Posted On:March 13, 2026

Organic farming is becoming popular in India as farmers look for safe and sustainable ways to grow crops. In this method, chemical fertilizers and pesticides are avoided, and natural inputs are used to maintain soil health.

The main types of organic farming include pure organic farming, integrated organic farming, natural farming (ZBNF), biodynamic farming, and organic aquaculture systems. With support from schemes like Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana, states such as Sikkim and Madhya Pradesh are leading the growth of organic farming in India. This guide explains these types and the techniques for farmers.

Types of Organic Farming in India

Here are the main types of organic farming in India, the inputs used in each method, the farm scale, and the states where these practices are commonly followed.

Type of Organic Farming	Main Inputs Used	Farm Size / Cost
Pure Organic Farming	Uses natural inputs like compost and bio-pesticides. No chemical fertilizers or pesticides are used.	Mostly practised on small farms. The cost is moderate because farmers prepare natural inputs.
Integrated Organic Farming	Uses farm resources such as crop waste, animal manure, and livestock together to support farming.	Suitable for medium to large farms. Requires low external inputs because most resources come from the farm itself.
Natural Farming (ZBNF)	Uses natural solutions made from desi cow products such as Jeevamrut and Beejamrut.	Best for small farms and very low-cost farming because most inputs are locally available.
Biodynamic Farming	Uses special herbal and natural preparations to improve soil health and plant growth.	Usually practiced on small farms and requires good knowledge and careful management.
Organic-Aquaculture Farming	Combines crop farming with fish farming in the same field or water system.	Suitable for wetland farming areas and helps farmers earn income from both crops and fish.

1. Pure Organic Farming

Pure organic farming is the most traditional form of organic farming. In this system, farmers use only natural inputs such as compost, farmyard manure, green manure, and bio-pesticides.

Chemical fertilisers, synthetic pesticides, and genetically modified seeds are completely avoided.

State- Sikkim (India’s first fully organic state, where all farmland follows organic practices)

Year- The organic farming movement began in 2003 when chemical fertilisers were banned.

Features

Uses natural fertilizers like compost and vermicompost
Uses bio-pesticides and herbal sprays
Focuses on traditional farming practices
Maintains soil fertility naturally

2. Integrated Organic Farming

Integrated organic farming is a holistic farming system where crops, livestock, poultry, and sometimes fish farming are combined. The waste from one activity becomes input for another.

For example, cow dung from livestock is used to make manure, which improves soil fertility for crops.

States- Sikkim, Uttarakhand, Tripura

Year- Started in the early 2000s as a modern and sustainable farming approach.

Features

Combines crops, livestock, poultry, and fisheries
Uses farm waste as natural fertilizer
Reduces the need for external inputs
Improves farm productivity and income

3. Natural Farming (ZBNF / SPNF)

Natural farming is a low-cost organic farming system developed by Subhash Palekar. It is also called Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) because farmers can grow crops with very low input costs.

This system mainly uses products made from desi cow dung and urine, such as Jeevamrut and Beejamrut.

States- Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh

Year- In the mid 1990s, by Subhash Palekar in Karnataka, and later expanded widely in Andhra Pradesh.

Features

Very low farming cost
No chemical fertilizers or pesticides
Uses cow-based natural inputs
Focuses on soil microbes and natural processes

4. Biodynamic Farming

Biodynamic farming is a special type of organic farming that treats the farm as a living ecosystem. It uses herbal preparations, compost mixtures, and follows natural cycles such as lunar phases. Although this method is not very common in India, it is slowly growing in hill states.

States- Kerala, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttarakhand

Year- Introduced in the early 1990s and started by T.G.K. Menon, who conducted training workshops for Indian farmers.

Features

Uses herbal compost preparations
Follows lunar and natural cycles
Improves soil fertility naturally
Focuses on ecological balance

5. Integrated Organic-Aquaculture Farming

In this system, crop farming is combined with fish farming. One common example is the paddy-fish system, where fish are raised in rice fields.

Fish help control pests and weeds, while their waste acts as natural fertilizer for crops.

State- Sikkim (first organic fish cluster started in Soreng district)

Year- Recently launched in 2025 under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) to promote organic fish farming.

Features

Combines rice farming with fish culture
Efficient use of water resources
Provides both grain and protein production
Increases farmer income

This system is common in wetland regions such as Assam and Manipur.

Techniques Used in Organic Farming

Different types of organic farming use similar natural techniques to maintain soil health and improve crop production.

Crop Rotation: Growing different crops in different seasons to maintain soil nutrients, improve soil health, and reduce pests and weeds.
Composting and Mulching: Using decomposed organic waste and plant materials to improve soil fertility and retain moisture.
Green Manure: Growing special crops like clover or sunhemp and mixing them into the soil to add natural nutrients.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM): Controlling pests using natural methods such as beneficial insects, traps, and bio-pesticides like neem oil instead of chemicals.
Mixed Farming: Combining crop farming with livestock so that animal manure can be used as natural fertilizer, creating a sustainable farming system

Conclusion

Organic farming is a sustainable way to grow crops while protecting soil health and the environment. Different types of organic farming, such as pure organic farming, integrated farming, natural farming, biodynamic farming, and organic-aquaculture systems, allow farmers to choose methods that suit their land and resources.

Start your organic farming journey with the support of SV Agro Solutions' organic fertilizers. Our research-based organic inputs help improve soil health, increase nutrient availability, and support healthy crop growth. The company also provides expert guidance to farmers from sowing to harvest, helping them achieve higher yields with sustainable farming practices.

FAQs

1. How does ZBNF differ from pure organic farming?

ZBNF focuses on very low-cost farming using cow-based inputs, while pure organic farming may use purchased organic inputs like compost and bio-fertilizers.