Name: Subhash Palekar
From: Maharashtra, India
Known for: Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF)
Subhash Palekar was born in a small farmer family in Maharashtra. His family, like many others, practiced traditional farming. But in the 1970s and 80s, Palekar adopted modern chemical farming methods as promoted by the Green Revolution.
At first, the results were good — higher yields, faster growth. But within a few years, he noticed something terrible: the soil was losing fertility, water demand increased, and input costs went up drastically. His once-profitable farm started becoming a financial burden.
Rather than give up, he began studying ancient Indian farming techniques and nature-based farming systems. After years of experimentation, he developed what he called Zero Budget Natural Farming — a system that eliminates chemical fertilizers and pesticides and focuses on natural inputs like cow dung, urine, neem, and soil microbes.
He started practicing it on his own farm and saw stunning results: high yields, healthy crops, and almost zero investment.
Subhash Palekar then began spreading this method across India. Today, thousands of farmers have shifted to ZBNF, especially in Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka.
Impact:
Crops became chemical-free and healthy.
Soil health improved.
Farming became profitable again.
Farmers were no longer dependent on loans or expensive inputs.
In 2016, he was awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India for his revolutionary contribution to farming.
—
Moral: Subhash Palekar’s story shows how one farmer’s observation and courage to challenge modern systems led to a nationwide movement that is changing Indian agriculture for the better.