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A Fukuoka there, a Cherkady here ...
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Forty years ago, a Japanese young man noticed a few paddy ears sticking out from the grass and weeds in an unploughed, neglected patch of land. That was the origin of 'One-straw Revolution' of Masanobu Fukuoka : the discovery of a farming method - a method without water/tilling/fertiliser in land 'unfit' for farming; which has now become a historical landmark. Almost around the same time a young man from Udupi District in Karnataka State, India, Cherkady Ramachandra Rao realised the Gandhian concept of self-reliance, in a similar situation. The 'Cherkadi' Paddy growing method was originated, when he noticed a healthy, buxom paddy plant growing in pepper filled slopes. This method can be adapted even by the hill tribes who have no irrigation facility at the hilltop. If the wave of 'Green revolution' had not drowned Cherakdi's discovery, we wouldn't have had to turn the pages of 'history' to know more about it. There are remarkable similarities between Fukuoka and Cherkadi Ramachandra Rao. Both stress the importance of self-reliance, without external inputs, and have followed self-sustained agricultural methods. While Fukuoka is recognised world-over; our own people do not know about 'desi thinker' - Cherkadi Ramachandra Rao, a true Gandhian. His farm life not only demonstrates the strength of eco-friendly farming but also the relevance of Gandhian ideology. Self reliance:Ramachancdra Rao, who is now 84, still recollects the old memories which were a turning point in his life: "When I was working in Khadhi Board, I used to make my own cloth. In 1948-49, famine struck, and I was caught by Gandhi's call to produce our own food and clothing. This I ended up in this field, and grew my cloth. A new thought came when I saw a paddy plant forked into 16 branches, growing in the middle of pepper climbers. I could gather ˝ kilogram of paddy from that! I sowed more paddy in between pepper, which gave enough paddy for two us. People, ministers, collectors came. Syndicate Agricultural Foundation popularised this effort."
Read this note by a visitor to Cherkadi farm: “When I heard about Fukuoka; I wondered whether it is practical. After seeing this farm by Cherkadi, I realised that there is no point in searching for Fukuokas outside! Let Cherkadi be a model to those who kill agriculture by sowing the seeds of techno-culture!” On road to Hebri from Brahmavar in Udupi District in coastal Karnataka, Ramachandra Rao has one hectare of land. Mango, coconut, black pepper, cashew, cotton – all grow in this dry-land. A small cottage. No electricity, Kerosine lamp for light. A traditional well, a pond, no pump set. At this old age, Rao draws water from 40 feet deep well, to water 20-30 trees every day. The other works are shouldered by his youngest son Ananda Rao. Varieties of crops: There are 8-10 mango trees, like Alfanso, and other hybrid varieties, which bring 4000 rupees per year. Cherkadi also sells the silk cotton pods. The pepper veins yield 200-250 kilograms per year. If the banana brings 1000 rupees, the coconut palms’ dry fronds are easily sold as fuel bringing 1000 rupees. Cashewnut of 4-5 quintal per year; and 2000 coconuts are harvested per year. The silk cotton’s dry pod is used as domestic fuel wood. The cottonseed oil is sometimes used as a substitute for kerosene. He used ‘sarvodaya pully’ to draw water it requires a little woodwork and fitting accessories. “We could draw 100 buckets of water in 10 minutes.” “ See, now there is water even in May. With pump, the well would have become dry in just three months”. The tree base is covered with dry leaves, and grass. “Look, how wet the soil is!” he proudly shows. “ I never was interested in Areka or Jasmine. I give importance only to food grains and fruits. My jack tree from Ceylon yields fruits worth 1000 rupees every year!” Not for nothing that Fukuoka explained the self-replenishing power of the soil. We just need to assist the earth, that is all, he says. Rao does not believe in insuring the crop. “ These long standing perennial trees are insurance! Which can be relied upon in drought. Oh; here is my fixed deposit. Ginger crop – when the market rate of the harvested crop is not good, I bury them like this, till I get good rates ... they are like buried treasure ...!” Manure from human
waste: A 3x3 feet square pit in dug, and a septic tank is fixed at the top. The bottom lid automatically opens downwards when weight falls on it, and closes again. The pit is added with dry leaves every day. “Good manure in 3-4 months –without any bad smell.” While he sells pineapple - he places the crown of pineapple at the root of coconut trees, where there is plenty of moisture. They take root, facilitating easy transplantation during rains – “Agriculture means, tapping of such minute benefits.” Another interesting discovery he made is: plants grow well near the anthills.
Cherkady Rao leads a peaceful life, without grumbling about poverty and meager income. “I have set no target for any tree to yield a fixed quantity of crop. Let the trees give me what they can naturally grow. It is wrong to force them to yield more by spraying, etc. The necessities are met when the profit comes from different origins.” In this dry land forming, Rao saves almost 20,000 rupees per year! “My intention is, to do farming, without exploiting excess of water. Taking loan is something I would never agree with.” Recently, a bank official came forward to give loan for solar lights. Rao said, “when I calculated the interest that I would be paying, I decided to continue using kerosine lamp, which costs less than that interest!” One of the sarvodya activists had published ‘Cherkadi – methods’ in a book form. Rao says: “we should use machines only when absolutely needed and not let them rule us. We should not be a burden to the nation/society/our children”. He also adds three ideals, “we should be self reliant, at least 75 per cent. We should not desire for the unreachable goals. When we face unexpected crisis in agriculture we better accept it/yield to it.” One of the senior bank officers who visited Rao’s farm nobserved that
“Instead of giving loans under IRDP – Integrated Rural Development
Programme - to farmers, they must
be told this success story to be tried in their fields.” What can the children learn about nature, caged within four walls? Nature is God. Why go in search of another God? Let us not be ticks sucking blood from mother but be children who drink the milk from nature”- Rao gives the message. He buys very little; some kerosene, Khadi cloth, a little oil cake for farming. It anyone needs to realise how helplessly we are caught up in the consumer culture and push-button techno-society, he should visit Cherkadi’s farm once! Those who complain about the problem-ridden rain dependent agriculture must come to Cherkadi’s farm. The small farmers, policy makers, and extension specialists who have the determination /zeal to do hard work; and an open mind to observe and learn new things must see Cherkadi once, even if they don’t believe in Fukuoka’s theory. Rao gladly welcomes anyone who wants more information. Address:
Source: Adike Pathrike
Also read: Relevance of Gandhi - Cherkady way |
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