Date:17/08/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/08/17/stories/2007081755381000.htm

Karnataka

Farmers evolve a new method

A combination of organic and natural farming has worked for this group

A GROUP of young farmers from Maranahalli of Dudda hobli in Mandya district has come out with a new method of agriculture to minimise the use of fertilisers.

Called “Nisarga” (nature), the method, a combination of organic and natural farming, is put to use in fields to preserve soil fertility and increasing crop yield.

As long as organic or natural farming is practised, soil fertility will remain intact which will increase the crop yield every year and make the farmers prosperous, they argue. Although there is a debate on the choice between natural farming and organic farming, these farmers from the tiny village have encouraged their fellow farmers to cultivate crops incorporating organic and natural farming in a balanced manner to make agriculture profitable.

The field test of the combination of organic and natural farming at Maranahalli has worked well for these farmers. Commercial crops such as sugarcane, vegetables and cereals can be cultivated putting to use the best of organic and natural farming, based on the model of Maranahalli farmers.

About 35 farmers of Maranahalli have formed an association to popularise chemical-free farming. M.C. Chandrashekar, a farmer who has switched over to this method, has cultivated sugarcane combining organic and natural farming. From sugarcane grown in his field, he is producing jaggery and marketing it successfully.

Although he maintains that he had not incurred losses from the method, he argues that a well-established and separate market for agriculture produce grown from organic or natural farming or both was most essential to revolutionise chemical-free farming in the region.

“I will not say whether organic farming has given profit to me at this stage, but it will not cause loss. Importantly, expenditure on agriculture will decrease if the combination is put to use. Making the best use of organic and natural farming, I have grown 25 tonnes of sugarcane, with the increase in crop yield and quality,” he says.

If more farmers have to switch over to organic or natural farming or both, the Government must establish a suitable market for the produce and encourage them with subsidies.

The members of Nisarga attend workshops conducted on natural and organic farming. They even organise exhibition and sale of produce grown in their fields.

SHANKAR BENNUR IN MYSORE