Karnataka

Organic farming will help save soil fertility: Rajyotsava award winner

Papamma

KOLAR: A farmer, Papamma (60), who comes from a remote village in Kolar district, has now become a household name in the State by bagging this year’s Rajyotsava Award.

A farm labour initially, Papamma is now a successful agriculturist.

Relentless efforts in the field of organic farming for the last one decade have brought laurels and recognition to Papamma, who till recently did not know how to write her name.

The award for her achievement in organic farming has brought her tiny village D. Kurubarahalli in Mulbagal taluk to the limelight. With stress being laid on natural farming again, the award is expected to popularise organic farming methods to ensure fertility of soil and also help reap more yield without depending on fertilizers and pesticides.

The three acres of land owned by Papamma’s family has been the centre of activities as far as organic farming is concerned for the last more than a decade.

The family never turned to fertilizers and pesticides during this time, and is still reaping a rich harvest due to natural farming methods it has adopted.

The family has not purchased vegetables from shops or vendors for the last about 20 years. It has achieved such self-reliance.

“Small landholdings are not a hindrance for cultivating more crops and earning more profit,” is the message that Papamma’s family means to send. “Where there is a will, there is a way,” says an enthusiastic Papamma. “We should protect the fertility of soil which alone ensures big returns,” she says.

Her husband Papanna and the daughter of Papamma’s elder sister Nirmala have helped Papamma in adopting the system in a systematic and sustained manner.

Her four daughters and a son, Ramachandra, who is an auto driver in Bangalore, too have encouraged Papamma in her endeavour.

When there is good spell of rain, Papamma cultivates 20 various crops, including groundnut, ragi, jowar, custard apple, in her field.

Papamma’s seed bank is one of the major features of her organic farming system. Her passion to preserve seeds for the next season has converted her house into a “seed bank”.

Traditional earthen pots serve as the main containers for storing seeds while neem and vayu vilanga are applied to protect them.

Rare hasrakadli ragi, tellarasa, bennemudde ragi, purple red beans, brinjal, velvet beans, pumpkin are some of the crops whose seeds are safely stored in Papamma’s house.

Papamma has not lagged behind in popularising organic farming. She took part in a 24-day jatha in Chintamani, Bangarpet, Mulbagal and Kolar taluks some time ago.

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