PRAYAGRAJ, Sept. 11 -- Natural farming is gaining ground in Prayagraj, with around 1,500 farmers cultivating nearly 600 hectares without chemical inputs. Faster returns from vegetables are emerging as a key reason for the shift. While cow-based natural farming is being promoted to reduce farmers' dependence on external inputs, growers are increasingly opting for vegetables that can be harvested within two to three months-far quicker than traditional crops such as paddy and wheat. According to the agriculture department, vegetables account for nearly 65% of the district's natural farming clusters. Of the 125 clusters, farmers in 79 are cultivating vegetables. "Farmers are preferring vegetables because the cultivation cost is lower and they can get returns in about two months," said Prayagraj deputy director, agriculture, Pawan Kumar Vishwakarma. For farmers, the shorter crop cycle also means quicker access to income and less exposure to weather-related risks associated with longer-duration crops. Raghuveer Kushwaha of Bhagwatpur is practising natural farming on three acres, two of which grow vegetables. He said vegetables offered better returns than traditional coarse grains, with crops ready for harvest in 60-70 days. In Jasra, farmer Shakuntala Devi is growing seasonal vegetables such as bottle gourd, ridge gourd and okra on an acre of chemical-free land. She has sold vegetables worth more than Rs.1.25 lakh, according to the agriculture department. Prayagraj's natural farming push also has an environmental focus. The programme is being expanded in villages selected under the Namami Gange initiative, particularly those along the Ganga. The district has 411 organic farming clusters within five kilometres of the Ganga, covering about 8,220 acres. Farmers in these areas are being encouraged and trained to adopt completely chemical-free, cow-based natural farming. The aim is to reduce dependence on chemical inputs and minimise the risk of agricultural chemicals entering water bodies and affecting the river ecosystem. Under the first phase of the programme, 12 clusters have been formed, each with 125 farmers. Together, participating farmers are cultivating around 600 hectares using natural resources. The state government is also offering financial assistance. Farmers receive Rs.4,800 per acre in the first year and Rs.3,600 per acre in each of the next two years, along with assistance for organic seed management. To promote adoption, the government has deployed trained community-level workers, or Krishi Sakhis. Selected through the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM), they were trained at agricultural knowledge centres and assigned to the 12 clusters. At least two Krishi Sakhis were deployed in each cluster, with community resource persons brought in where needed....