About The Book
This book provides a holistic understanding of Natural Farming as an emerging paradigm in Indian agriculture, with a focus on ecological sustainability, economic viability, and rural resilience. Beginning with an introduction to the Indian agricultural landscape, it traces the history, significance, and core components of natural farming, setting the foundation for a transition away from chemical-intensive methods. It delves into the concept of Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) and highlights its role in reducing input costs and enhancing soil health. The book discusses the role of natural farming in sustainable agriculture, along with detailed guidance on agronomic practices, including crop diversification, water management, and the shift from conventional systems. It further explores sustainable soil management, the use of organic inputs, and practices relevant to horticultural crops and livestock integration. Special attention is given to plant protection methods, the role of institutions like ICAR and KVKs, and the importance of science and technology in scaling natural farming. It also critically examines the challenges faced in adoption, and outlines future prospects and policy implications, making this a valuable resource for students, researchers, extension workers, and progressive farmers interested in nature-based farming solutions.
About Author
Dr. Abhijit Ghosal received his B.Sc. (Ag.) Hons. Degree in 2009 and his M.Sc. (Ag.) in agricultural
entomology in 2011 from Bidhan Chandra KrishiViswavidyalaya, West Bengal. Late on, he was
awarded a Ph.D. in agricultural entomology from Bidhan Chandra KrishiViswavidyalaya, West
Bengal, in 2014. In the same year, he commenced his professional career as Subject Matter Specialist
(Plant Protection) in Sasya Shyamala Krishi Vigyan Kendra of Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda
Educational and Research Institute (RKMVERI) (formerly known as Ramakrishna Mission
Vivekananda University, NAAC A++ grade university). He is presently continuing his professional
career at the same institute. Dr.Ghosal has vast experience in the fields of agriculture and plant
protection, most specifically in toxicology, economic entomology, IPM, and non-chemical plant
health management. He has also been associated with teaching since 2014, apart from his research and
extension activities, and has guided nine post-graduate students as a supervisor. He served as PI and
Nodal Officer of 13 projects. of repute. He has published 10 books, 8 book chapters, and 44 research
papers in referred journals of national and international repute. Dr.Ghosal has been awarded the
Young Scientist Award (Entomology) and the Official Spotlight Award from reputed academic
societies; recently, in 2024, he received the very prestigious Best Centre Activity Award for Natural
Farming under Zone V of ICAR-ATARI. He has acted as a key resource person for plant protection
and natural farming in universities, KVKs, and line departments. Apart from his academic and
research activities, he is associated with several professional societies as an executive committee
member; presently, he is serving as Joint Secretary of the prestigious Crop and Weed Science Society,
Kalyani (BCKV). He has also served asa member of the Managing Committee (to look after the
functioning of KVK), Kalyan, Purulia, from 2018 to 2023.
Mr. Subhadeep Karak is a Dynamic professional from West Bengal, India, currently working as a
Research Fellow at the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) - National Remote Sensing
Centre, Hyderabad. He specializes in climate-smart agriculture, GHG emissions, precision farming,
and applications of remote sensing data to optimize resource allocation, mitigate risks and enhances
decision making process for sustainable management of agricultural practices. Mr. Karak has an
impressive academic background, achieving outstanding grades in his matriculation (10th) and higher
secondary exams, and excelling in his B.Sc. Agriculture (2020) and M.Sc. Agronomy studies (2022)
with distinction from Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, West Bengal. Mr. Karak has
contributed to over 10 research and review papers published in esteemed international and national
journals, authored 2 books, and written more than 15 popular articles and bulletins. He has actively
participated in over 20 training programs, seminars, workshops, and conferences, earning several
accolades such as the “Young Agriculturist Award,” “Best M.Sc. Thesis Award”, and “Best Oral
Presentation Award” etc. Mr. Karak has also served as a resource person for numerous training
sessions, workshops, and LIVE TV programs for organizations including Doordarshan, KVKs,
DAESI Programmes, Farmers Exhibition, and various state government entities, covering topics such
as Natural Farming, Hydroponics, Underexploited Climate-Smart Crops, and Remote Sensing
Applications in Agriculture. Beyond his academic and research endeavors, Mr. Karak is actively
involved with several professional societies as an executive committee member, Editor and also the
author serves as a reviewer for numerous prestigious international journals.
Dr. Umesh Thapa, M. Sc. (Ag.), Ph.D., Post-Doc (Italy) in Vegetable Science, is a Professor, &
Former Director of Extension Education , Former Head & Former Dean Student’s Welfare in the
Department of Vegetable Science, Faculty of Horticulture, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswaidyalaya,
Mohanpur, West Bengal, India. He has a brilliant academic career and has professional experience of
more than 30 years in teaching, research and extension in Vegetable Science. His field of expertise is
Production & Seed production technology of vegetable crops and soilless technology of High value
vegetables. He has develop a package and practices of producing High value vegetables crops under
hydroponic/ soilless culture systems with respect of suitable varieties , different substrates and
nutrient solution. He has guided 28 M. Sc. (Hort.) students and 14 Ph.D. students. He has experiences
of supervising a 16- research project as Principal Investigator and Co- Principal Investigatorfinanced
by different governmental organization and private sectors. He was awarded Postdoctoral fellowship
from Government of Italy and has successfully completed his post-doctoral research on Soilless
Culture in Vegetables from University of Turin, Italy. He gives rendered services as a Resource
person in several orientation courses on awareness programme on several commercial vegetables
including High value vegetable crops and Participated as an expert in agricultural/ horticultural related
broadcasting programme in All India Radio, Doordarshan, Kolkata and Kurseong. He has so far
published 98 research papers in National and International journal of repute, 8 book chapters, 8
teaching practical manuals and number of popular articles. Dr. U. Thapa is also the author of 14
numbers of books in Horticulture. Dr. Thapa received Life Time Achievement Award during the
International conference on “protected cultivation and Digital Agriculture” by SHUATS, Prayagraj
held on 29th -30th November , 2023 . He also Received Eminent Scientist Award 2023 in the field of
Vegetable Science by AETDS at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and
Techonology , Srinagar . Dr. Thapa Received Eminent Professor Award 2022 by International
Multidisciplinary Research Foundation . Prof. Thapa received Outstanding Scientist Award in the
International Scientist Awards on Engineering, Science and Medicine, held on 22&23rd, October,
2021, Hyderbad. Prof Thapa He has Received Bharat Jyoti Award by India International Friendship
Society 12th, November, 2021. Prof. Thapa has received “Bharat Vikas Award” from Institute of Self
Reliance, Bhubaneswar for Loyalty, Diligence & outstanding Performance in the field of
Development optimization of production technology on Vegetables at Bhubaneswar on November
19th , 2017. He has also Received “Eminent Scientist Award” from Samgra Vikas Welfare Society,
Lucknow on October 13-15, 2017. Dr. Thapa also Received “ Achiever Award-2016 from Society for
Advancement of Human and Nature (SADHNA) Dr.YSParmar Universityof Horticulture and Forestry
Nauni, Solan . He has also received Award for Excellence in Research during 4th Academic
Brilliance Awards-2016. Prof. Thapa received prestigious Distinguished Scientist Award during
VIFRA - 2015 from Venus International Foundation. Received Certificate of Recognition from
Scientific Federation for worthy Keynote presentation during “International Congress and expo on
Agriculture & Horticulture ’’ held during August 13-14 , 2018 at Amsterdam , Netherland. He is a life
member, reviewer and editor board members of various reputed scientific societies and journals and
has been examiner in different universities. He has received Reviewer Excellence Award as Reviewer
of Indian Journal of Agricultural Research & Legume Research from the Editors of ARCC Journal.
Prof. Thapa is Chief Editor of E- News letter Krishi Udyan Darpan (Innovative Sustainable Farming)
published by Society of Advancement in Agriculture, Horticulture and Allied Sectors, SAAHAS,
Allahabad. He has so far visited Switzerland, Germany, Italy, Malaysia, Thailand, Sri Lanka,
Netherland, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and Belgium on academic mission.
