Himachal Pradesh has shown encouraging signs of first harvest under Zero Budget Natural farming at Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry (UHF), Nauni.
The scientists of UHF involved with the Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) trials had undertaken the first harvesting of the crop planted under this model.
An official spokesperson of UHF said, “The encouraging results were witnessed recently with the first picking of peas was undertaken at the ZBNF farm falling under the Directorate of Research of the University.”
Based on the first harvest, the production was calculated to be around 5 quintals per acre, he said, adding that the team is expecting up to three pickings from the crop.
The University had started trails of ZBNF under the vision of Governor AcharyaDevvrat and the Chancellor of the University.
“The research team had planted two varieties of peas at the farm. The first variety was P-89 while the second variety, Azad-P1 was planted 15 days later. Both varieties has coriander as a border crop, which will also be ready for sale by the end of the week,” he added.
The seeds were treated with Bijamrit and irrigated, and Jivamrit was spayed after every 15 days of germination, said he.
The scientists are now evaluating the performance of the two varieties under this model, he added.
He informed that the harvested crop will now be sold to the locals and their feedback will be taken on the quality of the crop.
“Apart from peas, the university has also planted cauliflower, onion and fenugreek under the ZBNF model and these will be ready for harvest by the end of the month.
Various department of the university are also undertaking studies under this natural farming model in their research,” he said.