“Natural Farming”

Natural Farming is an umbrella term for a few different systems that use low-cost, easily available inputs to increase farmer’s yields and profitability. This is especially helpful to small farmers in the global south and across the world. One version, Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) in India has achieved considerably promising results in the state of Andhra Pradesh , in many cases doubling farmer profitability while also enhancing yields up to 40% depending on the crop. The United Nations Environment Program is assisting the Andhra Pradesh government and this UNEP video provides an excellent introduction to their achievements, helping farmers completely eliminate synthetic and chemical inputs, while improving yields, soil health and sequestering carbon. Truly remarkable stuff.

Perhaps the most famous system of natural farming is what is often known is Korean Natural Farming (KNF) in the West. It has been making rapid headways in the United States thanks to some pioneering farmers and knowledge disseminators. Leading among them is Chris Trump - a student of Master Cho - who converted his father’s 850 acre macadamia nut orchard to a KNF system from a conventional (& “conventional organic” system for part of the acreage) with mouth watering results for plant health and yields. Chris’ farm is far more profitable today than when under chemical management. At Drawdown Farm we are inspired by Nigel Palmer, Chris Trump, Drake Weiner and other’s making KNF accessible.

KNF caries enormous potential to revolutionize both small and largescale agriculture. Mixed with other regenerative techniques it could help eliminate chemical agriculture, feed the world, increase rural (& overall societal) prosperity, nutrient density of foods and stave off the 6th mass extinction.