Prepared byDr. Sanath K. MunasingheManaging Director, Innovator, Natural ScientistBio Natural Foods (BNF)
1. IntroductionSri Lankan agriculture is currently facing severe long-term challenges due to excessive use of artificial fertilizers,poisonous agrochemicals, destruction of beneficial soil microorganisms, declining soil fertility, hardpan formation,environmental pollution, and increasing cultivation costs.For many years, cultivation systems mainly focused on directly feeding crops using external chemical inputs.Although this approach initially increased production, long-term excessive chemical dependency graduallyweakened the biological structure of agricultural soils.The BNF Advanced Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) philosophy was developed to restore soil biology andgradually convert agricultural lands into living ecological systems similar to natural forests.
2. What is BNF Bimsara?BNF Bimsara is a microbial-based soil activator and biological nutrient cycling system developed by Bio NaturalFoods (BNF).Unlike conventional fertilizers that mainly provide direct synthetic nutrients to plants, Bimsara focuses on restoringthe biological functioning of the soil ecosystem itself.The system is intended to:• Activate beneficial soil microorganisms• Improve nutrient cycling• Support decomposition of organic matter• Improve soil structure• Gradually restore natural soil fertilityHealthy agricultural soil naturally contains beneficial bacteria, fungi, decomposer organisms, and active nutrientcycling systems. Bimsara attempts to reactivate these biological functions naturally.
3. Beneficial Microbial Activity in BimsaraBNF Bimsara is associated with beneficial microbial groups such as:• Nitrogen-fixing microorganisms• Phosphate-solubilizing microbes• Potassium-releasing microorganisms• Organic matter decomposers• Rhizosphere-supporting beneficial microbesThese microorganisms may help decompose organic materials, convert nutrients into plant-available forms,improve root zone activity, and support long-term soil biological balance.
4. Philosophy of the BNF Advanced ZBNF SystemThe BNF Advanced ZBNF philosophy is based on one central idea:“Healthy agricultural soil should function like a natural forest ecosystem.
In forests:• No one applies chemical fertilizers• No one sprays pesticides• No one ploughs continuously• Yet forests remain fertile for hundreds of yearsThis occurs because forests maintain continuous organic matter recycling, microbial activity, biodiversity, andecological balance.
5. Soil Health as the Main ObjectiveThe primary objective of the BNF philosophy is improving soil health rather than forcing artificial plant growth.Healthy soil contains:• Active microorganisms• Balanced organic matter• Proper aeration• Stable moisture• Continuous nutrient recycling systemsAccording to the BNF philosophy, long-term agricultural sustainability depends on restoring the living biologicalecosystem within the soil.
6. Minimal Soil DisturbanceThe BNF Advanced ZBNF system discourages excessive ploughing and heavy soil disturbance.The philosophy promotes:• Minimal ploughing• Surface mulching• Weed decomposition• Natural biological soil restorationContinuous deep ploughing may damage fungal networks, destroy microbial habitats, increase soil compaction,and accelerate organic matter loss.
7. Role of Weeds in the BNF SystemAccording to the BNF philosophy, weeds are not considered completely harmful.Weeds may help:• Protect soil from direct sunlight• Reduce erosion• Conserve moisture• Support microbial life• Become future organic matter sourcesFarmers may cut weeds, apply Bimsara, and allow biological decomposition within the field itself.
8. Crop-Specific Organic RecyclingThe BNF system promotes recycling crop-specific waste materials back into cultivation systems.Examples include:• Brinjal residues returned to brinjal fields• Banana waste materials supporting banana cultivation• Paddy residues remaining in paddy field
With microbial activation using Bimsara, these materials may gradually decompose and recycle nutrientsnaturally.
9. Hardpan Formation and Soil CompactionOne major problem identified in Sri Lankan agriculture is hardpan formation.Hardpan develops due to repeated ploughing at the same depth, heavy machinery pressure, excessive chemicalfertilizer use, salt accumulation, destruction of soil biology, and low organic matter.Bimsara is intended to support:• Biological decomposition• Soil aggregation• Root channel formation• Long-term soil restoration
10. Initial Transition PeriodMany Sri Lankan agricultural lands are already heavily polluted and biologically weakened.Therefore, during the first few cultivation seasons, supportive biological liquid fertilizers may still be required.Examples include:• Kethposhi for paddy cultivation• Bano Potash for banana cultivation• Kethposhi for vegetable cultivation• Bimsara as the microbial activator
11. Forest-Like Soil ConversionAccording to the BNF Advanced ZBNF philosophy, after approximately 2–3 cultivation seasons, the field maygradually begin functioning more like a natural ecosystem.At this stage:• Soil organic matter increases• Microbial diversity improves• Water retention becomes stronger• Natural nutrient cycling becomes more stableFarmers may increasingly depend on weeds, crop residues, local biomass, and suitable organic waste materialstogether with Bimsara.
12. Environmental ImportanceBiology-based cultivation systems may help:• Reduce environmental pollution• Protect water resources• Restore biodiversity• Improve ecological balance
13. Economic ImportanceBy utilizing local organic materials, weeds, crop residues, and biological nutrient cycling, farmers may reducedependence on expensive imported agricultural chemicals
This may help:• Reduce cultivation costs• Improve farmer sustainability• Increase agricultural independence• Support long-term food security
14. Long-Term Vision of the BNF PhilosophyThe long-term vision of the BNF Advanced ZBNF system is to create:• Sustainable agricultural ecosystems• Biology-driven farming systems• Healthier soils• Lower-cost cultivation methods• Environmentally friendly agriculture
15. ConclusionBNF Bimsara functions as a microbial soil activation system intended to:• Restore biological activity• Improve nutrient cycling• Support decomposition of organic matter• Reduce hardpan conditions• Improve soil structure• Gradually convert agricultural land into a forest-like ecological environment“Future agriculture should work with nature, not against it.
