Zero Budget Natural Farming: An Inspiring Case of Innovation under Water-Scarce Conditions

Introduction

Indian agriculture is increasingly challenged by climate variability, declining soil health, rising input costs, and water scarcity. In such a scenario, Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) has emerged as a sustainable alternative that reduces dependence on external inputs and revives ecological balance. ZBNF emphasizes the use of locally available resources, particularly cow-based inputs, to restore soil fertility and ensure sustainable crop production at minimal cost.

An inspiring example of this approach is Mr. Malleshappa Gulappa Biserotti, a progressive farmer from Hiregunjal village, Kundgol taluk, Dharwad district of Karnataka. His journey reflects how farmer-led innovation and traditional knowledge can successfully address modern agricultural challenges.

Agro-Climatic Challenges of the Dharwad Region

The Dharwad region of Karnataka lies in a transitional agro-climatic belt, characterized by unpredictable rainfall patterns. Since the early 1990s, the region has experienced:

• Reduced onset and uneven distribution of monsoon rainfall
• Acute drinking water scarcity
• Limited water availability for irrigation

Farmers in the region often struggle to sustain crops, and conventional input-intensive agriculture has proven economically risky under such conditions. It was under these constraints that Mr. Biserotti began exploring organic and natural farming methods as a survival strategy.

Transition to Organic and Natural Farming

Mr. Biserotti has been practising organic farming continuously for over a decade. Initially, he adopted conventional organic inputs such as:

• Farm Yard Manure (FYM)
• Compost
• Vermi-compost

Over four years of consistent application, he observed visible improvements in:

• Crop vigour
• Soil texture
• Moisture retention capacity

These positive outcomes sparked his interest in vermi-compost production, leading him to focus on soil biology rather than chemical nutrient supply.

Adoption of Jeevamrutha and the Water Constraint

Inspired by the principles of Zero Budget Natural Farming, Mr. Biserotti started using liquid Jeevamrutha, a microbial culture prepared using cow dung, cow urine, jaggery, pulse flour, and soil. Jeevamrutha acts as a biological stimulant, enhancing microbial activity and nutrient availability in the soil.

However, liquid Jeevamrutha requires significant quantities of water for preparation and application. Given the severe water scarcity in the region, this method posed a major limitation. Instead of abandoning the practice, Mr. Biserotti demonstrated remarkable innovation by experimenting with solid Jeevamrutha, a low-water alternative.

Preparation and Application of Solid Jeevamrutha

Solid Jeevamrutha is prepared using locally available and cost-free inputs:

• 10 kg cow dung from indigenous cow or ox
• 250 g pulse flour (any locally available pulse)
• 250 g jaggery
• 500 g soil from the farm
• 1.5–2.0 litres cattle urine

All ingredients are mixed thoroughly and heaped under shade, covered with a gunny bag for 24 hours. After removing the cover, the material is dried under shade for 25–30 days, resulting in pebble-like solid Jeevamrutha.

The dried material is sieved into fine and coarse fractions and:

• Applied directly along with seeds during sowing
• Used as top-dressing in standing crops

This method drastically reduces water use while retaining microbial efficacy.

Impact on Soil Biology and Earthworm Population

One of the most significant outcomes of using solid Jeevamrutha was the explosive increase in earthworm population, indicating enhanced soil biological activity. Earthworms play a crucial role in:

• Improving soil structure
• Enhancing nutrient cycling
• Increasing water infiltration

In a controlled experiment, Mr. Biserotti added 2.5 litres of water to 20 kg of solid Jeevamrutha for three days. After 45 days of incubation, he observed around 1,000 earthworms in a single tray. After 71 days, the number increased to approximately 1,500 well-developed earthworms, including cocoons and juvenile worms.

This validated the role of solid Jeevamrutha as an excellent substrate for vermi-compost production.

Integrated Vermi-Compost Production System

Each vermi-compost tray yields about 20 kg of vermi-compost, which is mixed with compost and solid Jeevamrutha for field application. Using this integrated approach, Mr. Biserotti now produces annually:

• 10 metric tonnes (MT) of vermi-compost
• 5 MT of solid Jeevamrutha

He prepares approximately 15 kg of solid Jeevamrutha per tray per day, amounting to around 5,475 kg annually.

Additionally, he prepares:

• 200 kg of neem cake using seeds collected from 17 neem trees
• Neem leaves for vermi-compost enrichment

These practices further enhance pest resistance and soil fertility.

Outcomes and Broader Significance

By adopting Zero Budget Natural Farming principles, Mr. Biserotti has achieved:

• Better crop productivity per acre under scanty rainfall
• Improved soil health and organic matter content
• Reduced dependence on external inputs
• Enhanced crop quality, culinary value, and shelf life

His approach demonstrates that sustainable agriculture is achievable even under resource-poor conditions, provided farmers innovate using local ecological knowledge.

Final Note

The case of Mr. Malleshappa Gulappa Biserotti stands as a powerful example of farmer-led innovation in Zero Budget Natural Farming. His successful development of solid Jeevamrutha addresses one of the major limitations of natural farming—water scarcity—while restoring soil life and productivity.

In the context of climate change, rising input costs, and ecological degradation, such models offer scalable, low-cost solutions for Indian agriculture (Zero Budget Natural Farming). Promoting and documenting such innovations through extension systems can play a critical role in achieving sustainable, resilient, and farmer-friendly agricultural development.

Rajat Joshi

Rajat Joshi is a postgraduate scholar in Agricultural Extension and Communication, with a strong academic background in rural development, farmer communication, and agricultural innovation systems. He has a keen interest in agriculture journalism, focusing on translating research, policies, and field-level innovations into clear, impactful stories for farmers, students, and stakeholders. Rajat is passionate about strengthening the bridge between science and society through credible agri-media, awareness-driven reporting, and knowledge dissemination for sustainable agriculture.