Towards holistic farming

THIS book is unique in that there is no other book in India that deals with this subject in a comprehensive manner either in English or in any of the indigenous languages. The editors have pooled together the knowledge of many experts and practitioners in the field. The book presents a persuasive case for traditional organic farming as a holistic eco-friendly process in contrast to chemical intensive farming that is held as a harmful, toxic process, detrimentally affecting our environment, food and health. It supports this thesis convincingly by presenting case studies of successful organic farmers in India and other advanced countries, highlighting the harmony of these farming processes with the natural cycles.

The book has six parts namely (a) History of Agriculture (b) Bio Ecosystem (c) Natural resources conservation and management (d) Changes needed in the present method of cultivation of crops (e) integrated crop production and (f) integrated plant protection.

Section one deals with the history of agriculture beginning 2000 years ago. It outlines the active involvement of women, and the development of various indigenous tools and the life - giving principles of conservation observed by our ancestors. It then presents the state of Indian agriculture during British rule and moves on to the developments in agriculture after independence, especially during the 1960s. It dwells in some detail on the green revolution and the white revolution and their impact on land, water and air and on our food. It convincingly portrays how these revolutions have perpetrated a lasting environmental degradation through the use of enormous quantities of chemical fertilizers and pesticides.

The second section on bio ecosystems explains the traditional ways of dividing land, according to their location - as coastal areas, hills, mountains, deserts and plains. Natural cycles of water, carbon, nitrogen and energy and their impact on food security are described in simple and clear terms. This chapter explains the basic conceptual frames through which our traditions viewed agriculture.

The third section titled, "Resources Conservation and Management" rightly emphasises the importance of watershed development, soil and water conservation, and the effective management of crop cycle patterns. It explains, at length, how the destruction of forests, the liberal and often needless use of pesticides and fertilizers, and mono-cropping have all affected the natural cycles of water, energy and carbon, leading to greater degradation of the environment. On the topic of crop management, the importance of mixed cropping, tree cropping, animal husbandry and poultry are stressed. The chapter narrates in detail how all these resources can be used efficiently in small holdings so that small and marginal farmers can earn a decent livelihood.

The need to change the prevalent practices of hybridised chemical based cultivation and to bring back the traditional methods of agriculture with new techniques are stated with great conviction in section four. In these chapters, the organic principles to be followed in order to overcome defects in the present method of crop production are clearly spelt out. The experiences of various organic farmers in Tamil Nadu, other states in India, and in other countries are narrated, as in the ideas of "permaculture" advocated by Molison, "natural farming" by Fukuoka and "natueco culture" by Dabholkar.

Integrated farm production methods are enumerated in section five. It clearly spells out that the cycle of production in integrated organic farming is holistic in that each part of the process is interrelated, right from soil and water conservation, to manuring, to crop protection and seed conservation. It points out how using external inputs break the natural cycle, thereby creating dissonances that affect the life cycle of crops, water and soil and eventually our own lives.

The section reveals how various animal and plant waste can be used to prepare fertilizers and compost, rather than use chemical fertilizers and pesticides that destroy the natural cycle of growth. It stresses the importance of using bio fertilizers and outlines in detail the use of earthworms in preparing vermiculture. The chapter further elucidates other agricultural activities in integrated organic farming that help to produce toxic-free food for the people. In the latter part of this section, the authors list out various types of trees according to their uses, pioneer trees, mulching, and use in medicine. Mushroom cultivation and honey bee production and the lessons learnt are portrayed very effectively and authentically.

The last section explains integrated plant protection measures and stresses the need for holistic way of protecting the crops. It shows how plants can be safeguarded from harmful insects in natural ways without using any chemicals. It lists out several decoctions used by farmers to prevent various pests. This part would serve as a handy reference manual for farmers.

It is difficult to write a technical book in Tamil. But the editors have presented the material in a cogent and simple manner that can easily be understood by all. The book covers a wide range of topics in detail and provides a good deal of practical hints for farmers. The vision and mission of the publishers, namely, to broadcast the importance and value of organic farming over hybridised chemical farming, is well realised. The book will be a useful asset to all the farmers and agricultural officers across the state. I strongly feel that the book will be a very useful addition to the libraries of universities, agricultural schools, and Krishi Vigyan Kendras in Tamil Nadu. I would like to congratulate the TVS Educational society for bringing out this valuable book in Tamil for the use of millions of farmers across Tamil Nadu.

R. K. SIVANAPPAN

Integrated Organic Farming, edited by Malini Srinivasan, L. S. Saraswathi, et al., TVS Educational Society, 18, East Avenue, Kesava Perumal Puram, Chennai-600 028, Tel: 044 - 461 2892, p. 440, price not mentioned.

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