Sowing Sustainability With Zero Budget Farming

In the heart of India’s cotton belt—Vidarbha and the Deccan plateau—a silent agricultural revolution is taking root. Unlike the flashy allure of high-yielding genetically modified seeds, agri-drones, or heavy chemical use, this change is refreshingly simple, deeply traditional, and firmly rooted in sustainability. At the centre of this quiet resurgence is Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF), a grassroots movement inspired by ancient Indian farming wisdom and promoted by agronomist and natural farming crusader Subhash Palekar.

ZBNF is based on four key principles: Jeevamrutha (a microbial inoculant made from cow dung and urine), Beejamrutha (a seed treatment solution), mulching to retain moisture and suppress weeds, and aeration of soil to foster healthy root systems. This system, as the name suggests, operates on almost zero external cost. Farmers use no synthetic fertilisers or pesticides, incur no loans, and rely instead on bio-inputs that can be made on the farm itself, often with help from the humble Indian cow.

This quiet return to natural ways is resonating especially well with cotton farmers—long burdened by high input costs, water scarcity, and pesticide dependency. Traditionally known as a water-intensive and pesticide-heavy crop, cotton has now become a canvas for experimenting with chemical-free cultivation under ZBNF. “We don’t spray death anymore,” says a cotton farmer in the region. “We brew life.” His sentiment reflects a growing awareness among farmers: input costs are down, the soil feels alive again, and the fields are once again welcoming birds and earthworms, once driven away by relentless chemical use.

However, this is not just an agricultural shift—it’s a cultural one. Across the country, value-based enterprises are beginning to see the long-term merit in investing in value-driven farming. One notable example is Patanjali Ayurved. Though most recognized for its ghee and toothpaste, Patanjali has quietly developed procurement systems favouring naturally and organically cultivated herbs and cotton. The company’s approach is not a mere extension of its CSR commitments—it’s built into its supply chain philosophy. As a senior procurement head from the Patanjali ecosystem explains, “When your final product claims purity, the raw material cannot come from poisoned land.”

In Patanjali Organic Kranti, Acharya Balkrishna shares compelling outcomes from this philosophy in action. On a three-acre cotton farm, natural farming practices led to a 20–25% increase in yield and a 50% drop in input costs. The land, no longer treated with harsh chemicals, saw a resurgence in biodiversity—from beneficial insects to earthworms. Water usage declined, soil regained its natural texture, and the produce began to attract premium buyers seeking organically grown cotton. These outcomes underscore how natural farming doesn’t just boost output and income—it restores ecological balance and gives farmers a renewed sense of dignity and ownership over their land.

These changes are also feeding into the broader textile narrative of “Bharatiya resurgence.” It’s not a return to the past for nostalgia’s sake, but a conscious recalibration of modernity. In this vision, chemical-free cotton, processed without synthetic dyes and woven using traditional techniques, is viewed not as outdated but as differently modern. Today’s discerning consumers—especially urban youth and sustainability advocates—are increasingly making conscious choices in what they wear. Fashion influencer Piyusha Sharma notes, “Most buyers like me are making a shift toward wearing only natural fabrics grown through traditional and organic methods. It’s my way of supporting sustainable practices and choosing what’s better for both the planet and my body.”

For farmers like Ramesh Kumar from Kurnool, the experience has been transformational. “With Zero Budget Natural Farming, I no longer depend on expensive chemical inputs. The soil is alive again, my crops are healthier, and I’ve reduced my costs to almost nothing,” he says. His statement echoes a broader sentiment among small and marginal farmers embracing ZBNF—it’s not just about saving money, but about reclaiming control over their farms and reconnecting with the rhythm of the land.

Yet, the journey is not without hurdles. Transitioning to ZBNF can be tough, especially in the initial years. Farmers often see a dip in yields, labour requirements increase, and institutional support remains limited. But where patience and community support exist, rewards do follow. The restoration of soil fertility, reduction in credit dependency, and access to premium markets eventually begin to offset the early challenges.

In a country often engulfed in grim headlines about farmer suicides and rural distress, the rise of Zero Budget Natural Farming offers a hopeful counter-narrative. It’s not loud or large-scale yet. But in the quiet work of composting cow dung, fermenting plant concoctions, and hand-weeding small cotton plots, something radical is unfolding. It is a movement where sustainability, culture, and economy are not at odds—but in harmony. And in that balance lies the seed of India’s agricultural future—resilient, regenerative, and rooted.