Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) is a farming method that aims to promote natural and sustainable farming practices. Here are the steps to do ZBNF farming:

1. Choose the right location: Look for a place with good soil, adequate sunlight, and access to water. Ensure that the soil is fertile and has good drainage.
2. Here you are supposed to feed the soil with …good bacteria so that it can feed the micro-organisms in the soil.
3. Ferment stuff to create Good Bacteria “WINE”: Mix 1KG each of cow dung, jaggery, gram flour, farm soil) with 10ltr of cow urine and water. Mix it and keep it covered under shade for 15 days. This 24 ltrs of liquid can be mixed with 10 ltrs of water. Before adding water remove 1 ltr of it to add to next batch of mix. (It is similar to the wine making/dough making process).
4. Spray or pour natural compost on the farm every 15th day as it matures. You can pour more or less but there will not be much difference.
5. Choose the crops: Select crops that are suitable for your area and season. Determine the quantity of crops you want to produce and the market demand for them.
6. SEEDS: Use HEIRLOOM variety of seeds these are traditional seeds passed down generations. These are mostly available with adivasis in the forests of India. Never take seeds from Government Institutes or Agencies. Sow the seeds according to the recommended spacing and depth. Water the plants regularly and provide them with nutrients.
7. DONT MONO CROP: The plant next to the plant should NEVER be of the same variety. Avoid growing large quantities for the market at least for the first 2 to 3 years. First be self sufficient. Also you will have a lot to learn.
8. If your soil & seed is healthy the plants will not develop any disease. Pests get attracted if you grow too many of the same variety.
9. Use natural pest control methods: Monitor your crops regularly for signs of pests and diseases. Use natural pest control methods such as neem oil, garlic and chilli spray, and cow urine spray.
10. NEVER REMOVE GRASS: Grass protects the soil from sunlight in hot weather and holds the soil in place like a net during rains & floods. It also drains the water underneath. Grass also keeps the soil wet by trapping millions of drops of dew drops early in the morning. You may trim the grass but never uproot it completely.
11. Mulch the soil: Mulch the soil with dried leaves, hay or straw to conserve soil moisture and suppress weed growth.
12. Avoid chemical fertilizers and pesticides: ZBNF does not use any chemical fertilizers, pesticides or herbicides. The focus is on using natural resources and methods to promote plant growth.
13. Harvest the crops: Harvest the crops at the right time. Clean and store them properly to ensure their quality.
14. Save seeds for the next season: A farmer without seed bank is not a farmer but just a laborer who has given up control on what seed he gets, what he grows, how he grows and what kind of fertilizers & pesticides he uses on the farm. It all begins with the seed. Those who control the seeds control the farm.
15. You can never be just a farmer you also need to have goats or cows or buffaloes on the farm along with hens & ducks. Each have their own role to play on the farm.
16. Take advantages of technologies like Biogas, Solar Power, WindMill & Rainwater harvesting.
17. Grow at least 50 different tree/plants/crops in 1 acre. It is possible to have 500 trees in 1 acre with enough place in between for growing crops.
18. Make 10% of the land a Pond (without any liner) to capture rainwater. All rain water on your farm should go in to the pond.
19. Stop depending upon the government and source things on your own. Even for loans because Loans are well designed traps prepared to get the farmer in debt. They will have to follow the procedure and policies laid out by the Banks & Insurance agencies that you will have no choice but leave ZBNF.
20. ZBNF does not mean you dont undergo any expenses on the farm. ZBNF means you do not have to have a recurring expenses. But you will need to pay for labour, equipement & tranportation.
21. Be active on at least these 3 social media tools: Instagram, Facebook, YouTube. At least post what you do and what you harvested. Mention your rates. Those interested will come to you.
22. Dont give more than 10% of farm produce as freebies. If you have more then feed it to your animals on the farm. That is why you need a big animal not just that tiny goat.

ALSO READ: How to farm – Quick Tips

ALSO READ: How to Farm – Detailed

ALSO READ: Free Agriculture Course Online

Remember that ZBNF farming requires patience and hard work. It may take time to establish a successful farm.

Zero Budget Natural Farming course Videos 1 to 36 (in English & Tamil):