Natural vs organic farming: What you need to know

A breakdown of the major differences between both practices

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January 10, 2025

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About 65% of India’s workforce is directly involved in agriculture, making it a vital part of the economy and essential for meeting the needs of 1.4 billion people. Farming in India plays a crucial role in providing livelihoods, ensuring food security, and contributing significantly to the country’s GDP. However, rising food demand, coupled with limited arable land and finite natural resources, has led to a heavy reliance on chemical fertilisers. This dependency has caused serious problems, including groundwater contamination, soil degradation, and the buildup of toxic metals in soil and food.

In this context, natural and organic farming offer important alternatives to conventional methods. Both practices focus on sustainability and aim to restore ecological balance. Understanding the differences between natural and organic farming is key for farmers, consumers, and policymakers, helping them adopt more sustainable agricultural practices that reduce environmental damage.

Philosophy and approach

Natural farming is based on the principle of working entirely within nature’s limits. It avoids all external inputs, including organic fertilisers, aiming to replicate natural ecosystems. The focus is on enhancing local biodiversity and using natural processes to maintain soil fertility and control pests. For example, natural farming encourages the use of indigenous crops suited to local conditions, helping to sustain the ecosystem’s balance. Originating in Japan, this method integrates crops, livestock, and trees in a way that mirrors natural systems. Farmers who adopt natural farming rely on local knowledge and traditional practices passed down through generations.

Organic farming, on the other hand, follows a regulated system that allows certain approved organic inputs, such as compost and natural pest control methods. It prohibits synthetic chemicals and genetically modified organisms (GMOs), ensuring food is safe to eat and environmentally friendly. Organic farming focuses on improving soil health with techniques like crop rotation, cover cropping, and composting. These practices not only boost soil fertility but also encourage biodiversity by creating habitats for organisms vital to a healthy ecosystem.

Leading by example

Subhash Palekar Natural Farming, earlier known as Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF), is a standout model of sustainable agriculture in India. Created by Padma Shri awardee Subhash Palekar, this approach has transformed farming in over 700 villages across states like Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, and Himachal Pradesh under the Centre’s Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana initiative.

The core of this method lies in efficient use of resources. Farmers are encouraged to move away from costly external inputs like chemical fertilisers and pesticides. Instead, they rely on locally available materials such as cow dung, crop residues, and other organic matter to enrich the soil. The approach promotes intercropping and polyculture—growing multiple crops together instead of focusing on monoculture. This not only boosts productivity but also makes crops more resilient to pests and diseases.

Water management is another key element of this system. With water scarcity posing a major challenge for farmers, Palekar’s method highlights the importance of conserving water while maintaining adequate crop moisture. Techniques like mulching and rainwater harvesting help farmers reduce their dependence on irrigation and use water resources more sustainably.

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Key practices

Natural and organic farming use distinct methods to achieve sustainable agriculture.

Natural farming relies entirely on nature’s processes, avoiding any external inputs like fertilisers or pesticides. Farmers let nature guide their work, maintaining soil health through microorganisms that naturally break down organic matter. These microbes play a vital role in recycling nutrients and improving soil structure.

Pest control in natural farming involves attracting beneficial insects and predators instead of using chemicals. For example, ladybirds help control aphids without harming the environment or human health. Weed management is minimal, with many farmers avoiding ploughing or tilling to preserve soil structure and protect beneficial organisms in the soil.

Organic farming enhances soil fertility through organic inputs like compost from plant material or animal manure. These enrich the soil with nutrients, improve its structure, and boost water retention. Unlike natural farming’s hands-off approach, organic farming allows some intervention, following strict rules set by regulatory bodies.

In organic systems, pest control may include naturally derived pesticides or integrated pest management, combining biological methods with cultural practices to limit pest damage while avoiding synthetic chemicals. Regulated weeding practices help maintain crop health without damaging soil quality.

Shared principles

Natural and organic farming, despite their differences, share key principles that reflect their commitment to sustainable agriculture.

Both methods are entirely chemical-free, avoiding synthetic substances that could harm human health or damage the environment over time. This approach ensures safer food production for consumers.

They also prioritise biodiversity by promoting indigenous crops and livestock suited to local conditions. This supports local ecosystems and improves resilience to pests and diseases.

Sustainability is another common goal. Both systems focus on improving soil health and maintaining ecological balance, ensuring fertile land and diverse farming opportunities for future generations.

Differing approaches

While natural and organic farming share goals of sustainability and ecological balance, their methods differ in key ways.

Natural farming follows a zero-intervention philosophy, letting nature take the lead with no external inputs or controls. Farmers rely entirely on natural processes to manage soil fertility, pests, and crops.

In contrast, organic farming allows limited intervention within strict guidelines. These regulations ensure consistency with organic standards, maintaining consumer trust while offering farmers a pathway to certification.

Cost is another key difference. Natural farming is generally more affordable as it relies on local resources and avoids the need for certified inputs or compliance with regulatory frameworks, which are required in organic farming.

Natural farming takes a hands-off approach, allowing ecosystems to flourish without human interference. Organic farming, however, uses controlled interventions and regulation to balance sustainability with agricultural productivity.

Both approaches play a vital role in advancing sustainable farming in India, a country grappling with food security challenges, rapid population growth, and environmental damage caused by chemical-intensive farming.