Natural Farming and India’s Food Security: Why Going Back to Roots is the Way Forward

Maninder Singh Nayyar

As India works to feed a growing population in a world shaped by climate change, it has become more important than ever to rethink how we approach farming. Food security today is not just about growing enough; it also means doing it in a way that’s sustainable, nutritious, affordable, and better for the environment. In this situation, natural farming is proving to be a strong way forward. It’s not about holding on to the past; it’s a practical and thoughtful approach that can help fix the growing problems in our current food system.

The Current Crossroads

The Green Revolution in the 1960s helped India overcome a time when food was scarce. It increased crop production and made the country more self-reliant. However, over the years, the use of chemical-based farming has started to create serious problems. Soil quality has gone down, water levels are falling, and many useful plants and insects have disappeared. There is also rising concern about the health effects of chemical traces left in food. Many small farmers now rely on expensive fertilizers and pesticides, which often puts them in debt.

Farming has also become harder because of climate change. Unpredictable rains, extreme weather, and rising temperatures are making it more difficult to grow crops. India now produces more food than before, yet many people still don’t get enough nutrition. At the same time, the way this food is being grown is putting pressure on the environment. Natural farming offers a clear and practical solution to many of these issues.

What is Natural Farming?

Natural farming represents a philosophy rooted in ecological harmony. It is not merely a chemical-free version of agriculture; it is a holistic method that encourages farmers to work with nature, rather than try to control or override it. It promotes the use of farm-based and bio-derived inputs such as fermented plant extracts, composted organic matter, and microbial-rich solutions that nourish the soil without depleting its life. The emphasis is on regenerating soil health, increasing biodiversity, and reducing reliance on market-bought synthetic inputs.

This approach relies on the natural rhythms and cycles of the ecosystem. It avoids aggressive tilling, monocropping, and synthetic pesticides, instead encouraging crop diversity, minimal soil disturbance, and the reuse of organic waste. Natural farming is, at its core, a closed-loop system, where what comes from the earth goes back to it, forming a self-sustaining cycle.

The Link Between Natural Farming and Food Security

Food security today means more than just having enough to eat. It also depends on how nutritious the food is, whether farmers can afford to grow it, and whether the farming methods are safe for the environment. Natural farming supports all of these needs.

Crops grown naturally often have more nutrients because the soil they grow in is healthier. These crops also have fewer chemicals, which makes them safer to eat and matches what many people are now looking for—cleaner, healthier food. For farmers, natural farming reduces the need to buy expensive fertilizers and pesticides. This can help them save money and earn a better income, especially for those with small plots of land.

Natural farming also helps in dealing with climate change. It improves the soil’s ability to store carbon and hold water, making farms more resistant to droughts and extreme weather. In today’s changing climate, this kind of resilience is very important. Natural farming also uses waste from farms, animals, and even cities in a useful way. Instead of throwing this waste away, it becomes part of the farming process. This not only reduces pollution but also makes farming more efficient and sustainable.

Challenges and Opportunities

Despite its many benefits, natural farming cannot scale overnight. Transitioning from chemical-intensive farming requires not just training, but a mindset shift. Farmers need support during the initial phases when yields may fluctuate, and they need access to credible information, community-based infrastructure, and market recognition for the produce they grow naturally.

Government programs and grassroots movements in various parts of the country have demonstrated that this transformation is not only possible but practical. With the right institutional support, from public policy to farmer cooperatives, natural farming can become a viable mainstream model. It also opens up possibilities for rural entrepreneurship, especially in the development and distribution of bio-inputs, composting systems, and waste-to-resource technologies.

At its most effective, this model thrives when local knowledge is combined with scientific rigor, and when communities are empowered to take ownership of their soil, water, and food systems. As consumers become more health-conscious and environmentally aware, the market for naturally grown food is also steadily expanding, further reinforcing the viability of this approach.

The Way Forward

India’s farming story has always combined new ideas with traditional methods. Natural farming can be the next step forward. It uses age-old techniques along with today’s knowledge about healthy soil and the environment. This approach doesn’t mean giving up on technology or big farms. It means using them in ways that protect nature instead of damaging it. If we want to make sure everyone has enough good food in the future, just growing more is not enough. We need to grow food in a way that is safer, healthier, and better for the planet. Natural farming helps us do that. It keeps the soil healthy, supports farmers, and gives people cleaner food. Choosing this way of farming is not about going back in time. It’s about moving forward more smartly and responsibly, one that stays connected to the land that feeds us.

Maninder Singh Nayyar is the CEO and Founder of CEF Group