ORGANIC FARMING STEP WISE APPROACH

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Opal Johnson
7 years ago
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1 ORGANIC FARMING STEP WISE APPROACH 1. Village selection Paryavaran Avam Gramin Vikas Sansthan (PAGVS) is engaged in different types of social activities in Solan and Sirmour Distt, for the last 12 years. Prior to organic farming activities PAGVS has been involved vigourously in potable water, water for irrigation, micro-financing, income generation, rain water harvesting, floriculture, medicinal and aromatic plants related activities etc,. By adjudging the impact of these activities, farmers of surrounding areas approached PAGVS to start such activities in their areas also. Initially PAGVS started the campaign of organic farming in two villages which later on spread in number of villages. As it is the need of hour, farmers approached PAGVS to undertake activities of organic farming in their respective areas too. Before the final selection of any particular village we have certain yard sticks which include:- 1. Accessibility of the area. 2. Participation of the target groups. 3. Need of the programme. 4. Resources available in the village. 2. Need of the organic farming. Working with all sections of the society, in villages, meetings are organized in order to access overall social and economic conditions along with problems being faced in agriculture or social sector. The communities and PAGVS both saw the cost of production in agriculture as a threat to the farmers poor status. In meetings PAGVS discussed about the agriculture, environment, biodiversity conservation and new emerging low cost methodologies. Most of the rural communities being familiar with adverse effects of chemicals use in agro-practices reacted sharply to explore possible options. Here we interacted and discuss status on organic and conventional farming.

2 After series of meetings a day was fixed for a workshop on organic farming by involving the family heads from villages. In the next meeting discussions are made on comparison on organic and conventional agriculture. What is organic farming? Why we should switch over to organic farming?. Advantages of organic farming etc. This led to explore new dimensions in the area. The NGO has used a more systems approach through the Global Environment Facility (GEF) United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Small Grants Program (SGP) to Organic Farming (OF) and the same is shared below through the community experiences by the NGO in the state of Himchal Pradesh (HP) in INDIA. 3. Land preparation for organic farming Selection of land: The selected land area should be little away from the fields where chemical use farming is being practiced done and if it is on the up-side of the hill it has additional benefits. If it is not possible to identify separate field for OF some buffer area is created for practicing organic farming. - Training of Farmers: The farmers are explained acrefully for the Selection of the land and all queries answered effectively. 4. Awareness/motivation and capacity building Awareness and motivational cvamps are organized regularly, atleast one camp in days. On spot demonstration is given for preparing bio-pesticides, liquid manures,and different types of composts (Vermi and biodynamic compost). Gardening calendar is discussed in length in order to know the effect of heavenly forces in agriculture. In later stages farmers are asked to prepare composts, bio-pesticides, liquid

3 manure etc. by themselves in the presence of trained staff of the PAGVS. 5. Package of practices: PAGVS has developed a guide line manual to start organic farming. In the manual elaborate methods have been discussed to prepare composts and bio-pesticides from the inputs which are locally available. 6. Certification: Certification of organic produce is a big challenge in organic farming. At the one hand it is being done by participatory Guarantee System and on the other hand farmers are being registered with Uttranchal State Organic Certifying Agency Dehra-Dun, which is recognized by the Government of India. Presently nearly 900 farmers from SOlan and Sirmour distt. Have been registered by the said agency through PAGVS. Presently their land identified for organic farming is in the transition period. 7. Marketing: The marketing or organic farming should be institutionalized. For the reason Farmer s federation has been formed by nominating farmers from the villages practicing organic farming. In each villages organic produce is collected by SHG and these groups hand over the organic produce to farmers federation which sell it in the market through different channels. After sale cash collected is handed over to SHG which finally distribute it among the farmers. Conclusion: Organic farming is the need of hour. Sustainability is the key to success of any programmes. To look sustainability in organic farming the contacts with farmers should be on regular basis. There should be more emphasis on training in preparation of composts

4 and bio-pesticides in organic farming. Some scientific research regarding development of package of practices for different crops should be done and published in the reputed journal to show the authenticity of vermi composts and bio-pesticides. Certification process should be subsidized for the farmers so that farmers will have to bear minimum burden. Further strengthening of farmer s federation and SHG s will further boost the organic campaign. It is observed that in the hill villages are small and scattered and topography is undulating so a lot of work force is required to ensure the participation of the farmers in the meetings. Means of transportation are fewer hence small meetings are preffered over large gathering. Success story of PAGVS in organic farming:- (1) The PAGVS was actively engaged in implementation of project activities in Solan and Sirmour districts of Himachal Pradesh. Through continuous discussion with farmers it was felt that farmers are fed up with the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides in their field. The organisation takes it as a serious issue and starts working on its alternative. Organic farming comes out as an alternative. The organisation trained the staff in organic farming initially and staff member attended number of workshops and training in organic farming prior to start organic activities in the area.

5 (2) After having trained staff in organic farming the organisation starts preparation of organic inputs for the control of biotic and abiotic stress on its own farm. (3) To extend these activities to farmers field a huge investment was required. To seek funding the organization like UNDP, CAPART, IGSSS etc. were approached. We are very thankful to these organizations that these organizations supported our organic movement and approved projects based on organic farming. (4) The campaign of organic farming was started with 1-2 villages initially which spread rapidly to number of villages through organizing camps and training in organic farming. (5) Formation of farmer s federation and initiation of certification process further strengthen our organic campaign. (6) Survey regarding consumption of organic produce was conducted to make future strategies for the sale of organic produce. (7) The successful execution of project activities brings the attention of large number of surrounding farmers and they also approached the organisation to get resource input in this direction. (8) The organisation was recognized by the state govt as one of the premier organisation in the state for promoting organic farming and a project for the promotion of organic farming was rewarded to our organisation.

6 (9) There are certain problems in the way which still needs to be solved to make our campaign as real success. Farmers are practicing conventional farming for the last so many years and thus they require some additional time to make complete shift to organic farming. He has to find out marketing network and make himself mentally prepared for cultivation of organic produce.

ICCOA Indian Competence Centre for Organic Agriculture

ICCOA Indian Competence Centre for Organic Agriculture The need The story The future Archived at http://orgprints.org/00002766/ Why Organic Agriculture in India? Sustainable management of natural resources