D. Radhakrishnan
Udhagamandalam: Spurred by the growing awareness among various sections of the society here about the benefits of organic farming, the Ketti-based non-governmental organisation, The EARTH Trust organised a one-day training programme on ‘Organic Biodynamic Farming’ for beginners here on Saturday. The focus was on preparing biodynamic compost.
Speaking to ‘The Hindu’, International Consultant, Biodynamic Agriculture, Peter Proctor said that India headed the list of countries where biodynamic farming was rapidly gaining ground. Attributing it to the growing tendency among the agriculturists to revive traditional methods of farming, he pointed out that organic farming was about 6,000 years old in the country. Use of chemical inputs became popular only after the green revolution in the mid-1960s.
Lamenting that two generations of farmers had been enslaved by chemicals, he contended that though it may have made them financially successful they cannot consider themselves to be skillful. Organic methods will tone up the skills of the farmers. Another reason for the perceptible desire to switch to biodynamic farming was the reverential outlook of the farmers towards cows and cowdung.
Biodynamic farming will also help reduce concern on the health front. Initially the cost of production may be higher than conventional farming.
However with time it would become cost-effective. Pointing out that in one year 5,000 biodynamic compost units had been established in Maharashtra, he said that many have come into being in Tamil Nadu also.
The Founder-Director, The EARTH Trust, Vanya Orr, said that considering the growing threats worldwide on the environment front survival would in course of time depend only on organic farming. The soil needs intensive care, she added.
The vice-president, Nilgiri Wildlife and Environment Association (NWLEA), Geetha Srinivasan, said that all must join hands to make the Nilgiris the first organic district in the country. Listing the benefits, she said that it would relieve pressure on the municipal dump yard at Theetukal as biodynamic farming would help convert waste into wealth. A trainee Ashok Mittal said “it is high time we learnt lessons from mistakes committed in the past.” The EARTH Trust coordinator, P. Anbu, said that gardeners, farmers, housewives and students participated in the programme.