I dont bother about diseases.

 
Sathyannachari, a farmer of Kadimetla village of yemmiganur mandal, Kurnool showing a weed plant (Ocimum sp.), which he uses to make an extract, and uses for disease management in Chillis and Groundnut. He says "it works better than many of todays fungicides. Farmers have rich source of medicines on their fields. Only thing is that they need to have some patience to try things like this. It works well, saves cost and improves even quality of produce, which in many cases we directly consume".

He says apart from this, one can try use of Cow Urine, dung solution now and then to impart resistance to plants, which also corrects nutrient deficiencies in any crop.

Backyard Garden

 

A view of nutritional garden in the backyard of a farmer in Dornipadu village of Kurnool district with all possible diverisity of crops. The farmer believes in conservation through biodiversity. He practices many conservation methods on his paddy field too.

Is it Possible?

Here are some comments on Whether the Organic Agriculture can be practiced in present scenario or not? Read on 

Current situation of Organic Agriculture in India

Organic farming, which was initiated, by a group of people is slowly occupying main stream agriculture and there has been exponential growth in area, production and also it has convinced now policy makers as one option for sustainable agriculture in the country. At present, the certified area under organic cultivation has spread around 4, 01,002 ha and 4, 64,321 ha are under conversion thus totaling 8, 65,323 hectares. Growing awareness, increasing market demand, increasing inclination of farmers to go organic and institutional support has resulted into more than 200 % growth in total certified area during the last two years. It is interesting to record that in National Horticulture Mission, organic area has covered over 76,000 hectare during past three years. It is estimated by 2012, certified area would be more than 2 million hectares. The demand for organic products especially for raw materials of organic origin is increasing worldwide. India with its cultural tradition and market structure offers enormous potentials. The supply of organic products is growing strongly and noticeably. In a market study by International Competent Center for Organic Agriculture (ICCOA), it appeared that demand for consumption of organic commodities is around 3,000 cores, which will touch around 4,000 cores. India has occupied first place in organic production of cotton replacing Turkey.

Apprehensions in Promotion of Organic Farming

The main apprehensions in promotion of organic farming in India are

• Can organic farming produce enough food for every body?

• Is it possible to meet the nutrient requirements of crops entirely from organic sources?

• Are there any significant environmental benefits of Organic farming?

• Does organic food are superior in quality& nutritive value?

• Is organic agriculture economically feasible?

• Is it possible to manage pests and diseases?

• Does there is enough market for organic produce?

Since Organic Farming in recent years has been attempted in other parts of the world, hence to resolve the above apprehensions, efforts have been attempted to enumerate with the help of available information as summarized below.

Organic versus conventional agriculture

1. Can organic farming produce enough food for everybody? - Yes

Yields are directly related to the intensity of farming of the prevailing conventional systems. This is not only the case for comparison between regions, but also between crops within a region, and for individual crops over time8. An over-simplification of the impact of conversion to organic agriculture on yield indicates that:

(i) In intensive farming systems, organic agriculture decreases yield; the range depends on the intensity of external input use before conversion (Stanhill, 1990; Offerman and Nieberg, 1999).

(ii) In the so-called green revolution areas (irrigated lands), conversion to organic agriculture usually lead to almost identical yields (Rajendran et al, 2000, Kler, et al).

(iii) In traditional rain-fed agriculture (with low external inputs), organic agriculture has shown the potential to increase yields (Huang, et al; Singh et al, 2001).

A number of studies have shown that under drought conditions, crops in organic agriculture systems produce significantly higher yields than comparable conventional agricultural crops (Stanhill, 1990, and Dormaar et al, 1988), often out yielding conventional crops, 1994, Lockeretz et al1981, Ptersen et al, 1999) often out yielding conventional crops by 7-90 % (Wynen, 1994). Others have shown that organic systems have less long-term yield variability (Peters, 1994, Smolik et al; 1995). A survey of 208 projects in developing tropical countries in which contemporary organic practices were introduced, showed average yield increases of 5–10% in irrigated crops and 50–100% in rain fed crops (Pretty and Hine, 2001). The so-called organic transition effect, in which a yield decline in the first 1–4 years of transition to organic agriculture, followed by a yield increase when soils have developed adequate biological activity (Peters, 1994, Liebhardt et al 1989) and Neera et al, 1999), has not been borne out in some reviews of yield comparison studies (Stanhill, 1990, Rajendran et al, 2000). Trials conducted on organic cotton at Nagpur indicated that after the third year, the organic plot, which did not receive any fertilizers and insecticides, produced as much cotton as that cultivated with them (Rajendran et al, 2000). Similarly, studies conducted in Punjab clearly indicated that organic farming gave higher or equal yields of different cropping systems compared to chemical farming after an initial period of three years (Kler, et al, 2002).

2. Organic agriculture and food security

The common claim that large-scale conversion to organic agriculture would result in drastic reduction in world food supplies or large increases in conversion of undisturbed lands to agriculture (Avery, 1995, Trewavas, 2001), has not been borne out in model ling studies. Conversion studies showed that domestic food consumption would not suffer, exports would vary depending on crop, but the structure of farming would definitely change with more diversification of agriculture (Woodward, 1998). Wide spread conversion to organic agriculture would result in crop yield increase over the current averages as a result of increased investment in research and extension (Lampkin, 1994. A German study concluded that if the per capita dietary calories from meat were reduced to 21% from the current 39%, all German croplands could be converted to organic agriculture without an increase in imports or expansion of agricultural land. According to the report such a conversion would be possible by 2017, as the survey indicated that 40% of German youth have planned to maintain low or no-meat diets (Seemueller, 2000). The threshold for this conversion may come sooner, as abandonment of meat-consumption is accelerating in Europe as a result of BSE (Morabia, et al; 1999). Several studies have proved the benefits of vegetarian diet over non-vegetarian in terms of energy consumed for food production as well as other nutritional advantages. Organic farmers grow a variety of crops and maintain livestock in order to optimize use of nutrients and the space between species. This ensures economic advantages through low crop production or yield failure due to biotic and a biotic factor in all of these simultaneously. This can have an important impact on local food security and resilience. In rain-fed systems, organic agriculture has demonstrated to out-perform conventional agricultural systems under environmental stress conditions (Stanhill, 1990,Wynen, 1994, Peters et al, 1994). Under the right circumstances, the market returns from organic agriculture can potentially contribute to local food security by increasing family income.

Studies have shown that less-industrialized world stands to benefits the most. In southern Brazil, maize and wheat yields doubled on farms that changed to green manures and nitrogen fixing leguminous vegetables instead of chemical fertilizers (Andre, 2007). In Mexico coffee growers who chose to move to fully organic saw increase of 50 per cent by weight of beans harvested. In fact in an analysis of more than 286 organic conversions in 57 countries, the average yield increase was found to be impressive 64 per cent (Pretty 2006). Similar is situation for India. Approximately 70 per cent area in the country is rain fed wherein minimum agro chemicals are used. This offers great potentials to go organic immediately. Initial experiences even with Punjab have shown good response.

3 Nutritive Value of Organic Vs. Conversational

There are number of evidences where organic produce has shown superior quality compared with the conventionally grown as enumerated below.

In 2001, a study in the Journal of Complementary Medicine found that organic crops contained higher levels of 21 essential nutrients than their conventionally grown counterparts, including iron, magnesium, phosphorus and vitamin C. The organic crops also contained lower levels of nitrates, which can be toxic to human body (Worthington, 2000).

Other studies have found significantly higher levels of vitamins – as well as polyphones and antioxidants – in organic fruit and vegetables, all of which are thought to play a role in cancer-prevention within the body (Soil Association, 2008).

Scientists have also been able to work out why organic farming produces more nutritious food. Avoiding chemical fertilizer reduces nitrates levels in the food; better quality soil increases the availability of trace minerals, and reduced levels of pesticides mean that the plants' own immune systems grow stronger, producing higher levels of antioxidants. Slower rates of growth also mean that organic food frequently contains higher levels of dry mass; meaning that fruit and vegetables are less pumped up with water and so contains more nutrients by weight than intensively grown crops do (Gundual, 2007).

Milk from organically fed cows has been found to contain higher levels of nutrients in six separate studies, including omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin E, and beta-carotene, all of which can help prevent cancer. One experiment discovered that levels of omega-3 in organic milk were on average 68 per cent higher than in non-organic alternatives ((Soil Association, 2008).

Advantages of Organic Milk and Meat

• Desirable flavour

• Freedom from pesticides, artificial/synthetic additives, hormones etc

• Eco-friendly

• Protection of water quality

• Protection of future generations

• More Omega 3 fatty acid

• Higher Vitamin E content

In 2000, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) found that organically produced food had 'lower levels of pesticide and veterinary drug residues' than non-organic did. Although organic farmers are allowed to use antibiotics when absolutely necessary to treat disease, the routine use of the drugs in animal feed – common on intensive livestock farms – is forbidden. This means a shift to organic livestock farming could help tackle problems such as the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

4. Nutrient management in organic farming

In conventional farming limited options are available to meet the nutrient requirements. Till today for all macro and micronutrients that are needed by plants suitable agro chemicals are not available. It is because of this reason; numbers of nutrients are becoming constraints in production of large number of crops

In organic cultivation, number of alternatives viz; inclusion of legumes in the system as green manure, inter or cover crops, crop rotation, use of enriched composts, bio fertilizers, bio enhancers (Cow Pat Pit, BD-500, Amrit Mati, Panchagvya, Biosol etc are available (Pathak, 2007).

Organic farming is often understood as a form of agriculture with use of only organic inputs for the supply of nutrients and management of pests and diseases. In fact, it is a specialized form of diversified agriculture, wherein problems of farming are managed using local resources alone. The term organic does not explicitly mean the type of inputs

used; rather it refers to the concept of farm as an organism. Often, organic agriculture has been criticized on the grounds that with organic inputs alone, farm productivity and profit-ability might not be improved because the availability of organic sources is highly restricted form and amount.

Organic farming systems rely on the management of soil organic matter to enhance the chemical, biological and physical properties of the soil. One of the basic principles of soil

fertility management in organic systems is that plant nutrition depends on 'biologically-derived nutrients' instead of using readily soluble forms of nutrients; less available forms of nutrients such as those in bulky organic materials are used. This requires release of nutrients to the plant via the activity of soil microbes and soil animals. Improved soil biological activity is also known to play a key role in suppressing weeds, pests and diseases.

In fact we foresee that organic farming in India will be dependent mainly on organic carbon content, microbial activity including earthworms in rhizosphere and healthy environment to provide abundant nutrition from biosphere.

5. Presence of Pesticides

According to the World Health Organization there are an estimated that 20,000 accidental deaths worldwide each year from pesticide exposure and poisoning. A spiraling dependence on pesticides throughout recent decades has resulted in a catalogue of repercussions, including pest resistance, disease susceptibility, loss of natural biological controls and reduced nutrient-cycling (Sustain, 2003).

Organic farmers, on the other hand, believe that a healthy plant grown in a healthy soil& healthy environment will ultimately be more resistant to pest damage. Organic systems encourage a variety of natural methods to enhance soil and plant health, in turn reducing incidences of pests, weeds and diseases.

First and foremost, because organic plants grow comparatively slower than conventional varieties they have thicker cell walls, which provide a tougher natural barrier to pests. Rotations or 'break-crops', which are central to organic production, also provide a physical obstacle to pest and disease lifecycles by removing crops from a given plot for extended periods (IFOAM, 2003). Organic systems also rely heavily on a rich agro-ecosystem in which many agricultural pests can be controlled by their natural predators.

Inevitably, however, there are times when pestilence attacks are especially prolonged or virulent, and here permitted pesticides may be used. The use of organic pesticides is heavily regulated and the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) requires specific criteria to be met before pesticide applications can be justified (IFOAM, 1998).

A 2002 report indicates that organic food is far less likely to contain pesticide residues than conventional food (13% of organic produce samples vs. 71% of conventional produce samples contained a pesticide residue, when long-banned persistent pesticides were excluded). Just as with any kind of produce, consumers should wash before consuming to ensure maximum cleanliness. As cited above, organic produce contains significantly lower levels of pesticide residues than conventional produce

5. Presence of E-coli-positive samples in conventional and organic produce

It is a common misconception that organic food could be at greater risk of E. coli contamination because of raw manure application although conventional farmers commonly apply tons of raw manure as well with no regulation whatsoever. Organic standards set strict guidelines on manure use in organic farming: either it must be first composted, or it must be applied at least 90 days before harvest, which allows ample time for microbial breakdown of any pathogens which is both a safe form of organic fertilizer and more efficient nutrient source to crops. There have been many claims that eating organic foods increases exposure to micro-biological contaminants. Studies investigating these claims have found no evidence to support them. During post-harvest handling, viz; packaging, processing, transportation and storage is another point along the path that food travels where contamination could occur, but likewise, this is an argument equally relevant to both organic and conventional foods. The main aim of packaging is to ensure food is microbiologically stable for a defined period, and this is achieved by organic foods.

6. Environmental benefits of organic agriculture

The impact of organic agriculture on natural resources favours interactions within the agro-ecosystem that is vital for both agricultural production and nature conservation. Ecological services derived include soil forming and conditioning, soil stabilization, waste recycling, carbon sequestration, nutrient cycling, predation, pollination and habitats (IFOAM, 1998). The environmental costs of conventional agriculture are substantial, and the evidence for significant environmental amelioration via conversion to organic agriculture is overwhelming (Kler. etal, 2001, 2002). A review of over 300 published reports showed that out of 18 environmental impact indicators (floral diversity, faunal diversity, habitat diversity, land-escape, soil organic matter, soil biological activity, soil structure, soil erosion and nitrate leaching.

In fact organic farms actively encourage biodiversity in order to maintain soil fertility and aid natural pest control. Mixed farming systems ensure that a diversity of food and nesting sites are available throughout the year, compared with conventional farms where autumn sow crops leave little winter vegetation available (IFOAM, 2003).

Organic production systems are designed to respect the balance observed in our natural ecosystems. It is widely accepted that controlling or suppressing one element of wildlife, even if it is a pest, will have unpredictable impacts on the rest of the food chain. Instead, organic producers regard a healthy ecosystem as essential to a healthy farm, rather than a barrier to production.

In 2005, a report by English Nature and the RSPB on the impacts of organic farming on biodiversity reviewed more than 70 independent studies of flora, invertebrates, birds and mammals within organic and conventional farming systems. It concluded that biodiversity is enhanced at every level of the food chain under organic management practices, from soil micro-biota right through to farmland birds and the largest mammals (Hole et al; 2005).

7. Economics of Organic Farming - (Total Misconception)

The basic principle of organic farming is to encourage large number of crops for better harnessing of solar energy and also trapping nutrients available at various strata in the soil while in conventional farming encourage mono cropping.

The replacement of external inputs by farm-derived resources normally leads to a reduction in variable input costs under organic management. Expenditure on fertilizers and sprays is substantially lower than in conventional systems in almost all the cases (Offermann and Nieberg; 1999; Padel and Lampkin, 1994).

In a few cases, higher input costs due to the purchase of compost and other organic manure have been reported (Sellen et al, 1983). Studies have shown that the common organic agricultural combination of lower input costs and favorable price premiums can offset reduced yields and make organic farms equally and often more profitable than conventional farms (Petersen 1999, Reganold, et al 2001). Studies that did not include organic price premiums have given mixed results on profitability (Welsh, 1999). Studies from Europe and Canada show labour costs in organic agriculture average 40–50% higher where the wage rates are generally higher (Patel and Lampkin, 1994). Gross margins, the difference between farm output and variable costs are generally similar or, where there are favourable price premiums, higher in organic agriculture. The economics of organic cotton cultivation over a period of six years indicated that there is a reduction in cost of cultivation and increased gross and net returns compared to conventional cotton cultivation in India (Rajendran et al 2000).

Organic farmers grow a variety of crops and maintain livestock in order to optimize use of nutrients and the space between species. This ensures economic advantages through low crop production or yield failure due to biotic and a biotic factors in all of these simultaneously. This can have an important impact on local food security and resilience. In rain-fed systems, organic agriculture has demonstrated to out-perform conventional agricultural systems under environmental stress conditions.

Since most of the organic inputs are produced at the farm itself, hence it is always cheaper compared with purchased input in conventional system. To my experience, organic production system is cheaper by 40-45 /percent. If heavy subsidy on various conversion input are taken into cognizance the organic produce will be much cheaper as compared with conventional farming.

After working on organic farming and closely observing its development, I am of the view that if taken in integrated fashion with Organic mindset, the above-mentioned apprehensions can be addressed without any problem. In order to develop a sustainable organic package, I had been trying to resolve the following issues.

Issues in promotion of organic farming are: -

Continuous improvement in soil fertility

Par excellence produce quality

In put generation at the farm/ village

Yield equal or better than the conventional systems

Eco friendly and cost effective technology

Javik Krishi

This system pertains with integration of few compatible techniques from different systems, which can be created in the villages by providing some basic infrastructure facilities and few days' hands on skill up gradation training. To my understanding agricultural Calendar from Biodynamic, Bijamrita for seed/ seedling treatment, Jiwamrita for enrichment of Rhizosphere coupled with tree pasting and mulching with organic waste can meet the nutrient requirement. In case Homa Organic Farming can be integrated then quality and sustainable production can be further ensured.

Organic agriculture: Its relevance to Indian farming

Only 30% of India's total cultivable area is covered with fertilizers where irrigation facilities are available and in the remaining 70% of arable land, which is mainly rain-fed, negligible amount of fertilizers is being used. Farmers in these areas often use organic manure as a source of nutrients that are readily available either in their own farm or in their locality. The northeastern, western Himalayas and tribal dominated regions of India provide considerable opportunity for organic farming due to least utilization of chemical inputs. It is estimated that 18 million hectare of such land is available in the NE, which can be exploited for organic production. With the sizable acreage under naturally organic/default organic cultivation, India has tremendous potential to grow crops organically and emerge as a major supplier of organic products in the world's organic market (Anon, 2002).

The report of the Task Force on Organic Farming (Anon, 2001) appointed by the Government of India also observed that in vast areas of the country, where limited amount of chemicals is used and have low productivity, could be exploited as potential areas for organic agriculture. Arresting the decline of soil organic matter is the most potent weapon in fighting against unabated soil degradation and imperiled sustainability of agriculture in tropical regions of India, particularly those under the influence of arid, semiarid and sub humid climate.

Application of organic manure is the only option to improve the soil organic carbon for sustenance of soil quality and future agricultural productivity (Anon, 2001, Katyal, 2004). It is estimated that around 700 mt of agricultural waste is available in the country every year, but most of it is not properly used. This implies a theoretical availability of 5 tones of organic manure/hectare arable land/year, which is equivalent to about 100 kg NPK/ha/yr(72. However, in reality, only a fraction of this is available for actual field application. Various projections72,73 place the tap able potential at around 30% of the total availability. There are several alternatives for supply of soil nutrients from organic sources like vermicompost, bio fertilizers, etc. Technologies have been developed to produce large quantities of nutrient-rich manure/compost. There are specific bio fertilizers for cereals, millets, pulses and oilseeds that offer a great scope to further reduce the gap between nutrient demand and supply. There is no doubt that organic agriculture is in many ways a preferable pattern for developing agriculture, especially in countries like India.

Conclusions

The interest in organic agriculture in developing countries is growing because it requires less financial input and places more reliance on the natural and human resources available. Studies to date seem to indicate that organic agriculture offers comparative advantage in areas with less rainfall and relatively low natural and soil fertility levels. Labour realizes a good return and this is important where paid labour is almost non-existent. Organic agriculture does not need costly investments in irrigation, energy and external inputs, but rather organic agricultural policies have the potential to improve local food security, especially in marginal areas. Possibly, the greatest impact of organic agriculture is on the mindset of people. It uses traditional and indigenous farming knowledge, while introducing selected modern technologies to manage and enhance diversity, to incorporate biological principles and resources into farming systems, and to ecologically intensify agricultural production. Instead of being an obstacle to progress, traditions may become an integral part of it. By adopting organic agriculture, farmers are challenged to take on new knowledge and perspectives, and to innovate. This leads to an increased engagement in farming which can trigger greater opportunities for rural employment and economic up liftmen. Thus through greater emphasis on use of local resources and self-reliance, conversion to organic agriculture definitely contributes to the empowerment of farmers and local communities.

The following conclusions can be drawn on important issues regarding organic farming:

(1) Organic farming has the potential to increase the yield on almost 70% of total cultivable rain fed land. Mere 5–10% increase in farm production would definitely help achieve the targeted growth rate of 4–5% in agricultural production in the eleventh Plan period.

(2) The proposed Jaivik pckage ie Integration of few compatible techniques from different organic system is one ray of hope to sustain agriculture.

(3) Organic farming systems can deliver agronomic and environmental benefits both through structural changes and tactical management of farming systems. The benefits of organic farming are relevant both to developed nations (environmental protection, biodiversity enhancement, reduced energy use and CO 2 emission) and to developing countries like India (sustainable resource use, increased crop yields without over-reliance on costly external inputs, environment and biodiversity protection, etc.).

(4) Organic foods are proved superior in terms of health and safety, but there is no scientific evidence to prove their superiority in terms of taste and nutrition, as most of the studies are often inconclusive.

(5) Combination of lower input costs and favourable price premiums can offset reduced yields and make organic farms equally and often more profitable than conventional farms. However, studies that did not include organic price premiums have given mixed results on profitability. Thus it is the premium price on the organic food, which decides the economic feasibility of organic farming, at least at the current rate of development in organic agriculture.

(6) In organic farming systems, pest and disease management strategies are largely preventive rather than reactive. In general, pest and disease incidence is less severe in organic farms compared to conventional farms.

Sustaining Agriculture

Please read on an interesting information on integrating organic farming systems for bringing in sustainability in todays Agriculture.

* * * * * * * *

INTEGRATION OF ORGANIC FARMING SYSTEMS FOR SUSAINABLE AGRICULTURE

By R.K.Pathak, Chief Consultant, National Horticulture Mission,Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi, 110001

Indiscriminate use of agro-chemicals over decades has adversely affected soil fertility, crop productivity, quality and particularly the environment. These adverse effects of intensive agriculture have compelled to think for alternative and sustainable system of agriculture. As a result, a number of systems viz Biodynamic, Rishi Krishi, Panchagavya Krishi, Nateuco organic farming, Homa Organic Farming, Natural Farming and Jaivik Krishi have emerged in different parts of the country. In these systems, maximum reliance is placed on self-regulatory agro systems and locally available or farm derived renewable resources.

The main apprehensions in promotion of organic farming in India are

• Can organic farming produce enough food for every body?

• Is it possible to meet the nutrient requirements of crops entirely from organic sources?

• Are there any significant environmental benefits of Organic farming?

• Does organic food are superior in quality& nutritive value?

• Is organic agriculture economically feasible?

• Is it possible to manage pests and diseases?

• Does there is enough market for organic produce?

After working on organic farming and closely observing its development, I am of the view that if taken in integrated fashion with Organic mindset, the above-mentioned apprehensions can be addressed without any problem. In order to develop a sustainable organic package, I had been trying to resolve the following issues.

Issues in promotion of organic farming are: -

• Continuous improvement in soil fertility

• Par excellence produce quality

• In put generation at the farm/ village

• Yield equal or better than the conventional systems

• Eco friendly and cost effective technology

At present production of food grains is decreasing, soil and climatic conditions including ground water is deteriorating. Acid rains, ozone holes, toxicity in atmosphere, soil and water, radiation coming from the bowls of the earth, all these combine to destroy the top fifteen centimeters of soil. Our life depends on these fifteen centimeters.

Satellite pictures show that forests in Amazon rainforest area are sick. If these trees die then there will not be enough oxygen to breath on planet earth. No modern technology is capable of dealing with this multi-sided attack.

Views expressed as panelists in Organic session International Conference on Diversification of agriculture vs. Food Security during AGRO TECH, 2008 at Chandigarh

Is there a solution?

Yes Jaivik Krishi duly integrated with “Homa Organic Farming” an ancient science of Vruksha Ayurveda is the ultimate solution.

Has any one seen the results of “Homa Organic Farming” in modern times?

YES: In the Amazon region of the Republic of Peru, South America thirty units of 40 hectares each, totaling 1200 hectares was monitored by Agronomical Engineers from the Office of the Presidency of the Republic of Peru for seven months involving all crops grown in the area.

Results

• With Homa organic farming one can get the following

• Yield better compared with any systems organic or conventional

• Taste, Texture, colour, disease resistance, nutritional value, longer shelf life and reduction in harvesting time including post harvest losses make the product superior

• One can produce the same crop in shorter period

• The cost of farming is much less

• One can deal with 60 hectares at a time with only one Resonance Point of Homa Therapy

  
  

It is interesting to record that “Homa Organic Farming can be integrated with any Organic Farming Systems. Attempts has made to briefly discuss these systems and give a Jaivik Package which can easily be adopted with some basic infrastructure and practical training by the common Indian Farmers.

Current situation of Organic Agriculture in India

Organic farming, which was initiated, by a group of people in India is slowly occupying main stream agriculture and there has been exponential growth in area, production and also it has convinced now policy makers as one option for sustainable agriculture in the country. At present certified area under organic cultivation has spread over 8.65 ha either certified (4.01 lakh ha) or under conversion (4.64 lakh ha) in recent years. It is estimated by 2012, certified organic area would be more than 2 million hectares. In a market study by International Competent Center for Organic Agriculture (ICCOA), it appeared that demand for consumption of organic commodities is increasing and it may be around 34230 M rupees annually.

Brief account of organic systems: -

1. Biodynamic system

This system appears to be one of the sound alternatives. It is based on systematic and synergistic harnessing energies from Cosmos; mother Earth, Plants and Cow. For harnessing cosmic energies, an agriculture calendar based on planetary configuration is used (Annexture-1). By adopting calendar 12 –18 percent increase in yield and 12-15 percent reduction in disease incidence have been obtained. It is interesting to record that few of the preparation are used in minute quantities viz; BD-500 to 508, Cow Pat Pit (CPP) and show remarkable effects on growth, metabolism, crop yield and quality. Efforts are made to restore soil fertility in form of humus, increase the living system of soil by skillful application of crop rotation. Nutrient requirement is managed by application of Biodynamic compost, duly enriched with Cow pat pit, BD-500; need base use of BD –liquid manures. Pests are managed by promoting locally adopted varieties, cultural, mechanical measures including use of trap crops, spray of BD-501 and need base spray of BD-liquid pesticides prepared from cow dung, cow urine and locally available herbs along with BD-sets.

2. Rishi Krishi

The technology is being promoted by large number of farmers in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. In this, rhizosphere soils beneath Banyan tree (Ficus bengalensis) is spread over the area and Amritpani, special bio inoculants prepared from cow dung, cow ghee, and honey is utilized for seed / seedling treatment, enrichment of soil by over head sprinkling and through irrigation water and mulching with locally available organic wastes. It invigorates the living soil and converts a dead soil into living one. The system has been demonstrated successful on a wide range of crops.

3. PANCHAGVYA KRISHI

It is a special bio enhancer prepared from five products obtained from cow, dung, urine, milk, curd and ghee. When suitably mixed, incubated and used, these have miraculous effects. The preparation is rich in nutrients, auxins, gibberellins, and microbial fauna and acts as tonic to enrich the soil, induce plant vigour with quality production. Its remarkable effects have been demonstrated in fruits like mango, guava, acid lime, banana, spice turmeric, flower-jasmine and vegetables such as cucumber spinach etc

4. Natural Farming

It consists of use of Bizamrit (cow dung, urine, lime, virgin soil) for seed/set/seedling treatment, followed by regular use of Jiwamrit (cow dung, urine, jaggery, pulse flour, virgin soil) at 15 to 30 days interval through irrigation water, coupled with mulching (green/ dry, monocot + di-cot) and proper soil aeration. Jiwamrita is a rich bio-formulation contains consortia of microbes. This formulation is used within 3-7 days of preparation.

5. Natueco farming

It follows the principles of eco-system networking in farming system approach. Knowing nature more closely, through critical scientific inquiries and experiments does farming. It is an ever growing, novel, unique, participatory trust between man and nature. It has a new vision of infinite resource potentials in Nature and sunlight promises plenty for all through harvesting all these resources. This depends on critical understanding of greening and recycling of biomass within the neighbour hood to enrich the structure and fertility of soil in a calculated way. The three relevant aspects of Natueco farming are:

Soil: Enrichment of soil by recycling the biomass and establishing a proper energy chain. The basic component of this technology is “Amrit Mati” a special bio-formulation rich in microbial consortia.

Roots: Development and maintenance of white root zones for efficient absorption of nutrients

Canopy: Harnessing solar energy through proper canopy management for efficient photosynthesis and encouraging multistoried farming system.

6. Homa Organic Farming

It is totally a revealed science. It comes from Vedas, the most ancient body of knowledge known to mankind. It is a super technology, which simultaneously negates the effects of polluting factors while increasing per unit area of quality production. The knowledge can used beneficially to grow crops without chemicals and pesticides. It is known as Homa Organic farming. The process of “Agnihotra Pyramid Fire” is the basic Homa Agnihotra is a must to sustain life now on this planet. In fact, it is gift to humanity from ancient most Vedic sciences of bio energy, medicine, agriculture and climate engineering.

Agnihotra is the basic fire in Homa Therapy. It is process of purification of the atmosphere through the agency of fire, prepared in a copper pyramid tuned to the biorhythm of sunrise/sunset. This neutralizes the negative energies and reinforces positive energies in the atmosphere.

A special bio-formulation developed by Gloria and named, as “Gloria biosol” from Peru is prepared after a series of operations and processes that lead to the biodegradation of organic matter along with Agnihotra ash. It is powerful bio-food for the plants that are rich in macro, micronutrients and rich in microbial population.

7. Jaivik Krishi

This system pertains with integration of few compatible techniques from different systems, which can be created in the villages by providing some basic infrastructure facilities and few days’ hands on skill up gradation training. To my understanding agricultural Calendar from Biodynamic, Bijamrita for seed/ seedling treatment, Jiwamrita for enrichment of Rhizosphere enrichment coupled with tree pasting and mulching with organic waste can meet the nutrient requirement. In case Homa Farming can be integrated then quality and sustainable production can be ensured.

Nutrient management

• Encourage habitat development at organic farm by planting trees, bushes and creating water body

• Grow legumes as cover/inter/ green manure or as mulch material

• Apply 3-5 T/ha for close spaced and 20-25 kg/tree enriched compost

• Mulch the interspaces

• Drench with bio enhancers

Pest & Disease Management

Wide ranges of options are available

• Encourage proper habitat management and prefer regionally adopted conventional varieties.
  
• Cow urine and butter milk are potent source for plant protection
• Local herbs viz: Neem, Castor, Pongamia, Lantana, Caliotropis, Neetle, Klamath, chilies, garlic, drumstick, bael etc after proper decomposition are quite effective in pest management.
• Initial experience will be required for different crops and pests

Road map for Jaivik Krishi

• Select group of farmers intending to adopt Jaivik Krishi on minimum of 20-50 ha in contiguous block

• Promote Farmers Interest Groups (FIGs), if possible involve few Women Farmers Group (WFG) to under take Jaivik Krishi

• Encourage farmers to arrange at least one cow per 4 ha of land and help in proper habitat development by planting trees, bushes and creating water bodies

• Provide skill up gradation training at the farm for input generation

• Convey strongly that purchased in puts are neither cost effective and nor permitted in organic Jaivik Krishi

• Clear them that the land has to be developed organic not individual crops

• Help them to prepare cropping plan

• Provide them confidence for value addition and marketing

Conclusion

Jaivik krishi if can be promoted and supported in earnest way it is one ray of hope to sustain mother earth. It can ensure higher yield per unit area, save lot of energy, manage climatic disasters, minimize the use of natural resources, provides nutritious and healthy food in vicinity, healthy environments, ensure lot of job opportunities and thus a planet worth to live. By assertive participation of every citizen in different capacity, we can ensure again the saying of Shree Bankim Chaddra Chatterji to harness natures bounties in form of

Vande Mataram!

Sujalam, suphalam, malayaja shitlam

Shasyashymalam, Mataram

Jaihind

NPM brings a new earning job

Mr. Rama Naik of Sugalimetta, Kurnool district, find a new job with NPM in full swing in Panyam mandal as a supplier of Cow Urine, Ghana Jeevamrith and Poison Nuts. Read the story that goes here.

Comparative Study in Rice

Here is a study comparing different methods of fertilizer application and its impact. The study was conducted for 3 seasons starting from Kharif,2007 in the field of Sri. Sankaraiha, V of Konidedu village of Kurnool dt, who has volunteered to change his style of farming. He is well in non-chemical way of production system since, 2006 after being immersed fully in chemicals for the past 10 years.

Here is the table showing details of study :Click here

Pesticide free farming

Non Pesticidal Management is an alternative model of Agriculture which largely depends on replacing external inputs with locally available resources, utilizes farmers’ knowledge and skills apart from traditional pest management practices with good understanding of the biology of insects / diseases and preventing them from reaching the damaging stage.

  Indira Kranthi Patham of SERP, Hyderabad has been implementing NPM since 2005. It began in a humble scale in Mahabubnagar district with 500 acres of redgram cultivation in 2004. Farmers could save by reducing expenditure to the extent of Rs 1500 to Rs 5000 in use of pesticides, without really affecting production levels. This encouraged IKP to launch a pilot of NPM implementation in 25,000 acres in 10 districts with the help of resource NGOs in 2005. The pilot program was highly successful and  has drawn the attention of farmers, NGOs and media. In ensuing years NPM attracted more and more farmers to participate, and now  it is being takenup in 185,000 acres covering 16 districts in A.P.

  In Kurnool, we as KVK took the responsibility of providing technical backstopping and field support for implementation of NPM since 2005 with collaboration of DRDA and its well organized SHGs in the district. It has been started in 1400 acres in Redgram, Paddy, Groundnut and Bengalgram with farmers of 22 villagesin 3 mandals viz., Midthur, Panyam and Gadivemula in Kharif, 2005 with almost 80% adoption rate. In the ensuing year of 2006, it has spread to 9 mandals with 11000 acres. In 2007, KVK has implemented NPM in 9000 acres with participation of 3 mandals. During the current year, it is being implemented by KVK in 12000 acres with 20 villages in Panyam mandal.

 Details of NPM from 2005 to 2007 in Kurnool district : 

Year	Clus ters	Total of NPM		Cropwise Area (ac)
		Far mers	Area (ac)	Rice	G.nut	S. flower	R. gram	B.gram	Chillis	Castor	Onion	Cotton
2005	3	1267	2154	1568			392	194
2006	11	5325	11106	4044	3003.5	643.5	1649	1062.5	239.5	240.5	223.5
2007	5	3109	8838	4196	809	1274	998	1175	157		40	189
KVK Total		9701	22098	9808	3812.5	1917.5	3039	2431.5	396.5	240.5	263.5	189

  Benefits perceived by NPM on livelihoods of farmers :

 ·         Saved investment on Pesticides thus effecting reduced cost of production in various crops.

·         Other perceived benefits to the community are  :

o   improved health of farmers, workers and consumers, because no pesticide residues in output & no exposure to pesticides. Saving in Medical expenses.

o   reduced dependency on markets for external inputs, as all the inputs are locally available.

o   improvement in the soil fertility, due to balanced fertilizer application and use of organic inputs like Jeevamrutham, Compost etc.

o   assured better quality of food with better production system, attracting premium.

o   wage employment opportunities created, i.e Activities like Neem seed procurement, Pounding,  preparation of botanical extracts, bio fertilizers and Bio-Pesticides etc

o   restoration of ecological balance by saving natural enemies in the crop environment.

o   improvement in the livestock health due to pesticide free feed and

o   reduced pollution of water bodies.

Estimated average cost reduction in pest management:

 

Crop	Cost of pesticides in farmers practice (Rs./ac)	NPM (Rs/ac)	Savings (Rs/ac)
Rice	1250	280	970
Groundnut	750	300	450
Cotton	8000	1000	7000
Chillies	15000	2000	13000
Groundnut	1000	300	700
Castor	2000	700	1300
Redgram	1200	400	800
Rice	1250	280	970

Mode of operation of the program :

At state level, all the participating NGOs were formed into ‘Sustainable Agriculture Consortium’ and shared the responsibilities for implementation of the program The consortium agreed to have self-regulating guidelines for implementation of the NPM program.

Implementation:

 At village level, a Village Activist selected and appointed by VO supports the program. Five such villages will form into a cluster.  A Cluster Coordinator selected and appointed by MMS would provide the technical assistance and facilitate the implementation of the program in a mandal. Identified NGOs will facilitate the program in the clusters. In new villages, minimum area under NPM should be 100 acres per village and 500 acres per cluster and at least 40 farmers per village should be participating.

Registration fee: Farmers participating in the program to pay Rs. 100/- as registration fee.  The fee would be credited with the VO and would be part of the program expenses.

 Organisation of the programme:

 The program is implemented by village level & Mandal level CBOs with the knowledge support from local NGOs, who have been provided with adequate training and resource material by SERP and CSA. 

 The arrangements are as follows:

 The facilitating NGOs will have an agreement with the MMS (Mandal Mahila Samakhyas) for facilitating the program. The cluster coordinators and the village activists would be reporting to the NGOs/CBOs.  A sub-committee at the MMS would monitor the implementation of the program. IKP would release the budgets directly to the MMS thorough Zilla Samakhyas. ZS will form a Sustainable Agriculture Committee among its members, who will monitor the program in the district. IKP will identify district anchorperson among LAs (environment) or CCs Each district should identify a lead NGO ( KVK for Kurnool), which will work in coordination with ZS.

Micro-Credit Plan (MCP):

 MCPs have been prepared at the village level for accurate assessment of input needs, technical facilitation effort and fund requirement. The village activist and cluster coordinators have facilitated the preparation of MCPs. The MCPs are also aggregated at MMS level. MCPs could be submitted to local bankers for raising finances.

 Village resource centres :

Though most of inputs for NPM are locally available, due to lack of organizing skills, farmers could not be able to procure the same in time. Hence, to make all the necessary inputs available at one place in the vicinity of the farmers, village level resource centers were established with SHG members taking active role to prepare kashayams, to procure and pound the Neem Seed and to make available other inputs like Pheromone traps, lures & bio-pesticides in time to the farmers on cost basis with minimum profits, through which they earn livelihood. This activity is supported by CBOs with due financing.

 Village Procurement Centers

 Village procurement centers are planned to be established in large number of villages where NPM activity is taken up, to provide with some premium to NPM produce. This would ensure farmers get a better price and fair weighment.

 Stress points over the period of time :

 2005-06 :      NPM as entry point activity + Marketing

2006-07:       NPM + Marketing + Working on reducing the usage of fertilizers + seed                                             management + Village enterprises

2007-08:       All the above + Farmers’ KVKs+ No dependency on external inputs + Community management of the programme + models on sustainable agriculture & organic farming.