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Natural Farming vs Organic Farming: Understanding the Difference
Walk into a natural farm and you may see something very different from a conventional agricultural field.
There may be a diversity of trees and crops instead of a single crop.
The soil may be covered with leaves and mulch.
Compost may be returning kitchen and farm waste to the earth.
Bees may be moving between flowering plants.
Birds may be feeding among the trees.
And instead of relying primarily on synthetic agricultural inputs, the farmer may be working with natural biological processes.
This approach is often called natural farming.
Another term that has become increasingly familiar is organic farming.
The two approaches have much in common. Both seek to reduce dependence on synthetic agricultural inputs and encourage healthier soils and ecosystems. But they are not identical.
Understanding the difference helps us appreciate the different ways farmers can work toward more sustainable agriculture.
At Prakruti Farms near Bangalore, our farming practices are inspired by natural farming, permaculture and ecological principles. Our aim is to work with the land and its natural cycles while maintaining a productive and biodiverse farm.
Let's understand the two approaches.
What is Organic Farming?
Organic farming is an agricultural system that emphasizes the use of naturally derived inputs and management practices while restricting or excluding many synthetic fertilizers, pesticides and other inputs.
Organic agriculture can include practices such as:
Composting
Crop rotation
Green manuring
Cover crops
Biological pest management
Organic amendments
Livestock integration
Soil conservation
Organic farming can be practiced at many different scales — from a small vegetable garden to a large commercial farm. An important feature of organic agriculture is that it can operate within defined standards and certification systems.
Certified organic farms generally need to follow specific requirements regarding permitted inputs, prohibited substances, production methods, records and inspection.
So, organic farming can be both a farming philosophy and a regulated production system, depending on the context.
What is Natural Farming?
Natural farming takes a different philosophical starting point.
Rather than focusing primarily on replacing synthetic agricultural inputs with approved natural or organic inputs, natural farming seeks to minimize external inputs and strengthen the farm's own biological processes. It recognizes nature as the supreme farmer and learns from observing nature and it's methods.
The emphasis is often on:
Living soil
Minimal soil disturbance
Mulching
Composting
Crop diversity
Maintaining living roots
Natural nutrient cycling
Biological pest management
Local resources
Integration of diverse plants and animals
Observing natural seasons and patterns
Water management through swales, ground water recharge and many other methods
Observation of natural ecosystems
In India, several approaches are described as natural farming, including systems influenced by practitioners such as Masanobu Fukuoka from Japan, permaculture inspired by Bill Mollison and Indian natural farming traditions associated with Subhash Palekar. The exact practices can vary considerably between farms.
The Fundamental Difference
One simple way to understand the distinction is this:
Organic farming asks:"Which inputs and practices can be used to grow food without relying on prohibited synthetic inputs?"
Natural farming asks:"How can we design the farm so that nature performs more of the work?"
These aren't opposing questions.
In fact, there is considerable overlap between the two.
But the emphasis is different.
Organic farming can still involve purchased fertilizers, approved pesticides, irrigation systems and other external inputs.
Natural farming generally tries to reduce external dependence and making the farm self- reliant by building biological cycles within the farm itself.
Organic Does Not Mean Chemical Free
This is an important distinction.
The word organic is sometimes interpreted to mean that absolutely no pesticides or other crop-protection products are used.
That isn't necessarily the case.
Organic agriculture can permit certain substances and crop-protection methods under applicable standards.
Therefore, "organic" does not simply mean "nothing was ever applied to the crop."
The precise requirements depend on the certification standard being followed.
For consumers, this is why it is useful to distinguish between:
A farmer who follows organic practices
A farm that follows a particular natural farming system
A certified organic farm
A product that carries a recognized organic certification
These are not necessarily interchangeable descriptions.
Natural Farming and the Soil
The soil is at the centre of natural farming.
As we discussed in our previous article, soil is not simply a growing medium. It is a living ecosystem containing micro-organisms, fungi, earthworms, roots and other organisms.
Natural farming seeks to create conditions in which this ecosystem can function effectively.
Common practices include:
Keeping Soil Covered
Mulch protects the soil from excessive heat, evaporation and erosion while gradually contributing organic matter.
Minimizing Disturbance
Reducing unnecessary tillage can help protect soil structure and biological habitats.
Maintaining Living Roots
Living plants continuously interact with the soil through their roots.
Returning Organic Matter
Leaves, crop residues and other suitable organic materials can be returned to the soil.
Encouraging Diversity
Different plants support different ecological relationships and occupy different parts of the soil profile.
The Role of Compost
Compost is important in both organic and natural farming systems, although the philosophy behind its use may differ.
Composting transforms organic waste into a stable material that can be returned to the soil.
At a farm such as Prakruti Farms, composting can help close the nutrient cycle:
Plant material → Compost → Soil → Plants → Plant material
Instead of treating leaves, crop residues and biodegradable waste as something to dispose of, they become resources.
This is a fundamental principle of ecological farming.
What is Jeevamrutha?
One traditional natural farming input that is widely discussed in India is Jeevamrutha.
It is commonly prepared using ingredients such as:
Cow dung
Cow urine
Pulse flour
Jaggery
Soil
Water
The mixture is fermented and applied according to the farming system being followed.
Natural farming practitioners use Jeevamrutha primarily as a biological soil input intended to support microbial activity.
At Prakruti Farms, traditional natural farming inputs form part of our broader approach to nurturing soil biology.
It is important, however, not to view Jeevamrutha as a universal substitute for every nutrient a crop might require. Soil fertility is influenced by the whole system—including organic matter, mineral composition, crop selection, water management and biological activity.
Natural Pest Management
Both organic and natural farming seek alternatives to routine use of synthetic pesticides.
But natural farming places particular emphasis on creating an ecosystem in which pest populations can be naturally regulated by pest predator and repellants.
This can involve:
Plant diversity
Companion planting
Flowering plants
Aromatic plants
Beneficial insects
Birds
Mulching
Healthy soil
Appropriate crop selection
For example, a flowering plant may attract beneficial insects that prey on crop pests.
Birds may feed on insects.
Different plants can interrupt the spread of pests that thrive in monocultures.
Instead of asking only:
"How do I kill this pest?"
the farmer can also ask:
"Why has this pest become abundant, and what ecological relationships could help bring it back into balance?"
Companion Planting
Companion planting is another practice that fits naturally into ecological farming.
Certain plants can be grown together because they have complementary characteristics.
A flowering plant may attract pollinators.
A strongly aromatic plant may influence insect behaviour.
A nitrogen-fixing plant may contribute to the nutrient cycle.
A ground cover may protect exposed soil.
The objective is not necessarily that every plant has a scientifically proven "companion," but rather to design diverse plant communities that perform multiple functions.
This concept will be explored in greater detail in a future Prakruti Farms article.
Natural Farming and Permaculture
Natural farming and permaculture are closely related, but they are not the same thing.
Natural farming primarily describes an approach to agricultural production that seeks to work with natural processes and minimize external inputs.
Permaculture is a broader design framework.
Permaculture can be used to design:
Farms
Gardens
Homes
Water systems
Communities
Food forests
Waste-management systems
The principles of permaculture can therefore incorporate natural farming practices.
At Prakruti Farms, these ideas come together through our approach to food forests, soil health, biodiversity, water management, composting and natural farming.
Organic Farming vs Natural Farming: A Practical Comparison
Aspect | Organic Farming | Natural Farming |
Primary emphasis | Farming with permitted organic practices and inputs | Working with natural ecological processes and minimizing external inputs |
Synthetic fertilizers | Generally excluded under organic standards | Generally avoided |
Synthetic pesticides | Restricted or excluded depending on standard | Generally avoided |
Compost | Commonly used | Commonly used |
Mulching | Commonly used | Strong emphasis |
Soil disturbance | Can vary by farming system | Generally seeks minimal disturbance |
External inputs | May still be used | Seeks to minimize them |
Biological activity | Important | Central to the approach |
Certification | Can be formally certified | Practices themselves do not automatically imply certification |
Farm design | Can range from monoculture to diverse systems | Often emphasizes diversity and ecological relationships |
The table describes broad tendencies rather than universal rules. Individual farms and certification standards can differ.
Can a Farm Be Both Organic and Natural?
Yes.
A farm can follow natural farming practices while also meeting the requirements of an organic certification system, provided its practices comply with the relevant standard.
The two approaches are not mutually exclusive.
A farm may, for example:
Avoid synthetic fertilizers
Use compost
Maintain biodiversity
Protect soil
Use biological pest management
Reduce soil disturbance
Recycle organic matter
and simultaneously follow the requirements of an applicable organic standard.
The key distinction is between farming practices and certification status.
A farm should not claim to be "certified organic" unless it actually holds the relevant certification.
Why Biodiversity Matters
A natural ecosystem is rarely dominated by one species.
There are trees, shrubs, herbs, insects, birds, fungi, micro-organisms and animals interacting continuously.
Agricultural systems can learn from this diversity.
At Prakruti Farms, biodiversity is encouraged through a mix of:
Fruit trees
Flowering plants
Herbs
Aromatic species
Medicinal plants
Ground covers
Climbers
Coconut and areca nut trees
Roots and tubers
Native and other useful species
This diversity creates different habitats and food sources for wildlife.
Our apiary also forms part of this ecological picture, with bees interacting with flowering plants throughout the farm.
Farming as a Closed-Loop System
One of the most powerful ideas in natural farming is to reduce the distinction between "waste" and "resource."
Consider a simple farm cycle:
Trees → Leaves → Compost/Mulch → Soil → Plants → Food → Organic Waste → Compost
Animals can also be part of the cycle:
Plants → Animal Feed → Manure → Compost → Soil → Plants
Every step toward closing nutrient cycles can reduce dependence on external resources.
What Natural Farming Does Not Mean
Natural farming should not be confused with simply leaving a field unattended.
A natural farm still requires:
Planning
Observation
Planting
Water management
Pruning
Mulching
Composting
Pest observation
Harvesting
Soil management
The difference is that the farmer attempts to manage ecological processes rather than replace them entirely with external inputs.
A successful natural farm can therefore be highly managed while still being deeply inspired by nature.
The Prakruti Farms Approach
At Prakruti Farms, our farming philosophy draws from permaculture, natural farming and traditional agricultural knowledge.
Our 5-acre farm is designed as a diverse ecosystem rather than a conventional monoculture plantation.
We use practices such as:
Natural mulching
Composting
Organic matter recycling
Jeevamrutha and other natural inputs
Diverse planting
Food-forest principles
Pollinator-friendly plants
Integration of trees and understory vegetation
Natural pest-management approaches
The farm is also home to an apiary, farm animals and a wide variety of plants.
For us, farming is not only about producing something from the land.
It is about building a relationship with the land.
Which Approach Should You Choose?
There is no single farming method that is appropriate for every piece of land.
The right approach depends on:
Climate
Soil
Water availability
Crop
Farm size
Labour
Market
Farmer knowledge
Local resources
Certification requirements
Economic objectives
What matters is understanding the principles behind the system rather than adopting terminology without understanding the practices.
A farmer can begin by improving soil health, reducing unnecessary chemical inputs, increasing biodiversity, conserving water and returning organic matter to the land.
These are useful steps regardless of the label applied to the farm.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is natural farming the same as organic farming?
No. There is substantial overlap, but natural farming generally emphasizes ecological processes and minimizing external inputs, while organic farming is a broader agricultural system that can also be governed by formal standards and certification.
Is natural farming chemical-free?
Natural farming generally seeks to avoid synthetic agricultural chemicals, but "chemical-free" is not a technically precise description because everything — including water, air and natural substances — is made of chemicals. You might say that it is free from lab made artificial chemicals.
Is organic food always pesticide-free?
Not necessarily. Organic standards may permit certain crop-protection substances and practices. The specific requirements depend on the applicable certification standard.
Does natural farming require cow dung and cow urine?
Not necessarily. Some Indian natural farming systems use cow-based inputs such as Jeevamrutha, but natural farming is a broader concept and practices vary.
Is natural farming suitable for commercial agriculture?
It can be, but results depend on crop, location, management, market and economic conditions. Farmers need to evaluate the approach for their particular production system.
Can I practice natural farming in my home garden?
Yes. Composting, mulching, diverse planting, soil protection, reduced soil disturbance and encouraging beneficial insects are all practices that can be adapted to a home garden.
Final Thoughts
The words organic, natural, sustainable, regenerative and permaculture are increasingly common in conversations about food and farming.
But the words matter less than the practices behind them.
Healthy soil.
Living roots.
Biodiversity.
Compost.
Mulch.
Pollinators.
Water conservation.
Nutrient recycling.
These are the building blocks of a healthier agricultural ecosystem.
At Prakruti Farms, our journey is guided by the belief that farming doesn't have to be a battle between humans and nature.
We can observe natural systems, learn from them and design farms that work with those systems.
That is the spirit behind our approach to natural farming.
Experience Natural Farming at Prakruti Farms
Come experience natural farming and permaculture firsthand at Prakruti Farms near Bangalore.
Walk through our food forest, explore our diverse plant life, learn about soil and natural farming, visit our apiary, meet our farm animals and spend time in a landscape designed around biodiversity and ecological living.
Visit: www.prakrutifarms.in
