Report Wire

Tag: organic farming

  • Padma Shri awards: Saviour of indigenous seeds bets large on millets

    Express News Service

    CHANDIGARH:  A farmer from Nanj village in Karsog valley in Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh, Nekram Sharma, has been conferred with the celebrated Padma Shri award for his contribution in agriculture, particularly natural farming. Over three many years in the past, Nekram tried for a authorities job however was unsuccessful. He turned to the 22 bighas of his household land mendacity unused and began rising vegatables and fruits. He additionally experimented with natural farming and adopted outdated farming methods.

    Sharma has been rising 9 kinds of grains via natural farming. However, his duty has now elevated manifold as he must work at the least 18 hours a day as in opposition to 14 hours earlier. “It is the International Year of Millets. In the approaching competition in Mandi, In the upcoming agri fest in Mandi, I’ve requested district administration that I must be allowed to place up two stalls – one by which I may show millets and the opposite to cook dinner and serve to the general public in order that folks know the advantages of millets,’’ he stated.

    People name him a ‘saviour’ of indigenous seeds as Nekram has adopted nau-anaj (nine-crop sample) observe, an intercropping methodology by which 9 meals grains are grown on the identical piece of land. In 2010, when he carried out Nau-Anaj, it impressed different farmers within the area as properly, prompting them to type Parvatiye Tikau Kheti Abhiyan (PTKA), a cooperative of farmers.

    Since then, 1000’s of farmers have linked with him with calls for coming from Punjab, Haryana, UP, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Telangana. The farmers go to him to purchase the seeds, however those that can’t, request their provides by courier, which he does. He cultivates foxtail millet, maize, finger millet, buckwheat, Amaranthus rajma, urad dal, moong and beans. 

    “In a yr, one can develop 18 crops (9 every for kharif and rabi). This cropping sample has a number of advantages because it not solely raises soil fertility but in addition causes much less water consumption with nearly zero enter prices. There are round 20 indigenous seeds, together with eight kinds of millets, three sorts of wheat, via intercropping system,’’ he stated.

    CHANDIGARH:  A farmer from Nanj village in Karsog valley in Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh, Nekram Sharma, has been conferred with the celebrated Padma Shri award for his contribution in agriculture, particularly natural farming. Over three many years in the past, Nekram tried for a authorities job however was unsuccessful. He turned to the 22 bighas of his household land mendacity unused and began rising vegatables and fruits. He additionally experimented with natural farming and adopted outdated farming methods.

    Sharma has been rising 9 kinds of grains via natural farming. However, his duty has now elevated manifold as he must work at the least 18 hours a day as in opposition to 14 hours earlier. “It is the International Year of Millets. In the approaching competition in Mandi, In the upcoming agri fest in Mandi, I’ve requested district administration that I must be allowed to place up two stalls – one by which I may show millets and the opposite to cook dinner and serve to the general public in order that folks know the advantages of millets,’’ he stated.

    People name him a ‘saviour’ of indigenous seeds as Nekram has adopted nau-anaj (nine-crop sample) observe, an intercropping methodology by which 9 meals grains are grown on the identical piece of land. In 2010, when he carried out Nau-Anaj, it impressed different farmers within the area as properly, prompting them to type Parvatiye Tikau Kheti Abhiyan (PTKA), a cooperative of farmers.

    Since then, 1000’s of farmers have linked with him with calls for coming from Punjab, Haryana, UP, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Telangana. The farmers go to him to purchase the seeds, however those that can’t, request their provides by courier, which he does. He cultivates foxtail millet, maize, finger millet, buckwheat, Amaranthus rajma, urad dal, moong and beans. 

    “In a yr, one can develop 18 crops (9 every for kharif and rabi). This cropping sample has a number of advantages because it not solely raises soil fertility but in addition causes much less water consumption with nearly zero enter prices. There are round 20 indigenous seeds, together with eight kinds of millets, three sorts of wheat, via intercropping system,’’ he stated.

  • Organic farming modified the destiny of greater than 8 thousand farmers, authorities division giving grant of crores

    Hamirpur: In Hamirpur district of Uttar Pradesh, hundreds of farmers have now taken steps in the direction of natural farming retaining distance from chemical fertilizers. Meanwhile, 8250 farmers are doing natural farming attributable to low value and big revenue from natural farming. To promote its cultivation, the division can be operating varied schemes right here, during which the Agriculture Department has additionally offered a grant of Rs 5.61 crore to the farmers.

    Five a long time in the past in Hamirpur district, farmers used to make use of solely cow dung manure for farming in villages. It was a practice to plow the fields with oxen, however with the change of time, the farmer began utilizing chemical fertilizers to supply crops, on account of which the fertility of the land has grow to be weak in lots of areas at present. Due to costly chemical fertilizers and different divine calamities, the farmer has to bear the price. It is claimed that the Yogi authorities has applied many schemes for the farmers to advertise natural farming. Due to which the graph of natural farming is repeatedly rising right here. Rishi Shukla of Patanpur village stated that natural farming in 4 hectares has given manifold advantages. The crop produced from natural manure stays match for well being. Told that wheat, gram and different crops are being grown in natural farming. In which the price can be much less.

    Deputy Director Agriculture Harishankar Bhargava stated that eight villages in each block of Hamirpur district have been chosen for natural farming. It was informed that for natural farming farmers are given a grant of Rs 4800 within the first yr, whereas within the second yr Rs 4000 and within the third yr a grant of Rs 3600 is being given within the farmers’ account. It was knowledgeable that farmers have sown rabi in additional than 1.29 lakh hectare space within the district. In these, natural farming is being performed in additional than 3300 hectare space. Told that Gopi Charan has been awarded Mangalpur Kurara by the CM for working within the area of Gaushala and natural farming. Apart from this, all of the farmers together with Kaushal Kishore, Pawan Tiwari, Ramshodar, Rajendra Singh are additionally coaching the farmers relating to natural farming.

    Thousands of farmers are doing natural farming in 150 villages
    Deputy Director Agriculture Harishankar Bhargava stated that natural farming is being performed in 150 villages of Sumerpur, Kurara, Maudaha, Muskara, Rath, Sarila and Gohand blocks of Hamirpur. Eight and 1 / 4 thousand farmers are taking enormous earnings by doing farming. Farmer Producer Organization (FPO) has been fashioned by way of natural farmers within the blocks. In the Kurara space itself, the Organic Farmer Producer Organization has ready a mannequin of nature and natural farming in Badanpur by conserving 80 villages.

    Government giving bumper grant for natural farming
    Deputy Director Agriculture stated that at current natural farming is being performed in 3300 hectares in 150 villages. Farmers are repeatedly rising the scope of natural farming. According to the scheme of the federal government, bumper grants are additionally being given to the farmers doing natural farming for 3 years. It was informed {that a} plan to begin natural farming has been began from 2019-20, during which to date Rs 5.61 crore has been despatched to the accounts of 8250 farmers within the district as a grant.

    Report: Pankaj Mishra

  • Government working 2 schemes for promotion of natural farming

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The authorities has been implementing two schemes for promotion of natural farming via cluster and Farmer Producer Organisations (FPO) since 2015-16, Lok Sabha was knowledgeable on Tuesday.

    The two schemes are Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) and Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER).

    Union Minister of State for Agriculture Kailash Choudhary mentioned each the schemes stress on end-to-end assist to natural farmers — from manufacturing to processing, certification and advertising to submit harvest administration assist, together with processing, which helps to carry down value of natural merchandise.

    Under the PKVY, farmers are offered monetary help of Rs 50,000 per hectare for 3 years out of which Rs 31,000 per hectare for 3 years is offered on to farmers via DBT for on-farm and off-farm natural inputs, he mentioned throughout Question Hour.

    The minister mentioned monetary help of Rs 20 lakh per cluster of 1,000 hectares for 3 years is offered for worth addition and infrastructure creation.

    Under MOVCDNER, a sum of Rs 46,575 per hectare for 3 years is offered for creation of FPOs, assist to farmers for natural inputs, high quality seeds and planting materials and coaching, hand holding and certification.

    Choudhary mentioned need-based help is offered for submit harvest infrastructure and worth addition as much as most restrict of Rs 600 lakh for built-in processing unit, Rs 37.50 lakh for built-in pack home, Rs 18.75 lakh every for refrigerated automobile and chilly retailer parts, Rs 10.0 lakh for assortment, aggregation, grading and customized hiring centre and Rs 6.0 lakh for 4 wheeler and transportation.

  • Organic farming practices get a lift in Kollam

    By Express News Service

    KOLLAM: A mannequin capability constructing programme for farmers in natural practices has been launched within the district. The beneficiaries are farmers coated by 9 Krishi Bhavans below the Kollam company and Mukhathala block panchayat.

    The programme is a part of the Bhartiya Prakritik Krishi Padhati (BPKP), a joint initiative of the union and state departments of agriculture. It started with a day-long coaching for chosen farmers within the preparation of natural manure on Friday.

    The programme will introduce sustainable and reasonably priced strategies for farmers which is able to mirror available in the market sooner or later, stated Preetha L, Assistant Director of Agriculture, Eravipuram. “The prices of organic produce are high and hence unaffordable to a majority of the population. If farmers can develop organic manure on their own, the cost of cultivation can be brought down. Consumers will get the crops at affordable prices,” she informed The New Indian Express.

    The undertaking space, 500 hectares of land below the 9 Krishi Bhavans, has been divided into ten microclusters. The farmers will probably be educated within the manufacturing and use of 15 sorts of natural manure throughout three years. On Friday, twenty chosen farmers got coaching within the preparation of six sorts of manures. The subsequent step is community-level coaching and manufacturing on the Krishi Bhavans. The Farmer Interest Group in every Krishi Bhavan will probably be given Rs 87,500 for the preparation of chosen sorts of manures which will probably be distributed to native farmers. Later, demonstrations will probably be held in particular person plots. Eighteen plots will probably be chosen in every microcluster.

    The state Department of Agriculture Development and Farmers’ Welfare additionally plans a Karshika Mela for the show and sale of the crops produced below the programme. The programme will assist in revitalising the earth by the manufacturing of helpful microbes, says Preetha. “The demonstrations will help us to take the message of organic farming benefits to the farmers falling under the 500 hectares. Results will be collected and there will be an organic certification for farmers,” she stated.

  • Lessons from the tenth century: Kerala takes ayurveda route to spice up natural farming

    Express News Service

    THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The agriculture division is now returning to Vedic roots to propagate Vrikshayurveda, the traditional science of flora, amongst natural farmers within the state. The physique of information has been systematically compiled within the type of a whole lot of Sanskrit slokas by Surapala, roughly 1,000 years in the past.

    Though the textual content compiled by Surapala, royal doctor of King Bhimapala through the tenth century A D, had fallen into oblivion for a number of centuries, Y L Nene, chairman, Asian Agri History Foundation, had obtained a replica of the manuscript from the Bodleian library at Oxford and acquired it translated into English by Nalini Sadhale which was later launched in 1996.

    The Vrikshayurveda was first documented in Chanakya’s Arthashastra. Varahamihira and Sargadhara additionally defined concerning the historical plant science.

    Now, the Kerala chapter of the Asian Agri-History Foundation in affiliation with the agriculture division is advocating completely different ayurveda preparations, talked about within the holistic remedy textual content for efficient plant administration, for natural farmers within the state below the ‘Subhiksham Surakshitham – Bharatiya Prakartik Krishi Padhathi (Kerala Agro Ecology-based Biodiversity Conservation) mission.

    If Surapala’s Vrikshayurveda paperwork and praises natural manure cum pesticide constructed from fish and animal waste known as Kunapa Jal, the agriculture division suggests natural Kunapa Jal (natural decoction) made utilizing a dozen weeds, cowdung, jaggery, sprouted black gram and so on. It may be made by placing all these substances in a bucket and permitting them to ferment in a spot with out publicity to daylight for a specific interval.

    C V Jidhesh, assistant director, agriculure division, and founder-secretary of Asian Agri-History Foundation Kerala, mentioned, “It will take some time for the organic manure to fully disintegrate in the soil. For instance, if we apply the cowdung powder directly into the soil, it absorbs around 17 per cent of the nutrients in the cowdung in a year, while it will be 51 per cent if the compost made of cowdung were to be applied in the soil. So, if we make herbal ayurveda preparation mentioned in the Vrikshayurveda, the results can be more rewarding.”

    “Further, these preparations will allow organic farmers to follow a holistic crop management system like pre-sowing treatment of seeds, growing intercrops, pest management, balanced nutrition and optimum use of water while making optimum use of plant population in the farms. This will also ensure that the farmer will get a harvest equal to the produce of inorganic chemical fertiliser appliedfarming. The department has now set its sights on bringing 500 ha of farmland in each block in the state under the new model in one year, for which it has formed farmer interest groups in cluster level to impart training to farmers and create resource persons at the field level,” he mentioned.

    Okay Vasuki, agriculture director, mentioned, “This will not only reduce the dependence on chemical fertilisers and pesticides in the state, but also bring down weedicide application in farmlands by making use of weeds in crop management. The farm trials held in the state promise smooth transition from chemical agriculture to organic way of cultivation in a short span of time. This will also play a crucial role in building an eco-friendly environment in the state,” she added.

  • Mangal Ram grew to become profitable farmer by doing natural farming, others are additionally studying the tactic of natural farming

    Various chemical fertilizers, use of poisonous pesticides, alternate of nature between organic and inorganic supplies to realize most crop manufacturing within the competitors of meals manufacturing by people to provide meals with the inhabitants Definitely impacts. Due to which the fertility of the land is deteriorated in addition to the surroundings can be polluted and ultimately its impact reads on human well being. Since agriculture is the mainstay of our rural financial system and the principle supply of revenue of farmers is agriculture. Therefore, growing crop manufacturing is turning into needed in view of the growing inhabitants. Therefore, the usage of chemical fertilizers and pesticides within the subject is turning into a compulsion for the farmers, however to avoid wasting water, land, air and surroundings from getting polluted, natural farming is now the one possibility.
    The sequence offered on this sequence is a couple of hard-working and strong-thinking farmer Mangaluram Korram (father Haraodi Ram Korram), Mangaluram, a resident of village Bhandaravandi (Khaspara) in Vikas Block Farsgaon used to domesticate paddy in his 08 acres of potted land. There was no query of further revenue from this agriculture primarily grown in Marhan land and to extend its restricted revenue, Mangaluram has offered a commendable instance to different farmers of the district by doing natural farming for 20 years. Mangaluram says that his youthful brother was first focused on natural farming from the start, for this his brother took coaching in natural farming from the coaching institute in Hyderabad and discovered the methods of earthworm manure. They additional state that earthworms are ready in particular varieties of pits for the manufacturing of this vermicompost and that within the quick time period, the usage of natural manure by making natural manure is utilized in farming. For higher development and fast breeding of earthworms, it’s essential to have 30 to 35 p.c moisture in addition to correct air flow and depth of the pit can be taken care of. Almost this complete course of takes three to 4 months. The higher floor of the pit is blackened indicating the preparation of vermicompost. After the vermicompost is prepared, it ought to be piled on the open space and dried within the shade, however particular care ought to be taken to maintain the moisture in it. The earthworms current in it accumulate on the underside floor which can be utilized as mom tradition to be put in one other pit.

  • Organic farming by getting ready natural manure and natural pesticides from cow dung and cow urine in Dhamtari

    Organic farming by making natural manure and natural pesticide medicines from cow dung and cow urine of Gaumata is making numerous crops rice, radish, bhata, Khem Sahu Kurra resident close to Sambalpur in entrance of Tata Motors showroom in Chanabut Raipur Road. The weight of radish is three and a half kilos and it is vitally smooth, the load of reflux additionally stays as much as one kilo. Its style and odor can be very stunning and pure. Khem Sahu can be doing natural farming of rice in his village Kurra. In the current state of affairs, all of the meals, vegetables and fruit produced by means of chemical fertilizers and pesticides is turning into very harmful for the physique, its important high quality components are additionally being polluted. Its pure style and aroma has additionally disappeared. District Workman Mohan Lal Sahu of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh Dhamtari says that using chemical pesticides and manure grains, vegetables and fruit has decreased the physique’s resistance.

    The physique’s immunity has decreased a lot that even the frequent sickness fever, chilly, cough with out antibiotic medication just isn’t cured. While this antibiotic medication just isn’t appropriate for the physique. Earlier, natural farming was produced from cow dung manure and cow urine of Gaumata. Due to this the immunity of human physique was fairly good. The illness was additionally cured through the use of antibiotics with out the standard medicines. Man’s age was additionally very lengthy. Due to using chemical fertilizers and pesticides, severe ailments associated to the physique like liver, kidney, and many others. have gotten incurable and different ailments like most cancers. The use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides is decreasing the land fertilizer capability, the land is turning into barren. The pure steadiness can be deteriorating. The lifetime of different animals, animals and birds is being affected together with people. Birds tweeting in the home courtyard are additionally disappearing. In truth, the significance of cow breeding must be given extra emphasis in current instances. There is life within the creation solely by the preservation and promotion of Gaumata. All peasant brothers ought to perform a public consciousness marketing campaign by selling natural manure produced from cow dung, cow urine.

  • Budget 2021-22: Govt ought to present extra funds, incentives for agri sector, say specialists

    The authorities ought to present extra funds in addition to incentives within the upcoming Budget to advertise indigenous farm analysis, oilseeds manufacturing, meals processing and natural farming for the general development of the agriculture sector, in keeping with trade specialists.
    The direct profit switch (DBT) scheme ought to be utilised extra to help farmers as a substitute of giving subsidies, they added.
    “Food processing industry has played an important role in better price realisation for the farmer and reducing the cost of intermediaries. The budget must provide special incentives to food processing through incentives such as interest subvention, lower taxes, access to technology and so on,” DCM Shriram Chairman and Senior MD Ajay Shriram stated.
    Referring to the profitable PM-KISAN scheme beneath which Rs 6,000 is paid yearly immediately into farmers financial institution accounts, he stated the DBT mechanism ought to be fine-tuned and regularly ought to be utilized to help farmers in lieu of different subsidies.
    “Let the farmer decide how to judicially use the money. With the benefit of DBT, farmers can then buy better seed, use new-age fertilizers, optimize water usage and so on,” Shriram stated.
    Stating that many Indian startups have invested within the agri-technology house, he advocated for a coverage that encourages development of those firms and adoption of newest methods.
    He stated there has not been any vital breakthrough lately from indigenous agricultural analysis and growth (R&D) and this might be partly on account of useful resource crunch.
    “Two areas that need immediate attention are firstly linking agricultural research with industry requirements and secondly avoiding ideological resistance to new-age technologies such GM crops,” Shriram stated.
    Consulting agency Deloitte India recommended that extra funds ought to be allotted for analysis and growth in addition to for growing the home manufacturing of oilseeds to scale back imports of cooking oils.
    Stating that livestock farming is among the key pillars for augmenting farmers’ revenue, the consulting agency stated one of many huge impediments for growth of this sector is the prevalence of assorted illnesses that have an effect on mortality, productiveness, and general manufacturing.
    “Supply of vaccines is not adequate to address the increasing demand. Funding for developing vaccines and creating necessary infrastructure would be required in this budget,” Deloitte stated.
    Chirag Arora, Founder, Organisch Overseas, stated the federal government should encourage farmers to undertake natural farming.
    “The need of the hour is to encourage the private sector into the space by offering tax incentives to startups venturing into this domain. It also needs to augment investment on creation of cold-chains and increase storage capabilities,” Arora stated.
    Last month, in a digital pre-budget session with the finance ministry, Bharat Krishak Samaj (BKS) had stated that the federal government ought to incentivise balanced use of fertilisers by growing urea value and decreasing charges of phosphatic and potassic (P&Okay) vitamins within the upcoming Budget.
    BKS Chairman Ajay Vir Jakhar had additionally sought discount in taxes on diesel and transport subsidy on vegatables and fruits, however demanded tax on unhealthy meals. He had pitched for tripling funding for micro-irrigation and photo voltaic pumps for particular person farmers in addition to funding for distribution of soil moisture measuring sensors.
    “Prioritize investment in human resources over infrastructure. There are about 50 per cent vacancies in agriculture research institutions across India. Target 2 per cent expenditure on agri R&D of agriculture GDP over the next few years,” BKS had stated.