Zero Budget Natural Farming in the Era of Climate Crisis: A Multidimensional Framework for Sustainable Agricultural Transformation in India

Abstract

This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) as a transformative paradigm in sustainable agriculture, integrating ecological, economic, and social dimensions to address the shortcomings of conventional chemical-intensive farming. Through a synthesis of advanced theoretical frameworks, empirical evidence, and policy analysis, this research demonstrates how ZBNF aligns with agroecological principles, responds to systemic challenges in conventional agriculture, and offers scalable solutions for climate resilience, food security, and rural livelihoods. The study incorporates multidimensional sustainability assessment methodologies, ecosystem services valuation, agroecological transition models, and novel integrative frameworks to provide a nuanced, evidence-based evaluation of ZBNF's prospects and challenges. Our theoretical innovation includes the development of the ZBNF Adaptive Transformation Model (ZATM), which integrates sustainability transitions theory, complex adaptive systems thinking, and political ecology perspectives to analyze ZBNF's multidimensional impacts across scales. Findings from our mixed-methods research suggest that while ZBNF shows significant potential for enhancing farmer autonomy, environmental regeneration, and climate resilience, challenges remain in yield optimization, scientific validation, and scalability across diverse agroecological contexts. The paper contributes to the scholarly discourse by developing an innovative theoretical synthesis positioning ZBNF within contemporary sustainability science, providing methodological advances for assessing agroecological transitions, and offering practical recommendations for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers engaging with ZBNF and similar approaches globally.