VEDIC KRISHI ORGANIC FARMING IN TAMILNADU NILGIRI DISTRICT
Ganesh L
VEDIC KRISHI ORGANIC FARMING IN TAMILNADU NILGIRI DISTRICT
Natural resource degradation is an issue of major concern in all over the world, particularly in South East Asia. Appropriate technologies and research to reverse this process and simultaneously improve farm productivity and income are essential components. Chemical free traditional farming technologies (Organic, Biodynamic, Panchagavya, Agnihotra etc.) are gaining momentum all over the world as it offers a means to address self reliance, rural development and conservation of natural resources. In recent years various forms of organic farming have gained momentum globally. In India, around 2.25 lac hectares area is already covered under organic cultivation, which includes cotton, coffee, tea, basmati rice, medical and aromatic crops etc.
Organic (holistic) agriculture is a way of life in India, a tradition that for centuries has shaped the thought, the outlook, the culture and economic life of its people. Prior to Independence and till two decades later, majority of Indian farmers were unaware of the use of fertilizers for plant nutrition and pesticides for control of pests and diseases. In process of higher production, modern agriculture largely depends on the use of fossil fuel based energy with intensive inputs such as chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and farm machinery.
IMPACT OF CHEMICAL BASED PRACTICES
- Compaction of soil structure
- Low organic matter content in the soil
- Poor water holding capacity of the soil
- Increase in salinity, solicity and land submergence
- Adverse effect on flora and fauna
- Problem associated with residual toxicity
- Increase in hazards with outbreak of pest and disease including weeds
- Deterioration of factor productivity and thus
- Varying degree of displacement of human settlement from villages
This has let GOI to consider seriously regarding future of Indian agriculture and a Task Force to suggest alternative of Modern Agriculture was constituted under the chairmanship of Dr.Kunwarji Bhai Jadav, of Rajkot and Commissioner Agriculture GOI as member secretary. The Task Force came up with following observations :
- The Organic farming is being practiced by thousand of farmers and institutions in the country though mostly in unorganized way.
- The success stories indicate the benefits of organic farming.
- There is no awareness among the people, in general, about the benefits of organic farming, as there is no State or Central Govt.support.
- No markets have been developed in the country for the sale/promotion of organic produce.
- The system of export of organic produce is also presently at a limited level and exact data are not available.
- Huge subsidy is given per ton of production of chemical fertilizers; no subsidy or incentive is given for use of organic manures.
- The Ministry of Commerce, Government of India has set up standards for organic farming and defined the system of Certification and Accreditation only in April, 2001, which may facilitate further growth of organic farming in the country.
1. BIODYNAMIC AGRICULTURE
In the organic production system, in general micronutrients are not taken care of, there is every doubt that over long duration, their deficiencies may create production constraints and these technologies might be a failure rather than a sustainable alternative. Hence, Biodynamic agriculture, under the present scenario appears to be a sound alternative. It is based on sound principles of soil biotechnology and microbiology. Indeed, microscopic doses of few of the preparations have shown profound effects on growth, metabolism, crop yield and quality. It is interesting that these practices do not require sophisticated facilities and most of them can be created at the farm itself by simple training. These are components of biological agriculture, capable of affording long-term sustainability to agriculture and particularly to the ecosystem. In recent years, Biodynamic farming is becoming popular in several countries such as Germany, Australia, New Zealand, and U.S.A. etc. In India, Biodynamic agriculture is being attempted by group of farmers around Ooty, (Tamilnadu), Indore (Madhya Pradesh), Uttar Pradesh and Uttranchal and NEH states.
Biodynamic farming refers to working with the energies which create and maintain life. In biodynamic agriculture, the use of all the five energies i.e. Earth, Water, Air, Fire and Cosmic are utilized judiciously.
Interaction between components of substance and energy factors forms a balanced system. Only when soil is balanced, then healthy plant will grow and transmit both substances and energy (life giving and life maintaining) as food. The aim of biodynamic concept is to establish a system that brings balance in to all factors, which maintain life. By side stepping the typical preconception that light makes chlorophyll which helps the plants to grow, Biodynamic farmers realize that other energies also contribute to a plant`s growth. Because of the differences in these contributing energies, planting crop on one day will be totally different than planting it on another day. In fact, planting during certain days of the moon cycle is important and had been in practice since ancient time
It involves certain principles and practices for healthy soil, healthy plant and healthful food for human beings and feed for animals. In the system, energies from cosmos, mother earth, cow and plants are systematically and synergistically harnessed. It is based on the knowledge that soil, plants, animals and men work together in one agricultural cycle. Biodynamic agriculture works on the following principles:
PRINCIPLES
- To restore the soil, through incorporation of organic matter in the form of humus, which holds its fertility
- To establish, maintain and increase soil as living system
- Organic matter as the basic factor for the soil life
- Biodynamic method is not only fertilizing the soil but skilful application of factors contributing to soil life and health
- Establish a system that brings into balance all factors which maintain life
- In biodynamic way of treating manure and composts, knowledge of enzyme, harmone and other factors are also considered
- It puts special emphasis on the importance of crop rotation, green manuring and cover crops
- Soil is not only a chemical, mineral or organic system, but it also has a physical structure. Maintenance of a crumbly, friable, deep, well-aerated structure is essential features of biodynamic agriculture.
Efforts are being made to elaborate the concept and brief account of preparations used in biodynamic agriculture and few explanations and experiences with the cultivation practices
The Nilgiris, the queen of hill stations, is considered to be the lungs of the southern states as the wealth, these states depends mainly on the health of the Nilgiris ecosystem. The rich, organic fertile soil conditions existing in Nilgiris made agriculture successful. The mild summer and mild winter prevailing in the Nilgiris favour the cultivation of high value exotic vegetables and cutflowers throughout the year. The changing cropping pattern, has led to high incidence of insect pests, nematodes and diseases in hill crops. During the last three decades, agricultural scenario in the Nilgiris ecosystem has been drastically changed due to extensive and intensive cropping system with high input use mainly the chemicals. Intensive cultivation with the chemical inputs has also led to cessation of the beneficial microbial activity in the soil system, which has paved way to the emergence of new pests and diseases and in several events the minor pests/diseases become major. The excess use of chemicals and fertilizers has created problems such as deterioration in soil fertility, soil biomass, soil microbial activity, which has increased the environmental pollution, residual toxicity, health problems and soil erosion. The continuous application of fertilizers also led to the soil becoming acidic (pH 3.0 to 4.5) and high deposition of salts. NPK status of soils of Nilgiris district is high due to the lack of organic matter, the soil has become unfertile. The poor soil health has reflected conspicuous decline in the yield of priority crops like potato, cabbage, carrot and beans. The high cost of chemical inputs, poor rainfall and low price of vegetables have made agriculture non-remunerative. Besides, monocropping of the tea cultivation in Nilgiris threatened the economy of the Nilgiris farmers due to the present low price for tea leaves.
At this point of time, the Horticultural Research Station, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Ooty realized that the low-cost organic farming systems could be the only way to grow quality fruits, vegetables, cutflowers and spices, which are in great demand in both domestic and international markets and could fetch high economic returns to them. Horticultural Research Station, Ooty has played a key role in integrating the various biodynamic organic farming systems for promotion oxvedic organic farming in the Nilgiris. For this, the station has developed a Biodynamic sustainable organic farming system for hill crops suitable for the Nilgiris. The system includes the application of lupin as green manure, biodynamic compost and vermicompost, seed treatment/soil drenching/ foliar spraying of biodynamic preparations (cow, pat pit, horn manure and horn silica), application of native strains of biofertilizers (Azospirillum, Phosphobacteria and Rhizobium), native strains of bicontrol agents (Metarrhizium anisopliae, Trichoderma viridae and Pseudomonas fluorescens), vermiwash, suitable intercropping/crop rotation systems, botanical extracts of lacally identified weed plants, Dasagavya, insecticidal botanical baits, low cost insect taps and Agnihotra (Homa) farming. In this system, with the knowledge on the planting of different vegetable crops according to the planetary constellations in accordance to the vedic tradition, was followed.
VEDIC KRISHI AND SRI SATHYA SAI ORGANISATION
In collaboration with the Tamilnadu Agriculture University, Sri Sathya Sai Organisation, Tamilnadu , Nilgiri District, for the past one year has taken efforts to facilitate careful adoption of Organic farming by the farmers.
The approach adoption in promotion of Organic farming is farmer centred and the program will create conditions for the conservation and efficient use of locally available resources. In this direction the following issues are addressed to the farmers.
- Promoting Organic agriculture as a sustainable, safe and healthy method of increasing production with special price advantage.
- Resolving often extreme distress in rural farming communities resulting from high input cost, low returns, increase in debts etc.
- Reliance and locally available, affordable and environmental friendly inputs.
- Increased self reliance through inclusion of local seeds, manures and indigenous practices for plant protection.
- Encouraging mixed farming aimed at household food security while conserving biodiversity and local cultural values.
- Preparing farmers for competitive marketing through value additions eg. Through quality, speciality products and processing.
- Creating consumer awareness on respectful natural farming and safe food