A two-year field experiment (2018–19 and 2019–20) was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with a spacing of 60 × 45 cm involving three replications with ten treatments having cow manurial amendments along with integrated nutrient management in a plot size of 3.0 m × 1.8 m. The effect of the integration of cow manurial amendments and mineral fertilizers on soil fertility, nutrient uptake, yield, and economics of broccoli was studied. The experiment was laid out during the rabi season in the mid-hills of Himachal Pradesh. T₈ [90% RDN (112.5 N: 67.5 P: 46.8 K kg/ha) + 5% jeevamrit (1.5 l/m2) + 5% jeevamrit foliar spray] obtained the greatest organic carbon (20.93 g kg⁻¹), available N (375.13 kg ha⁻¹), P (48.46 kg ha⁻¹), K (260.53 kg ha⁻¹) in the soil as well as more uptake of N (60.58 kg ha⁻¹), P (7.25 kg ha⁻¹) and K (37.88 g ha⁻¹) by the plants. Further, this treatment obtained the greatest value for yield (186.77 q ha⁻¹ and 12.44 kg plot⁻¹), net income (₹ 245840) and cost-benefit ratio (1.93). Outcomes of this investigation suggested that combined usage of cow manure, jeevamrit, beejamrit, and ghanjeevamrit with inorganic fertilizers proved to be useful for enhancing soil health, increasing nutrient uptake, and ensuring sustainable production of broccoli.

Agro-ecological farming practices that integrate economic viability and environmental resilience, based on principles designed to support optimal food and nutritional security in farming systems. This study compares Natural Farming (NF) and Conventional Farming (CF) in apple orchards of Himachal Pradesh by using agro-ecological indicators to assess soil health, pest management, and profitability. The research was conducted across the High Hills Temperate Wet (Zone III) and Dry Temperate High Hills (Zone IV). A total of 140 farm (70 under Natural Farming and 70 under Conventional Farming) were sampled by using simple random sampling method and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was used to analyze the interrelationships among soil nutrient status, pest and disease incidence, and farm profitability. The results revealed that NF had higher organic carbon (OC) levels, ranging from 0.84 to 1.95%, compared to CF, which ranged from 0.53 to 1.91%. NF also exhibited higher nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and micronutrient levels, while potassium (K) levels were lower. Pest incidence was significantly higher in NF, with Woolly Apple Aphid (50.08%) and Leaf Folder (41%) infestations, compared to CF (17.5 and 5.5%, respectively). NF also showed a 1.59% increase in yield (161.25 quintals/ha) and a 46.76% reduction in total variable costs. Structural equation modeling (SEM) identified key pathways linking farming practices to soil quality, yield performance, and economic outcomes. The analysis revealed that organic matter positively influenced microbial activity (0.05), thereby enhancing soil fertility. SEM findings also highlighted the importance of balanced nutrient management for sustaining both productivity and profitability. These results underscore NF’s capacity to support agro-ecological indicators by enhancing both economic and environmental resilience, while encouraging long-term nutritional security through this agro-ecological supported system. This research provides compelling evidence for adopting NF as a transformative approach in apple farming systems.

Consumers can receive guarantees through the certified evaluation tool of agriculture resources analysis of natural farming (CETARA NF) without having to deal with costly third-party certification's entry obstacles or complex participatory guarantee systems. The purpose of this study is to examine the reasons for farmers' engagement in CETARA-NF as well as their experiences and results. 400 farmers randomly interviewed from 4 agroclimatic zones using the well-structured questionnaire from a 135,000 certified farmers list. Most farmers fall under the Two Star category (61.5%), followed by One Star (28.5%) and Three Star (10%). The findings imply that 61 per cent of farmers are transitioning towards natural farming as these farmers have minimised or eliminated the chemical use in their farming practices. Significant factors of adoption for this certification system were increased marketed quantity, chemical fertiliser cost and no certification cost. Also, market access (Rank 1), no cost of certification (Rank 2) and women friendly (Rank 3) recognised as the major advantages of this certification. CETARA-NF can be an alternative certification solution for smallholders by securing the integration of grassroots agroecological cooperation and customs inside natural farming systems, thereby overcoming certification barriers.

Himachal Pradesh is a mountainous province of India situated in the Himalaya region, Himalayan region has rich biodiversity and is an economically important region of India. Most of the population in this region lives in rural areas and livelihood mainly depend upon agriculture, whereas most of the farmers are small and marginal, such as 89 per cent population of Himachal Pradesh lives in rural area and 87 per cent of farmers are marginal and small also 65 per cent of the workforce of the total population are involved in agricultural allied sectors. For the development of agriculture and rural economy an initiative has been taken to promote sustainable agricultural practices in Himachal Pradesh by promotion for natural farming. The current study was conducted in Sirmaur district of Himachal Pradesh, with a sample of 60 farmers using simple random sampling. The study mainly focused on the NF cropping system, which claims to contribute to sustainable agriculture (Agro ecology) in many ways i.e., climate resilient farming, livestock friendly, soil health, healthy nutritious food, chemical free farming and sustainable farming. NF is also reported as the most cost-effective farming and also known as “Zero Budget Natural Farming.” NF focuses mainly on lowering agricultural costs, improving food quality, chemical-free food, soil fertility and food & nutritional security. As a result, it is essential to determine the economic evaluation of crop production in terms of Natural Farming and Chemical Farming techniques in order to enable farmers to embrace sustainable farming. Therefore, the comparative economics of Natural Farming and Chemical Farming (Conventional Farming) and resource use efficiency were analysed. From the sample study, it has been found that the major crops grown under NF crop combination were Cereals-Pulses-Vegetables (Kharif 14% and Rabi 157%), Cereals-Vegetables (Kharif 25% and Rabi 14%), Vegetables (107%), Sugarcane-Vegetables-Turmeric (92%) and Cereals-Vegetables-Oil (124%) had high Crop Equivalent Yield (CEY) as compared to CF crops also NF Farmers received high returns per hectare. NF farmers were using resources very efficiently, which indicates that there is still a possibility of a rise in income from the adoption of natural farming through the use of own capital and a stronger marketing method. It can be concluded that cultivation by natural farming methods has been found to be productive.

Objective: This study evaluates the comparative impact of Natural Farming (NF) and Conventional Farming (CF) on soil health and economic outcomes in apple orchards across two agro-climatic zones in Himachal Pradesh, India. Findings: Soil analysis showed improved health under NF systems. Organic carbon levels were higher in NF soils, reaching 26.10 g kg⁻¹ in Zone III and 12.50 g kg⁻¹ in Zone IV. NF also maintained more favorable pH and lower electrical conductivity. Available nitrogen and phosphorus were consistently higher in NF, with nitrogen up to 522 kg ha⁻¹ and phosphorus up to 198.26 kg ha⁻¹. Potassium levels were slightly higher in CF. Micronutrient concentrations—including zinc, copper, iron, and manganese—were significantly greater in NF soils, with maximum values of 9.67 mg kg⁻¹ for zinc, 12.15 mg kg⁻¹ for copper, 91.25 mg kg⁻¹ for iron, and 14.84 mg kg⁻¹ for manganese, compared to notably lower values in CF. Economically, NF farmers practiced more diverse intercropping systems such as Apple + Vegetables, Apple + Pulses, and Apple + Pea, whereas CF focused mainly on Apple + Pea and Apple + Kidney Beans. The Apple + Vegetables combination under NF resulted in a 31.29% increase in net returns and a 27.55% reduction in production costs, primarily due to the elimination of chemical inputs. Implications: NF improves soil quality, enhances farm profitability, and reduces dependence on synthetic inputs. These results support the need for targeted policies, including subsidies, training, and awareness campaigns, to promote NF and ensure sustainable apple farming in the region.