A strategy to achieve sustainability via integrating livestock into natural farming: A review

Abstract

Indian agriculture faces critical challenges of soil degradation, declining fertility, dependency on chemical fertilizers and pesticides, climate vulnerability, and rising production costs. Natural farming, rooted in traditional Indian practices, offers a regenerative solution by restoring soil health, enhancing biodiversity, and minimizing external inputs. This approach mimics natural ecosystems by eliminating tillage, synthetic fertilizers, and weeding, relying instead on beneficial microorganisms to make soil nutrients accessible to plants. Central to natural farming is the role of indigenous cattle, regarded as “bio-reactors” that produce microbial-rich dung and urine essential for activating soil nutrients and supporting crop health. These inputs form the basis of biofertilizers like Beejamrut, Jivamrut, and Panchagavya, which enhance microbial populations, nutrient cycling, and plant immunity. Indigenous cow dung contains significantly higher populations of bacteria, fungi, and actinomycetes and nutrient content, including nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium than that of exotic or crossbreed cows, making it more effective for natural farming inputs. Cow urine from indigenous breeds contains unique bioactive metabolites that promote plant growth and pest resistance, which are less prevalent in exotic breeds. Integrating indigenous cattle in natural farming thus provides a sustainable, cost-effective, and ecologically balanced approach to address current agricultural problems and support rural livelihoods.