,ACHARYA N. G. RANGA AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY
PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES OF
NATURAL FARMING
(Syllabus prescribed by VI deans committee)
STUDY MATERAIL
Dr. P. V. Ramesh Babu
Scientist (Agronomy)
Dr. M Ashok Naik
Teaching Associate (Agronomy)
Dr. S. Dayakar
Principal Scientist (Entomology)
, Page
S.No Lecture outlines
No’s
1. Indian Heritage of Ancient Agriculture, History of Natural Farming, Importance of
1-8
natural farming in the present context, Natural farming: Definition- Concept- Objective
- and Principles of Natural farming. Status of Natural farming in World and India.
2. Scope and importance of natural farming -main pillars of natural farming- Methods/
types/schools of natural farming. Characteristics of a natural farm. Merits and
limitations of Natural farming. Types of natural farming systems and practices (Bio- 9-21
dynamic, Homa farming, Natueco farming, Rishi Krishi, Panchagavya Krishi, Yogic
farming.
3. Soil health, water use, biodiversity conservation, food and nutritional security -
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Concept of ecological balance, ecological 22-32
engineering and community responsibility in natural versus other farming systems.
4. Introduction to concept of ecological water, carbon and nitrogen foot prints, carbon
33-41
sequestration. Concept and evaluation of ecosystem services.
5. Integration of crops with trees and animals, cropping system approaches -rearing of
42-45
animals (Dairy, sheep and goat) under natural farming.
6. Indigenous seed production, farm waste recycling - use of renewable energy approaches
46-52
in a natural farm and water conservation, Nutrient management in natural farming.
7. Weed management under natural farming and mechanization in natural farming 53-58
8. Important natural farming practices for field crops Natural farming in India - key
59-65
policies, Programmes - Challenges in growth of natural farming in India
9. General practices in natural farming to contain insect pests on various field crops- pest
definition- categories of different pests – Farmers Field School- Ecological engineering 66-72
concepts, principles and approaches - Biodiversity in eco friendly agriculture.
10. Study of Indigenous technical Knowledge for insect pests and disease management in
natural farming- Preparation and use of panchagavya, vermi wash, sour butter milk,
73-80
Ghana jeevaamrutham, beejamrutham, drava jeevaamrutam and application to combat
insect pests and diseases on various crops.
11. Study of IPM – Concepts, Principles and different principles in pest management in
natural farming – Pest surveillance and pest forecasting – Seed treatment - host plant
varietal selection- Agronomic management practices – Crop rotation- Intercrops-Trap
81-91
crops-Cover crops- Physical and mechanical measures- role of Pheromone traps and
different types pheromones traps used in pest monitoring- ITKs related to management
of plant diseases - Suppressive soils, concept and potentialities for managing soil borne
, pathogens
12. Study of Insecticidal properties of botanical insecticides - Neem, Pongamia, custard
apple, Vitex nigundo, sweet flag- Preparation of different plant based oils and extracts-
92-97
Neem oil, eucalyptus, NSKE , PSKE, Custard leaf extract –Tobacco decoction- chilli
and garlic paste- Role of soil microbiome in disease management
13. Study and preparation of Neemastra, Agniastra, Brahmastra, valilaku, Ipomia, datura
kashayam and Dasapatra kashayam- Usage and Precautions-Field application against
insect pests and diseases. Role of cultural/physical /mechanical/Indigenous techniques 98-105
in management of different stored grain insect pests- Different traditional storage
structures used to minimize insect damage on different stored grains and products
14. Processing, labelling -certification and standards in natural farming, 109-115
15. Marketing and export potential of natural farming produce and products-Economic
116-125
viability (Yield, Cost of production, Net Income) of natural farming products.
16. Initiatives taken by Government (central/state), NGOs and other organizations for
promotion of natural farming and chemical free agriculture. Case studies and success
126-137
stories in natural farming and chemical free traditional farming and entrepreneurship
opportunities in natural farming.
PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES OF
NATURAL FARMING
(Syllabus prescribed by VI deans committee)
STUDY MATERAIL
Dr. P. V. Ramesh Babu
Scientist (Agronomy)
Dr. M Ashok Naik
Teaching Associate (Agronomy)
Dr. S. Dayakar
Principal Scientist (Entomology)
, Page
S.No Lecture outlines
No’s
1. Indian Heritage of Ancient Agriculture, History of Natural Farming, Importance of
1-8
natural farming in the present context, Natural farming: Definition- Concept- Objective
- and Principles of Natural farming. Status of Natural farming in World and India.
2. Scope and importance of natural farming -main pillars of natural farming- Methods/
types/schools of natural farming. Characteristics of a natural farm. Merits and
limitations of Natural farming. Types of natural farming systems and practices (Bio- 9-21
dynamic, Homa farming, Natueco farming, Rishi Krishi, Panchagavya Krishi, Yogic
farming.
3. Soil health, water use, biodiversity conservation, food and nutritional security -
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Concept of ecological balance, ecological 22-32
engineering and community responsibility in natural versus other farming systems.
4. Introduction to concept of ecological water, carbon and nitrogen foot prints, carbon
33-41
sequestration. Concept and evaluation of ecosystem services.
5. Integration of crops with trees and animals, cropping system approaches -rearing of
42-45
animals (Dairy, sheep and goat) under natural farming.
6. Indigenous seed production, farm waste recycling - use of renewable energy approaches
46-52
in a natural farm and water conservation, Nutrient management in natural farming.
7. Weed management under natural farming and mechanization in natural farming 53-58
8. Important natural farming practices for field crops Natural farming in India - key
59-65
policies, Programmes - Challenges in growth of natural farming in India
9. General practices in natural farming to contain insect pests on various field crops- pest
definition- categories of different pests – Farmers Field School- Ecological engineering 66-72
concepts, principles and approaches - Biodiversity in eco friendly agriculture.
10. Study of Indigenous technical Knowledge for insect pests and disease management in
natural farming- Preparation and use of panchagavya, vermi wash, sour butter milk,
73-80
Ghana jeevaamrutham, beejamrutham, drava jeevaamrutam and application to combat
insect pests and diseases on various crops.
11. Study of IPM – Concepts, Principles and different principles in pest management in
natural farming – Pest surveillance and pest forecasting – Seed treatment - host plant
varietal selection- Agronomic management practices – Crop rotation- Intercrops-Trap
81-91
crops-Cover crops- Physical and mechanical measures- role of Pheromone traps and
different types pheromones traps used in pest monitoring- ITKs related to management
of plant diseases - Suppressive soils, concept and potentialities for managing soil borne
, pathogens
12. Study of Insecticidal properties of botanical insecticides - Neem, Pongamia, custard
apple, Vitex nigundo, sweet flag- Preparation of different plant based oils and extracts-
92-97
Neem oil, eucalyptus, NSKE , PSKE, Custard leaf extract –Tobacco decoction- chilli
and garlic paste- Role of soil microbiome in disease management
13. Study and preparation of Neemastra, Agniastra, Brahmastra, valilaku, Ipomia, datura
kashayam and Dasapatra kashayam- Usage and Precautions-Field application against
insect pests and diseases. Role of cultural/physical /mechanical/Indigenous techniques 98-105
in management of different stored grain insect pests- Different traditional storage
structures used to minimize insect damage on different stored grains and products
14. Processing, labelling -certification and standards in natural farming, 109-115
15. Marketing and export potential of natural farming produce and products-Economic
116-125
viability (Yield, Cost of production, Net Income) of natural farming products.
16. Initiatives taken by Government (central/state), NGOs and other organizations for
promotion of natural farming and chemical free agriculture. Case studies and success
126-137
stories in natural farming and chemical free traditional farming and entrepreneurship
opportunities in natural farming.
