Abstract

The concept of natural farming coupled with the concept of recycle, reuse is not only environmental friendly but also sustainable in nature. Natural farming by the Padmashri awardee Subhash Palekar is the primary focus of the article. It deals into the details of the process of natural farming. The article also focuses on the key issues & challenges faced in the process of this farming. Thereafter it moves into the realm of 4Rs - ‘Reduce, Refuse, Recycle & Reuse’ of waste management. Out of these, two are discussed in the article. The concept of reuse & recycle are discussed through various facets of the referred case studies. The article looks into organic farming in one angle & the modern farming on the other. The issue of genetically modified foods is linked to modern farming on one hand and the organic farming on the other hand is free from these issues. Soil fertility is linked in a better way with organic where as in a negative way with the modern or fertilizer based farming. Mixed cropping, rotational cropping, horticulture farming are the various effective strategies that addresses soil fertility. On the other hand, the nation has to address the issue of food security and this can only be addressed by mass production that lies within the fringes of modern farming. Food security is a triangle that is completed by the elements of availability, accessibility, affordability with utilization at its tip. Food has to be produced, ensure that it is within the reach of people geographically & economically. Finally, the body has to be in a shape or stage where the food is used optimally.

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