RHI Agra Workshop Minutes (13-14 November 2010)

RHI Agra Workshop Minutes
Prepared by Sri Bhim S Rawat, PEACE Institute
13-14 Nov 2010
Introduction:
The adverse impacts of high inputs like fertilizers and pesticides on agro-ecology as well as on human health can not for long remain hidden. Traditional and natural farming methods are again being widely discussed and appreciated as an alternate to rid the environment of the chemical menace. Several countries have now been promoting natural farming in place of high chemical inputs farming practices. It is now slowly gaining ground that the next green revolution shall be predominantly organic in nature.
Dr. Parikh a prominent citizen and Ravi Singh a staunch believer of natural farming have been practicing traditional farming in Agra, the historic city of India.
Point sources of pollution, in Indian rivers are quite visible and broadly discussed, but non-point sources like contamination (of the persistent variety) of river water by chemicals used in farming taking place in the catchment area and on the river banks still largely remain unnoticed and unaddressed.
Report
A two day trip was organized to Agra of the members of the Nadi Mitra Mandalis (NMMs) to sensitize and educate the farmers living along River Yamuna from Katapathar (Dehradun) to Raghupur (Allahabad) on the adverse impacts of agricultural chemicals which contaminate ground water and adversely impact the health of river, human and cattle alike.

Participants from different grids
In the morning hours of 14 Nov under cloudy sky a team of 26 members entered beautifully developed and maintained Dr. Parikh’s farmhouse on the outskirts of Agra. The green diversity and birds chirping pleased and greeted everybody inside the farm house manifesting the uniqueness of the place. After crossing a lane of variety (Popular, Ashoka, Avanla etc.) of trees, team members halted by a cow shelter where Sri Ashok Yadav the manager of the farm house welcomed all. Farmers were surprised to see the native breed of cows, calves and bulls that had been discarded by the farmers in favour of exotic high yielding varieties long ago.
Addressing the gathering at this place Sri Manoj Misra introduced the members to each other and broadly explained the purpose of the visit. He defined organic farming as a complex coexistence of different kinds of lives that enrich agro biodiversity and helps farmers in many ways. Establishing link between growing incidences of life threatening diseases and increased use of chemicals in agriculture he emphasized the value of natural farming practices.
Sri Ravi Singh who has re-settled himself in India after working as an advisor to a vinery production firm in London informed that he has been growing farm produce organically without much difficulties. Sharing his experiences with participants he said that switching over to natural farming will be all gain for everyone.
Leading the gathering to a lawn in the back yard, Sri Ashok Yadav shared the experiments, learning, advantages, he has earned through organic farming which he has been practicing for the past decade. He also cited his story from being an ordinary farmer to be among few organic producers. He has been motivating others and now planning to create a network of organic farmers and to open a shop in Agra to market organically grown vegetables. He stressed that organic farming becomes easier when we have cattle on our farms. He believed and successfully experimented that cow urine can replace chemicals of all sorts for pest control and as a weedicide. Now his yield of vegetables, crops and fruits is not only higher in comparison to those who use chemicals but cost effective and hygienic too.
Sri Ashok Yadav sharing his experiences with the participants
Participants from different Grids also shared about the farming practices being carried out in their own areas. They discussed and shared their experiences with chemicals and organic farming. After the discussion it turned out that
In Pachnada, Raghupur, Hamirpur marginal farmers are still using green farm practices whereas large land holders use fertilizers indiscriminately.
Organic farming is catching farmers’ attention in Ovah and Gadhaya after the contract farmers left from there, once the productivity of the land had been compromised from use of high inputs.
In Amipur, 50% farming is done traditionally whereas in Panipat people find it tough to avoid urea and fertilizers.
Farmers of Kanalsi having borne the brunt of chemical farming, are now returning back to traditional farming, whereas in hilly areas (Katapthar) still 80% farming is chemicals free.
During discussion farmers also revealed some amazing things that
The spray of 1 liter cow urine mixed in 15 liter water will keep the crops free from all diseases.
Stray wild animals also will not invade such farms.
Cows’ milk and urine are far more beneficial than of buffalos’.
It was estimated that on an average chemical and organic manure for one Beegha land will cost farmers around Rs 1100 and Rs 1200 respectively. Interestingly the cost of chemical farming will go up whereas the cost of organic farming will come down by 25 percent in the following years once organic practices have begun.
Organic farming boosts soil health, provides hygienic crops, takes less water, is cost effective, and employment generating in form of labour for deweeding and cattle maintenance.
In the end all agreed that organic farming is a practice that deserves a serious consideration and promotion.