As the world increasingly moves towards climate-resilient sustainable agriculture, people are becoming more conscious about what to eat and what to avoid. Recently, the Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, urged citizens to adopt sustainable and healthy lifestyles. To do this effectively, we must begin with our food choices. We should consume food grown with little to no synthetic chemicals such as inorganic fertilizers and pesticides. This not only helps us avoid health hazards caused by these synthetic chemicals but also contributes to improving soil health.
In this context, several sustainable agriculture practices are gaining popularity, among them, organic and natural farming stand out. Many people assume that these two methods are the same, but they are based on different principles and practices. In this blog, we’ll dive deep into the key differences between organic and natural farming, explore which one might be better, and look at some real-life case studies.
What is Organic Farming?
DEFINITION AS PER USDA: organic farming is a system which avoids or largely excludes the use of synthetic inputs (such as fertilizers, pesticides, hormones, feed additives etc) and to the maximum extent feasible rely upon crop rotations, crop residues, animal manures, off-farm organic waste, mineral grade rock additives and biological system of nutrient mobilization and plant protection.
DEFINITION AS PER FAO: Organic agriculture is a unique production management system which promotes and enhances agro-ecosystem health, including biodiversity, biological cycles, and soil biological activity, and this is accomplished by using on-farm agronomic, biological, and mechanical methods in exclusion of all synthetic off-farm inputs.
Core Objectives
Key Practices Include
- Use of Organic fertilizers: Farm Yard Manure (FYM), Compost, green manure, vermicompost, and biofertilizers
- Following Crop Rotation and Intercropping: Growing two or more crops simultaneously, and following crop rotation helps in enhancing soil nutrients and preventing pest cycles
- Biological Pest Control: Using beneficial insects and plant extracts like neem oil helps to control pests
- Mechanical and Manual Weeding: Mechanical and manual weeding is followed to control weeds instead of weedicides
- Soil Health Management: Emphasizing microbial activity and organic content
Certification Process
Organic farming is certified by national and international bodies such as:
India: 1. Third Party certification(NPOP) system which is governed by APEDA, Ministry of Commerce which is mainly focused for export purposes and 2. PGS-INDIA certification system.
Global: IFOAM, USDA Organic Certification includes annual inspections, farm records, traceability, and compliance with organic standards. Farmers must also undergo a 2-3 year transition period.
Advantages of Organic Farming
- Access to premium markets (domestic and export): Organically grown produce fetches higher prices in national and international markets due to increasing demand for organic produce.
- Improved soil fertility and long-term sustainability: As we use organic manures and fertilizers, mulching, crop rotation, and intercropping provide organic matter, which improves soil microbes and eventually adds nutrients to the soil, reducing soil erosion and controlling pests and diseases.
- Better taste and nutritional content of produce: Organic produce will have a longer shelf life, better taste, and nutritional content compared to conventionally grown food.
Challenges
- High input and certification costs: If one needs to sell their produce in national or international markets as organic, they need to obtain certification, which is a time-consuming and costlier process. High input costs and certification costs can increase the cost of cultivation.
- Yield gaps compared to conventional systems: Some studies reported that there will be low yield in the initial three years/ during the conversion period.
- Requires skilled labor and intensive monitoring
What is Natural Farming?
Masanobu Fukuoka, a Japanese farmer, was the first person to introduce the concept of Natural farming as an ecological farming approach in his book ‘The One-Straw Revolution’ in 1975. It is also “do-nothing farming” or “the farming approach that imitates the way of nature”. Nature is responsible for the maintenance of vegetation, including natural forests, through nutrient and water cycling and protection from infections and pests.
Natural farming is a method in which agricultural practices are guided by natural laws and allows the complexity of both flora and fauna that creates sustainable agro ecological units or Natural farming is a chemical-free, low-cost method that mimics natural ecosystems. It aims to completely eliminate external inputs, allowing nature to take care of soil fertility, pest control, and crop growth.
The most commonly followed Natural farming in India is the Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) model developed by Subhash Palekar. The term “Zero Budget” denotes zero external financing, dramatic cut in the cost of production and non usage of any purchased inputs like fertilizer, pesticide and other synthetic chemicals.
Core Philosophy
Key Techniques of ZBNF Include
- Jeevamrutha: A microbial-rich tonic prepared from desi cow dung, urine, jaggery, and soil etc.
- Beejamrutha: Seed treatment solution using cow urine and lime.
- Acchadana (Soil Cover):Biological (e.g., straw), live (e.g., green manure), and soil-based.
- Whapasa: Promoting soil aeration and moisture balance rather than irrigation alone.
Advantages of Natural Farming
- Zero input cost: Natural farming relies completely on local resources, promotes integration of animal component, and hence, reduces the cost of cultivation.
- Improves soil fertility and microbial activity: According to Palekar, the desi cow is believed to produce beneficial microorganisms that are superior to those produced by crossbred cows like Jersey or Holstein, which are essential for the decomposition of organic matter. Regular application of Jeevamrut enhances soil fertility by increasing soil microbes and the decomposition process.
- Empowers small and marginal farmers: Zero Budget Natural Farming cuts down the cost of cultivation, and hence, reduces the farmers to become dependence on moneylenders.
- Additional year-round income: Addition of various components like trees, animals, fruit crops, etc., gives additional income and improves the socio-economic conditions of the farmers.
Challenges of Natural Farming
- No formal certification: There is no formal certification to recognize naturally produced foods like organic foods.
- Limited branding for consumers: Limited branding and, lack of formal certifications discourage consumers from buying naturally produced produce.
- Initial yield reduction: There is a yield reduction during the transition period from conventional farming to natural farming.
- Requires training and traditional knowledge revival: Natural farming requires training to know how to convert a conventional farm to natural farming, how to prepare, and when to apply Jeevamrut and Beejamrut. For more about natural farming: http://dx.doi.org/10.9734/IJECC/2022/v12i121544
Comparison: Organic Farming vs. Natural Farming
| Feature | Organic Farming | Natural Farming |
| Inputs | Permitted organic inputs from outside | No external inputs at all |
| Certification | Mandatory for market access | Not required; relies on local trust |
| Cost of Production | Medium to High | Very Low (Zero-Budget) |
| Soil Tillage | Allowed and sometimes practiced | Discouraged; no disturbance of soil layers |
| Market Orientation | Export and urban health-conscious consumers | Local, self-consumption or farmer groups |
| Pest Management | Biopesticides and crop rotation | Desi cow urine-based formulations |
| Farming Philosophy | Science-based with ecological standards | Natural process-based, spiritually aligned |
Which Farming is Better? A Comparative Lens
Both systems offer compelling advantages and are highly context-specific. Here is a comparative outlook based on different criteria:
- For Large-Scale Commercial Farming: For large-scale commercial farming, you can choose Organic farming because of its standardized protocols, access to export markets, and branding and certification opportunities.
- For Small and Marginal Farmers: Natural farming is more suitable as it eliminates the need for costly external inputs and also supports food and nutritional security. It also provides additional income, so that the socio-economic condition of farmers can be improved.
- In Terms of Sustainability, Natural farming regenerates ecosystems faster, while organic farming supports long-term soil fertility with market linkage.
Can They Be Integrated?
Yes. Many farmers practice a hybrid model, using local inputs (like Jeevamrutha) while complying with certification norms of organic farming. This offers the best of both worlds: ecological balance and market credibility.
Real-life Examples
Real-Life Examples and Case Studies
1. Sikkim – A 100% Organic State:
Became India’s first fully organic state in 2016
Covers over 75,000 hectares of farmland
Boosted tourism and health-conscious agriculture
2. Andhra Pradesh – Natural Farming Revolution
Adopted ZBNF across 6 million farmers
Government support via Rythu Sadhikara Samstha (RySS)
Demonstrated lower costs, improved resilience during droughts
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
- What is the main difference between organic and natural farming? Organic farming permits certified external inputs and follows a certification process, whereas natural farming uses no external inputs and relies on natural processes.
- Is natural farming more eco-friendly than organic? Natural farming aims to closely mimic forest ecosystems, often making it more ecologically aligned than organic systems that still involve some disturbance.
- Which system is more profitable? Organic farming can generate higher profits through premium pricing. However, natural farming reduces costs drastically, often resulting in better net profits for resource-poor farmers.
- Can a farmer shift from conventional to natural/organic farming easily? Transition is possible but gradual. Organic farming requires a conversion period for certification. Natural farming may have initial yield dips before benefits are realized.
- Is certification necessary for natural farming? No. However, group certification and Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS) are being explored for credibility.
Conclusion
Organic and natural farming represent two transformative paths in modern agriculture. Organic farming builds on ecological principles while allowing commercial viability through certification and market access. Natural farming, on the other hand, focuses on minimal human interference, reducing costs, and embracing nature’s cycles.
The decision to choose between them should depend on local conditions, market access, resource availability, and personal philosophy. For a nation like India, with millions of small and marginal farmers, natural farming offers immediate relief from debt and dependency, while organic farming opens doors to national and international trade.
Ultimately, the integration of both philosophies may provide the most resilient and sustainable path forward.
Call to Action
Are you planning to shift to sustainable farming practices? Wait for our new blogs:
Step-by-Step Organic Certification Process in India
Natural Inputs: How to Make Jeevamrutha and Bijamrutha at Home
10 Profitable Organic Crops for Beginners
