Modern agriculture's reliance on chemical fertilizers and pesticides has led to the degradation of soil and the environment. This paper explores Agnihotra farming, an ancient Vedic practice, as a sustainable alternative to conventional agricultural methods. Agnihotra is a fire ceremony that produces ash with potent agricultural benefits, including enhanced soil fertility, crop yield, and natural pest control. For this article "Agnihotra" "Homa" "Agriculture," and "Farming," “Sustainable” have been used as keywords to identify relevant studies. The literature search found a total of 289 articles initially. On applying inclusion-exclusion criteria and removing duplicates, 36 articles were finally selected. The screening process has been presented by PRISMA flow chart in the article. The selected studies were focused on theoretical interpretations of Agnihotra farming based on the use of Agnihotra ash as fertilizer and pesticide. The article analyzes the composition of Agnihotra ash, highlighting its high levels of essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, which contribute to improved plant growth, crop yield and quality significantly. Additionally, the practice promotes environmental sustainability by reducing chemical usage, enhancing biodiversity, and mitigating the harmful impact of modern agricultural practices. The findings suggest that Agnihotra farming offers a holistic approach to agriculture that harmonizes human activity with nature, offering a viable solution to the ongoing challenge of ensuring food security along with addressing the issues of environmental degradation and economic burden on farmers. The use of Agnihotra ash as fertilizer and pesticide requires further scientific exploration.

Agnihotra, Farming, Crop Yield, Fertilizer, Agnihotra ash

Agnihotra farming represents a promising and innovative approach to sustainable agriculture, offering a comprehensive solution to many of the challenges posed by conventional farming practices. The utilization of Agnihotra ash as a natural fertilizer and pesticide has demonstrated significant benefits in enhancing soil health, improving crop yields, and reducing pest incidences, as evidenced by various studies. Furthermore, the practice's alignment with environmental sustainability principles—such as promoting biodiversity, enhancing soil microbial activity, and reducing the ecological footprint of farming—positions it as a viable alternative to chemical-based agriculture. However, for Agnihotra farming to be widely adopted and integrated into mainstream agricultural practices, further scientific validation and empirical research are necessary. Addressing the existing limitations, such as the variability in Agnihotra ash composition and the need for standardization of its application, will be crucial for its scalability and consistency across different farming contexts. Additionally, bridging the gap between traditional practices and modern agricultural technologies through policy support, education, and community engagement will be essential in promoting the widespread adoption of Agnihotra farming as a sustainable and economically viable agricultural practice for the future.

Acharya Balkrishna, Deepika Arya, Upasana Agarwal and Vedpriya Arya (2025). Agnihotra Farming: A Sustainable Alternative to Chemical-Dependent Agriculture. International Journal of Theoretical & Applied Sciences, 17(1): 15–21.