Despite the fact that no large-scale scientific study has yet provided proof of ZBNF's effectiveness, Agrawal stated that the growing number of farmers adopting the method, particularly in Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh, indicated that they had experienced its benefits. "Just because something is unproven doesn't mean it's bad. Although scientific studies have not been completed, it is being proven in the field. "It's the farmers' own practices that are demonstrating this," he said.

Andhra Pradesh has the highest ambition of the eight states that have submitted proposals for support under the Centre's Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana, bringing one lakh additional hectares of land under ZBNF, followed by Chhattisgarh and Gujarat.

The ZBNF method is intended to lower input costs by eliminating the need for costly fertilizers and pesticides, as well as to protect soil health and conserve water resources.

Senior agricultural scientists were also concerned about a wholesale shift to unproven methods. The Indian Council for Agricultural Research is conducting ongoing studies on the impact of ZBNF methods on productivity, economics, and soil health at multiple locations in northwestern India's grain basket States, but has yet to release any results.

Source: Krishi Jagran