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