Comparative Study of Green Gram Cultivation under Natural Farming and Recommended Practices in Villages of Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh

This research investigates the comparative effectiveness of green gram (Vigna radiata) cultivation under two distinct agricultural paradigms—natural farming and conventional recommended practices—in the semi-arid agro-climatic conditions of Rampur and Sahrai villages in Gwalior district, Madhya Pradesh. The natural farming system was based on Subhash Palekar’s Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) model, which emphasizes the use of indigenous and eco-friendly inputs derived from cow-based formulations. Key components included Beejamrit for seed treatment to enhance germination and resistance to soil-borne diseases; Jeevamrit and Ghanjeevamrit as microbial-rich liquid and solid bio-inputs to enrich soil fertility and stimulate plant growth; and Neemastra, a botanical formulation, for the biological management of pests. In contrast, the recommended package of practices followed standard agronomic protocols involving the application of synthetic fertilizers (NPK) and chemical pesticides for nutrient and pest management.Field trials were conducted using a randomized block design to evaluate various agronomic and economic parameters including germination percentage, plant height at different growth stages, pest and disease incidence, overall yield per hectare, input cost, and net economic returns. The findings indicated that although the recommended practices yielded slightly higher grain output, the natural farming system showed a significant reduction in pest infestation and input costs. This resulted in a notably higher benefit-cost (B:C) ratio for the natural farming plots compared to those managed with conventional inputs.These results highlight the potential of natural farming not only as an environmentally sustainable option but also as a cost-effective model particularly suited for smallholder and marginal farmers. The study concludes that adoption of ZBNF techniques can contribute to improving farm resilience, reducing dependency on external inputs, and promoting long-term soil health, thereby aligning with the broader goals of sustainable and inclusive agricultural development in India’s dryland regions.