Natural Farming should be created. Adopting diversified cropping system provides year round income. Government needs to take enough steps to familiarize Zero Budget Natural Farming.

Mohammed Ghouse L., Karthikeyan C. and Padma S.R. (2025). Zero Budget Natural Farming – Boon or Bane to Farmers. International Journal on Emerging Technologies, 16(1): 41–44.