A novel movement on eco-friendly farming
by Vijay Angady
|
|
Self-help extension: A novel movement on eco-friendly farming by Vijay Angady |
|
With their own finance and initiative, hundreds of farmers in Hassan District of Karnataka (India) are conducting need-based programmes on eco-friendly farming since 1996. This is a successful example of self-help extension. Mr. Vijay Angady narrates this success story.
You can see such developments in many villages of Hassan district of Karnataka. A large group of farmers have created wonders since 1996. They have constituted an informal club known as ‘Parisara Priya Krishikara Sanghatane’ (Forum of eco-friendly farmers). With the active support of farmers they are organizing eco-friendly farmers' workshops since 1996 to disseminate information on organic farming, low/no cost technology, alternatives for chemicals, importance of mulching, utilization of weeds and organic wastes and soil-water conservation. The concept was mooted and the functioning of the forum is being supervised by Karnataka Rajya Vignana Parishath’s Hassan Unit. KRVP is a state-level body involved in popularising science among common people. Till 1999 monthly workshops were conducted. Now it is conducted once in three months. The workshops are held in the farmers’ field and participants are informed about the recent developments in the farm sector, shortcomings, desirable modifications required etc. Seven tours have already been conducted (once in six months) to expose themselves to new ideas of farmers of other districts. Expenses regarding conducting workshops and tours will be borne purely by farmers. This farmers’ forum has not accepted financial assistance from the government or any finance organization. Everything is a person-to-person communication. As such no ledger of account book has been maintained, but systematic accounts will be submitted in the meetings. A membership fee of Rs.100/- to print small booklets along with invitation and to bear postal charge and guest expenses is being collected from an obliging farmer.
Till November 2000, 36 fruitful programmes in different farmers’ fields have been organised. In all these functions, an experienced farmer-guest conducts the programme like a teacher and participating farmers are the students. Hundreds of farmers (Irrespective of their caste, creed, sex, age, position and political background) will sit together in the field for discussion. Host farmer will provide food with great pleasure for all the farmers on that day. Marvelous developments and changes have been noticed through this movement in this area. Many farmers have reduced usage of chemical fertilizer and pesticides and adopted organic farming with low cost technologies. They have learnt about proper utilisation of farm wastes without burning, minimum tillage, preparation of enriched compost, preservation of promising local varieties, conservation of soil and water, preparation of biopesticides and vermicompost. They know the importance of crop diversity for becoming self-sufficient and to minimise production costs. Results are clear. KRVP estimated that more than six crore rupees has been benefited through high yield, reduced expenditure on pesticides, fertilizers and labour, less dependency on underground water by adopting low/no cost indigenous techniques. Lot of awareness has been created to grow produce without application of harmful chemicals and fertilizers to maintain good health and good environment. VIJAY ANGADY |
|
|
Planting trees is not the only way of environmental protection. Putting an end to hazardous chemical usage preserving crop diversity, precious water and soil conservation and recycling of huge organic wastes play major role in retarding environmental degradation.