The Hindu : Organic farming catches up despite hurdles

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Nov 12, 2002

Southern States

Southern States - Kerala

Organic farming catches up despite hurdles

By Renu Ramnath

KOCHI NOV. 11. Though the concept of organic farming has been catching up in the State for some time, absence of an effective market along with looming chances of corporatisation of this sector is presenting a mixed scenario.

"The concept is still evolving here," says Dayal, a senior organic farmer and organiser of the Muhamma-based Jaiva Karshaka Samithy. Formed in 1992, the Samithy acts as the first organised platform of organic farmers in the State.

The Jaiva Karshaka Samithy, `One Earth, One Life' its mother organisation formed in 1985 and their nature club, the Vembanad Nature Club engage in multifaceted activities, like conducting classes on nature study and organic farming.

The concept of organic farming began to take root in Kerala during the '80s, according to Dayal, who has been working for the past 12 years upon developing a concept of organic farming from about 1.5 acres surrounding his home at Kayippuram near Muhamma in Alappuzha district.

Over the last couple of decades, numerous groups as well as individual farmers have entered the organic farming sector, some out of a momentary ecological zeal and some guided by a greater insight into sustainable farming. Among the serious farmers are P.J. Joseph, the former Education Minister, who conducts farming from his Thodupuzha residence.

Tony Thomas in Palakkad, Lukose Kadalikkattil from Palavayal, Kasaragod, K.R. Parameswaran Namboothirippad at Koothattukulam, P.J. Kurien at Attappadi, A.V. Jose at Thirumaradi, Koothattukulam and Jacob Sebastian in Alappuzha district are among some of the others.

While an increased awareness of `healthy food,' untainted by chemical fertilisers and pesticides is spreading among the middle classes, organic products have begun to elicit a slot in the international market too, with `organic,' becoming the catchword in global food parleys.

However, Tomy Mathew, another activist who runs `Elements,' a distribution centre for organic products at Kozhikode, warns of some pitfalls. "Organic farming is becoming more of a technical exercise, and not a culture," he rues.

Warning of the `NGO-isation of sustainable agriculture,' an increasing trend in Kerala, Tony Mathew points out the activities of many groups organised by the Church and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), especially in Malabar region, as well as that of the Government bodies like Spices Board.

Many of these groups and Government bodies, sporting an `NGO vision,' have the typical NGO approach, and remain unaffected by even the crop failure or success. `"And the connected book keeping and record maintenance are something totally alien to our cultural ethos," points out Mr. Mathew.

Nevertheless, there are some good samples in the region, like Marappan Moola in Pulppally village of Wayanad district, which has successfully engaged in cent per cent organic farming, achieved without the direct intervention of any external NGOs. The initiative came from people themselves. "But, they in fact need a lot of external and moral support, since the enthusiasm can be on the wane after the initial momentum," says Mr. Mathew.

Reproaching the NGOs' and Spices Board's speak regarding the profits, Mr. Mathew points out that still there is no dependable market for organic products here. Regarding the promises about the international market out there, Mr. Mathew says that no proper certification mechanism exists here.

The international market will only accept products certified by any of the certifying organisations like the France-based IFOAM (International Federation of Organic Agencies Movement) or the Netherlands-based SKAL. There are also many Japanese agencies.

But all these organisations have very stringent certifying procedures, apart from the exorbitant fees, unimaginable for the average Indian farmer. For example, a farmer with about five acres will have to shell out somewhat between Rs. 5 to Rs. 6 lakhs just to get certified.

At the same time, corporate forces are also eyeing the organic farming sector. The agricultural scientist, M.S. Swaminathan, is the biggest votary of organic farming, eschewing his own earlier promotion of chemical-intensive agriculture. The M.S. Swaminathan Foundation is now operating a centre from Kalpetta in Wayanad.

While acting as a retail outlet for organic products, Tomy Mathew's `Elements,' also becomes a link between the farmers and the `conscious' consumers. Attempts are on to open Green Counters in the leading supermarkets in main cities, to bring organic products into the mainstream consumption, says Mr. Mathew.

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