Drawing inspiration from farmers, who have been successful in using organic farming methods to improve yields significantly, the small farmers of Balaghat are steadily replacing the use of chemicals for paddy and vegetable cultivation with Jeevamrita and other organic products, thereby ensuring greater productivity and enriching soil fertility.
Drawing inspiration from farmers, who have been successful in using organic farming methods to improve yields significantly, the small farmers of Balaghat are steadily replacing the use of chemicals for paddy and vegetable cultivation with Jeevamrita and other organic products, thereby ensuring greater productivity and enriching soil fertility.
Introduction
T here are many definitions for organic farming, but the one provided by US Department of Agriculture (USDA) is considered the most appropriate. Organic farming is defined as “a system that is designed and maintained to produce agricultural products by the use of methods and substances that maintain the integrity of organic agricultural products until they reach the consumer”. This method of farming is an ecological production management system that promotes and enhances biodiversity, biological cycles and soil biological activity. It is based on minimal use of off-farm inputs and on management practices that restore, maintain and enhance ecological harmony. Even the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) relies on this understanding.
This year, the Balaghat team was trained in different organic farming practices, and understood the ways by which it is more advantageous than chemical-based agriculture. Some of the practices were tested on crops such as paddy and on some vegetables such as brinjal, tomato, onion, chilli and garlic.
Owing to my interest in organic farming, I visited Subash Sharma’s farm in Wardha (Maharashtra) last year, along with another three colleagues from Pradan. Mr. Sharma shared his rich experience about chemical and organic practices. He has been practising organic farming for a decade and does not use any chemicals or hybrid seeds. Sharma has 25 acres of irrigated land, on all of which he practises organic farming. He used to rely on chemicals before he switched to organic methods. He was primarily attracted by the fact that organic practices are cheaper than chemical-based farming.