Theory
Indian Heritage of Ancient Agriculture, History of Natural Farming, Importance of natural farming in view of climate change, soil health, water use carbon sequestration, biodiversity conservation, food security and nutritional security, and sustainable development goals (SDGs), Concept of natural farming; Definition of natural farming; Objective of natural farming, Essential characteristics and Principles of natural farming; Scope and importance of natural farming. Main Pillars of natural farming; Methods/ types/schools of natural farming. Characteristics and design of a natural farm, Concept of ecological balance, ecological engineering and community responsibility in natural versus other farming systems, Introduction to concept of ecological, water, carbon and nitrogen foot prints, Concept and evaluation of ecosystem services, integration of crops, trees and animals, cropping system approaches, Biodiversity, indigenous seed production, farm waste recycling, water conservation and renewable energy use approaches on a natural farm, Rearing practices for animals under natural farming, Nutrient management in natural farming and their sources, Insect, pest, disease and weed management under natural farming; Mechanization in natural farming, Processing, labelling, economic considerations and viability, certification and standards in natural farming, marketing and export potential of natural farming produce and products. Initiatives taken by Government (central/state), NGOs and other organizations for promotion of natural farming and chemical free agriculture, Case studies and success stories in natural farming and chemical free traditional farming, Entrepreneurship opportunities in natural farming.
Practical
Visit of natural farm and chemical free traditional farms to study the various components and operations of natural farming principles at the farm; Indigenous technical knowledge (ITK) for seed, tillage, water, nutrient, insect-pest, disease and weed management; On-farm inputs preparation methods and protocols, Studies in green manuring in-situ and green leaf manuring, Studies on different types of botanicals and animal urine and dung based non-aerated and aerated inputs for plant growth, nutrient, insect and pest and disease management; Weed management practices in natural farming; Techniques of Indigenous seed production- storage and marketing, Partial and complete nutrient and financial budgeting in natural farming; farming; Evaluation of ecosystem services in natural farming (Crop, Field and System).