For a mankind to survive, FOOD is
pre-requisite. Indians are proud about our good proportion of Intelligence at
forefront. Even if we fly high, do a space walk and make an expedition to
Antarctica, we should not forget about the fact of sitting down to EAT. Hunger
is the most serious problem than corruption and poverty. When people are fed
properly, the ethics and morale of the society increases and standard of living
is in good trend. The policy makers are more concern on the industries and IT
sectors for its economic development, forgetting that ignoring farming and
development of agricultural livelihood would end up in dependence on the FOOD
PRODUCING countries. If agrarian community is least bothered, the day of
dependence on alien land for all its inputs will force INDIA to days of
SLAVERY. The solution for the situation is encouraging farmers in an Organic
Way, a low cost, eco-friendly, easy and convenient practices, in a long run
helps more than 70 percent of the population to live with DIGNITY and in tune
with NATURE.
Organic
Farming: First Profession of Mankind
Organic Farming is a method of
cultivation done in line with nature. Food, fodder and livestock are raised in
an integrated way. Natural balance remains undisturbed even after many years of
Organic Farming. In other words, the web of life is integrated which results in
conservation of Biodiversity. Indian farmers were cultivating and “Farm
Husbanding” using natural way of cultivation for generations, which are evident
from the remains of Mohenjo-daro and Harappa. A typical Indian farmer had a
minimum of 50 pairs of livestock. Some of them used to help with the farm
activities like ploughing, pulling carts, water lifting and so on. Some of them
supplied milk and meat. The farm wastes were converted to farmyard manure. The
goats and sheep were their mobile banks (could sell whenever they need instant
money). The value of a farmer was estimated with the herd they possessed. The
hens gave egg and meat. Vegetable were grown in their backyard. People ate
farm-fresh food so remained hale and healthy. There was a network of LIVES.
Technological
Advancement and its Adversity:
In the post World War era, the use
of fertilizers and plant protection chemicals were introduced. With
modernization and mechanization we lost our treasure. With the entry of
tractors, the farmers preferred to lose cattle. The microbial load of
beneficial microorganisms was not fed to the fields. The minimum microbial load
present in the Indian soil was killed with the fresh supply of chemical
fertilizers which was introduced in the name of Green revolution. Chemical
fertilizers and plant protection chemicals first pollute the environment (air,
soil and water) then it enters the human system and creates health hazards,
yielding to ailments, prolonged sickness and even death. Presence of elemental
residues causes various diseases ranging from nausea to neurological toxicity,
Alzheimer to cancer. Over years of advanced agriculture, we lost our
traditional varieties which were pest resistant, disease resistant, salinity
resistant and which could withstand water stagnation and all possible natural
vagaries. Yes, OUR rich and varied collection of gene pool was lost as farmers
are forced to cultivate short duration varieties and high yielding varieties.
Overcoming
the Adversity – Organic Way:
Microbial load can be brought back
by Organic Farming techniques (Below ground changes) like Crop Rotation,
Organic Fertilizers, Seed Treatment / Bio Priming (Treating with Pseudomonas
and Trichoderma), Biofertilizers including VAM & AM – Biofertilizers
(induces Phosphatic utilization – Fungus & root symbiosis) encourages the
multiplication of beneficial organism and they naturally control the growth of
harmful organisms. Multi Crop Concept (Above ground changes) involves many
corps to grow in and around the field to get maximum biological activity.
Growing right Border Crops according to the selected farm activity acts like an
army to save the crop. Example is growing Bhendi (Okra / Lady’s Finger) in the
border of Paddy fields acts as yellow sticky trap. As the bright yellow flowers
attract harmful insects provided them food (pollen and nectar) and shelter and
protect the food crops from the harmful pests. Some of the attractant flowering
plants are Marigold, Gingelly (Sesame), and Sunflower. Some trap crops are
Mustard and Castor. Occimum spp plants are repellent crops including Tulsi
(Hence it is known as mosquito repellent plant).
When
habitat manipulation is done so as to encourage naturally farm friendly
organisms, the beneficial organisms live in the flowers and protect the main
crop from intensive sunshine and cold winds as it acts as barriers. When such
crop situation prevails, it is found that the populations of farm friendly
organisms like Bracon and Trichogramma (Parasitoids), Spiders and Reduviid Bug
(Predators), Pseudomons spp and Trichoderma spp (Bio pesticides).
Entomopathogenic fungicontacts the cuticle, forms appresoria, penetrates into
the insect, proliferates, produces toxins and ultimately kills the insect. The
proper selection of strains kills specific host range without disturbing
non-target insects. Entomopathogenic
nematodes (EPNs) are lethal pathogens of wide variety of insects. Biological
control with the help of EPN is a very efficient organic insect control method.
EPN are viable alternative to chemical pesticides. EPNs have a single free‐living stage, the
infective juvenile (IJ), carries bacteria in its gut. EPN and bacteria are
harmless to humans and other organisms. EPN are also used as a foliar spray to
control sucking pests and other foliar insects.
Such
organic farming practices when done is a systemic manner we are ensuring the
uninterrupted WEB of LIFE (Food Web). Inter-dependency of one organism feeding
on the other and the balance results in conserving the BIODIVERSITY. As a
result of the lives conserved at micro level (from microbes, insects) and macro
level (rodents, birds, trees) the mankind get the economic benefits. The same
principle may be applied to the forest ecosystems. When the small animals and
birds are provided opportunity to live and multiply, the wild life will be
conserves. Mere killing of rodents may result in the fall of the hawk
population (which fed on rodents). Spraying of pesticides reflect in the
fertility of men and immunity of mankind (as mother’s mild is found to have
pesticide residue). A typical field has a good number of
insects. There is a mix of beneficial and harmful insects. Beneficial insects
include natural enemies, which kills harmful insects. A natural enemy is
organisms which kill, harm and cause disease in other living organisms. There
are three types - predators, parasites and pathogens. Predators kill other
organisms. Parasites enter or attach to the bodies of their victims and feed on
their tissues and fluids ultimately kill them. Pathogens are microorganisms
which cause diseases. On application of pesticides to the field the farmers’
friend “beneficial insects” are the first where as the harmful insects get
resistance to the pesticide and gains resurgence which require higher dose of
insecticides to kill them. The pest management was wisely done by encouraging
the natural enemies. Cow’s urine was used to manage various crop diseases.
Herbal extracts like neem oil and neem based products were used to control
pests and diseases. The use of Panchakavya dates back to Vedic era. These
methods also helped in multiplication of the microbial load of the soil and
made them fertile.
In an organic field, the role of
earthworms is obvious. They are small tube like organisms who tirelessly work
to turn the earth from lowest strata of earth to top. Worms tunnel deeply in
the soil and bring subsoil closer to the surface mixing it with the topsoil. This
makes the formation of multitude of linear tunnels minute in diameter but
deeper below the subsurface. These tunnels lasts long even after the worms are
dead. These tunnels facilitates infiltration of water into subsurface, reduces
runoff, helps in harvesting rainwater. Such stored moisture is slowly released
to crop at summer season. In this process of tunneling it also maintains the
soil structure and enables the processes of aeration. Earthworm, the Farmers’
friend toils day long tillage in the fields. In the fields of organic
cultivation we could see the reserve moisture throughout the year. The latent
hard work of a large number of worms helps the crop survive when the other
areas are parched.
Earthworms live on what we call
WASTE. Yes, the feed on the vegetable wastes we throw leaves shed from trees
and any form of organic matter available in soil, and living organisms such as
nematodes, protozoans, rotifers, bacteria, fungi which are harmful to plant
growth. Their intake per day is one third of their body weight. The organic
matter it consumes gets digested in its body and it excretes in the form of
casts, a type of soil aggregate rich in nutrition. Thus Earthworm facilitates improving
soil fertility and deposits on the surface. Their role gains significance
because they convert larger organic matter into simple accessible form. This is
also Nutrition cycle. Slime, a secretion of earthworms, contains nitrogen.
Nitrogen is an important nutrient for plants. The sticky slime helps to hold
clusters of soil particles together in formations called aggregates. These have
greater role in porosity which helps in aeration and physical property of soil.
The micro-tunnels provide good root growth as they are lined with readily
available nutrients and make it easier for roots to penetrate deep into the
soil.
Due to fertilizer scarcity farmers were ready to pay twice or
thrice to purchase a bag of UREA and DAP which increased the cost of cultivation and
toxicity to both soil and environment. They were running between pillars in search of the
availability of fertilizers. Some innovative organic growers were in peace, not
worrying about the fertilizer scarcity. They just scooped the vermicompost
produced in their backyard and just spread (broadcasted) in the fields.
Compared to the fields with chemical fertilizers organic fields were
outstanding and the yield was comparatively higher. Vermicompost supplied many
minerals need for the complete crop growth. The pest load was very less due to
available farmers’ friends (natural predators and parasites) which took care of
the pest control. The farmer had no need to go for any pesticide spray as the
pests were below Economic Threshold Level. These were the visible advantages.
Beyond this there were more advantages like the vegetables had longer shelf
life, tasted better, and many more…In an organic field, earthworm
multiplication becomes natural and nutrition cycle is in full swing and the
field is not limited with any nutrition. The web of life is perfect in Organic
Farming and Earthworm has a great role to play in. It recycles nutrients and
supports micro-flora and fauna population. It also becomes a prey to birds and
it goes on. The load of earthworm in a field is directly proportionate to the
nature friendly living (ORGANIC).
Due to the chemical farming methods,
the earth worm population is greatly reduced. As a trend to turn back to nature
and regain the earthworm population farmers are rearing the valuable worms in
Vermicompost pits, either with permanent structures or temporary structures
made of Silpauline sheets. When vermicompost (the casts collected from the
pit), a rich source of nutrition is applied to fields, the crop stand is very
good due to supply of multiple nutrients. Often the field itself becomes a
vermicompost units and the applied vermicompost contains inoculums of cocoons,
from which earthworms’ population increases. Sometimes segments of earthworm reach
the field with vermicompost as earthworms have the ability to regenerate lost
segments, the population increases. After prolonged use of vermicompost the
lost microbial load in regained and so the quality of food we get from fields.
Sustainable
Development:
India is proud of its astronomical
feat of launching 104 satellites is a single go. On the other side, many
millions die of hunger, live in poverty and fight to meet their minimal basic
needs. The gap between haves and have-nots are getting wider. Hence the
livelihood of farming community is least bothered. White collared jobs are
considered superior but the irony is the mean attitude people have towards the
one who puddles with mud to feed the world. Ignoring the pain and cost of
production of FOOD, the farmer could not fix price for his farming produced.
The cost of all inputs, seeds, fertilizers, pesticides are alarming whereas the
cost of farming produce is highly seasonal and not economical.
Organic Farming paves a way towards
a sustainable development. When a farmer decides to turn down all the chemicals
and mechanization the input cost gets drastically reduced. The net return is
reduced harvest but of superior quality without polluting nature and harming
the biodiversity. Hence it is time to seek old wine in new bottle - The
traditional agriculture in the name of Organic Farming. Organic farming uses
crop rotations and cover crops which help in balance of nutrient supply. Cover
crops and composted manure are used to maintain soil organic matter and
fertility. Balanced host/predator relationships were encouraged for pest and
disease management without any external factor. Organic residues and nutrients
produced on the farm are recycled back to the soil with the active
participation of Earthworms and soil microbes. Organic farming protects the
environment, minimize soil degradation and erosion, decrease pollution, and
optimize biological productivity.
Organic Farming is gaining
importance to gain back what we lost - A healthy life, a sustainable economy
and integrated development. In this age of globalization, an organic
certification helps to reach the global market. The developed countries consume
organic foods but sells to developing countries like India, genetically
modified seeds, fertilizers and pesticides which they produce. It is time to
get up and make use of this marketing game.
This article is also published in http://indianwildlifeclub.com/ezine/view/details.aspx?aid=1159
Organic Farming is a method of
crop production which involves an integration of different farming systems like
crop, cattle, fish, poultry etc. The
bio-network forms a cycle of effective utilization of resources which often
results in sustainability through the enhancement of soil fertility and
biological diversity.
Puddling the paddy field with
tractor accompanied with a fleet of White Plumage Friends was an evidence of biodiversity.
The fleets comprising of Egrets and Herons with a large number of Cattle Egrets
were literally cleaning the field. I saw similar situation of white Plumage
friends voraciously feeding on grubs and insects during summer ploughing of the
fields too. Summer Ploughing (Ploughing the field during summer to recharge
soil profile) helps to kill weeds, hibernating insects and disease-causing
organisms by exposing them to the summer. Activity of White Plumage friends
were seen during summer ploughing of organic Farm too. They were actively
feeding on the grubs and insects which were hidden in the field brought up due
to the tillage. This activity of Plumage Friends would reduce the cost of Plant
Protection to the farmer. When the grubs and insects are controlled at the
initial stage of crop cultivation the crops grow with low pest load. Hence the need
for pesticide usage is greatly reduced. The presence of Plumage Friends for the
entire crop duration would keep the insect population in control. This condition
favors the biodiversity and ensures food security for the people. 
It is obvious that role of
plumage friends are vital and pave a way to healthy living. They are present
right from the land preparation activity in the field. They are active in action
to keep the pests in control throughout the cropping period. They also save the
crop from rodent damage at the final stage (Pre - harvesting) of the crop. Organic
Farming is the way of cultivating crops including many organisms in a network.
All interlinked in such a way the ecological balance is maintained. On
contrary, if pesticides are sprayed to protect the crop, the Plumage friends’
lose their feed. On feeding the insects with pesticide load result in thin
shelled eggs hence the population reduction results in INCREASED PEST LOAD due
to absence of Plumage friends to keep it in control. Then it is a vicious cycle
to use even more pesticides. Ultimately the entire biodiversity is disturbed.
Let us encourage and educate of farmers to turn to Organic farming and feed the
world naturally. 
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