This book emphasizes the holistic nature of farming systems that work with nature rather than against it. It explores the underlying concepts of soil health, biodiversity, ecological balance, and sustainability, which are central to natural farming. By combining insights from Vedic traditions, indigenous practices, and modern agroecological research, the text bridges the gap between ancient knowledge and contemporary agricultural science.

The book is organized into thirteen chapters, systematically covering the key aspects of natural farming—from its principles, scope, and philosophy to management practices, soil and nutrient management, pest and disease regulation, biodiversity conservation, and government initiatives promoting natural farming in India. Each chapter presents a clear explanation of concepts, supplemented with illustrations, examples, case studies, and field experiences that enhance understanding and practical application.

Special attention has been given to India’s leading natural farming movements, including successful models and farmers’ innovations that demonstrate the practical viability of low-cost, sustainable agricultural systems. The book also highlights climate-resilient strategies and the role of natural farming in achieving food security and ecological sustainability.

Designed primarily for undergraduate students, this book will also serve as a valuable reference for teachers, researchers, extension workers, and practitioners engaged in sustainable agriculture, organic farming, and agroecology. Its structured and reader-friendly approach ensures clarity, coherence, and relevance to current agricultural challenges and educational needs.

By blending scientific reasoning with ecological wisdom, Natural Farming: Principles and Practices encourages readers to rethink the relationship between humans and nature. It inspires a shift toward farming systems that nurture the earth, sustain livelihoods, and ensure harmony between productivity and environmental stewardship.
 

D. Udhaya Nandhini is an Associate Professor in the Department of Crop Management at Mother Teresa College of Agriculture, affiliated with Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore-3, Tamil Nadu, India. She holds Bachelor degree in Agriculture, along with Masters and Doctoral degrees in Agronomy from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University. Her doctoral research was funded by M/s Novozymes South Asia Private Limited. She has also completed a Postdoctoral Fellowship in Organic Farming. Dr. Nandhini has authored four books and published 25 research papers in both international and national journals, in addition to numerous popular articles. She continues to teach and supervise undergraduate student projects, with her current research focusing on soil health index, carbon sequestration, and molecular-level studies in traditional rice varieties.

S. Jidhu Vaishnavi is an Assistant Professor of Crop Physiology at the Amrita School of Agricultural Sciences, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham. She holds a B.Sc. (Hons.) in Horticulture from the Horticultural College and Research Institute, Periyakulam, and earned her M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in Crop Physiology from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore. During her postgraduate and doctoral studies, she was awarded fellowships from Novonesis Pvt. Ltd., Bangalore. Her primary research interests include plant–microbe interactions, post-harvest physiology, and abiotic stress tolerance in plants. She has published 10 research articles in international journals and 5 in national journals, and she holds one patent. She is a life member in Indian society of plant physiology, Horticultural Society of India.

S. Venkatesan has obtained Bachelor degree in Agriculture, as well as Master's and Doctoral degrees in Seed Science and Technology from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University. His doctoral studies were supported by DST-SERB sponsored project. At present, Dr. S. Venkatesan working as Research Associate at the Directorate of Research, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore. His currently working in metabolomics in traditional varieties, biodiesel from forest seeds and seed germination improvement in dormant varieties. He has published more than 30 papers in scopus and web of science indexed journals, 15 book chapters and 8 awards from reputed institutes.

E. Somasundaram serves as the Director of Agri Business Development at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore. He is also a member of the ICAR National Committee responsible for developing the syllabus and course content for undergraduate and postgraduate programs on Natural Farming. He completed his B.Sc. (Ag.) at Annamalai University with distinction. He did his M.Sc. (Ag.) and Ph.D. in Agronomy with specalization in organic farming at AC&RI of TNAU, Coimbatore. He passed M.Sc. (Ag.) with university rank and won S.R.P.P. Chettiar Gold Medal and Shield, A.C Mudaliar and Rao Saheb Murugesa Mudaliar awards for the best M.Sc. (Ag.). Student of the University. He also won PPIC Gold Medal for the best M.Sc. (Ag.) Thesis, and IOB Gold medal for the best M.Sc. (Ag.) Student in Agronomy. He was awarded the ICAR Junior Fellowship for pursuing M.Sc. (Ag.). He was a recipient of the Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund award for the year 1992 for his academic excellence. He Passed Ph.D., with Prof. Subramanian and Dr.K.K.Subbiah awards for the best Student in Agronomy. He also received Shri. T.Konda Reddy award for Agronomy from Madras Agricultural Students Union and TNAU Best Researcher award. He has held several key positions at TNAU, including PRO, Chief Agronomist, and Professor & Head of the Department of Sustainable Organic Agriculture. With over twenty years of experience teaching undergraduate &postgraduate students, he has authored 160 research publications, 12 books and numerous popular articles. He manages various schemes with a total budget of Rs.5.51 crores, funded by both government and private institutions. He visited countries such as the USA, China, Japan, Thailand, and Malaysia for presenting his research findings. In addition to his teaching, he continues to mentor and guide postgraduate and Ph.D. students, having also supervised one postdoctoral fellow.

Chapter 1.Natural farming: Concept and importance 
    1.1.Definition of Natural Farming 
    1.2.Modern agriculture 
    1.3.Need for alternate farming 
    1.4.Concept 
    1.5.Scope 
    1.6.Importance 
    1.7.Principles 
    1.8.Components 
    1.9.Benefits 
    1.10.History in India 
    1.11.Organic and Natural Farming Systems 
    1.12.Comparison of Conventional, Organic, and Natural Farming Systems 
    1.13.Current scenario of Natural Farming in India Indus Civilization
    1.14.Challenges & Way forward 
    1.15.Key Global and Indian Best Practices
Chapter 2.Types of Natural Farming
    2.1.Fukuoka Farming 
    2.2.Zero Budget Natural Farming 
    2.3.Biodynamic farming 
    2.4.Homa farming (Agnihotra)
    2.5.Yogic Agriculture 
    2.6.Rishi krishi 
Chapter 3.Law of nature – Vedic era
    3.1.Ṛta 
    3.2.Dharma 
    3.3.Prakriti 
    3.4.Yajña 
    3.5.Pancha Mahabhuta 
    3.6.Primary Vedic References 
    3.7.Natural laws in agriculture 
Chapter 4.Pancha Mahabhuta  
    4.1.Etymology 
    4.2.Evolution of Panchamahabhutas 
    4.3.Influence of Nyaya–Vaisheshika Darshanas 
    4.4.Properties of Panchamahabhutas
    4.5.Role of Panchamahabhutas in Human Constitution
    4.6.Scientific Interpretation and Modern Correlations 
    4.7.Pancha Mahabhuta role in Agriculture 
Chapter 5.Agroecology
    5.1.Principles 
    5.2.Elements 
    5.3.Importance 
    5.4.History of agroecology
    5.5.SDG goals & agroecology
Chapter 6.Management practices in natural farming
    6.1.Management practices 
    6.2.Natural farming practices for crops 
Chapter 7.Natural farming practices 
    7.1.Seed 
    7.2.Weed management 
    7.3.Pest management
    7.4.Disease Management
    7.5.Soil health management
    7.6.Scientific Aspects of Natural Farming
Chapter 8.Biodiversity
    8.1.Types of Biodiversity 
    8.2.Mega-Diversity Regions 
    8.3.India’s Biodiversity 
    8.4.Loss of Biodiversity 
    8.5.Categories of Threat (IUCN)
    8.6.Strategies for Biodiversity Conservation
    8.7.Conservation of Biodiversity
    8.8.Significance of Biodiversity
    8.9.Advantages of Biodiversity
Chapter 9.Climate Resilient Agriculture 
    9.1.Impact of Climate Change on Agriculture 
    9.2.Key Climate-Resilient Agricultural Practices 
    9.3.Climate-Resilient Crops 
    9.4.Government Initiatives to Support CRA
    9.5.Climate Resilient Agricultural Practices by FAO
    9.6.Key Challenges
    9.7.Way Forward
Chapter 10.Indigenous farming systems 
    10.1.Key Characteristics 
    10.2.Indigenous farming systems in India
    10.3.Indigenous farming systems around the World 
    10.4.Examples of GIAHS 
    10.5.Major farming systems in East Asia and Pacific 
    10.6.Major farming systems in South Asia 
    10.7.Major farming systems in Eastern Europe and Central Asia 
    10.8.Major farming systems in Middle East and North Africa 
    10.9.Major farming systems in Sub-Saharan Africa 
    10.10.Major farming systems in Latin America and Caribbean 
Chapter 11.Government schemes, Start-ups & Digital India 
    11.1.ZBNF in 2019 Union Budget 
    11.2.Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY)
    11.3.Bharatiya Prakritik Krishi Paddhati (BPKP)
    11.4.National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF)
    11.5.State-Level Initiatives 
    11.6.Top Start-ups 
    11.7.Digital India in Agriculture 
Chapter 12.Natural farming certification 
Chapter 13.Success stories