PROJECT
Proposal
|
1.
Title |
|
Research
Institute on Organic Farming, Uas,
Bangalore |
|
2.
Main Centres |
|
UAS,
Bangalore UAS, Dharwad |
|
3.
Centres |
|
Sub
Centres ZARS,
VC Farm, Mandya ZARS,
Navile, Shimoga ZARS,
Brahmavar – Coastal & Hilly areas ZARS,
Mudigere ZARS,
Babbur Farm, Hiriyur ARS,
Kathalagere, Chintamani, Balajigapade, Tiptur, Naganahalli, Madenur,
Ponnampet & Arasikere RARS, Raichur ARS, Bhimarayanagudi RARS, Bijapur ARS, Arabhavi, Bagalakot,
Devihosur, Gadag, Gulbarga, Sirsi, Hagari, Hanumanamatti |
|
4. Jurisdiction |
|
Karnataka State |
|
5. Institutes involved |
|
UAS, Bangalore & UAS, Dharwad |
|
6. Collaborative Institutes |
|
KSDA, KSDH, Agro-processing industries,
KVAFSU, CADA & other Research Institutes |
|
7.
Duration of project implementation |
|
For
Five years at Research |
PREAMBLE
Organic agriculture is practiced in India since, the dawn of
agriculture. It was anlistic approach for livestock production as well as crop
production. Agricultural development phased through gathering and hunting,
shifting cultivation and settled agriculture. Shifting cultivation was in
voged mainly to sustain the agricultural production by moving to new places in
search of soil fertility. Then came the settled agriculture when the people
not only exhausted the soil fertility but also claimed for rights and on the
ownership of the lands. Gradually lands would over exploited because of
population pressure associated with ever growing demand for food.
Modern agriculture demands high input use such as, chemical fertilizer,
pesticides and fossil fuel. Further mechanical or electrical energy
substituted the manpower to a great extent in many agricultural operations.
Vertical growth in agriculture achieved during green revolution has come to a
stand still. Often productivity is going down causing alarming situations to
the agricultural scientists. Food
security was achieved through various types of revolutions in agriculture such
as green revolution, white revolution, yellow revolution, blue revolution etc.
Nevertheless, most of the dry land areas (100 m ha) have become unsustainable
for production and thus dry land farmers are unable to earn their livelihood.
India’s population is estimated to reach 1409 millions by 2030 and
1572 million by 2050. Corresponding
increase in food grain production to meet the food demand of growing
population is 220 and 240 m tons respectively.
India’s green revolution in 1970’s was resultant of introduction of
crops and their varieties, evolution of new photo-in- sensitive varieties /
hybrids, use of fertilizers / pesticides, increased irrigated area and
improved cultivation. India
achieved self-sufficiency by producing about 210 m tons of food grain in 2005.
Post
green revolution scenario
Agricultural
scenario after green revolution is dismal and coupled with many problems. Fast expansion
in cultivated area, reduction in the use of organic manures and continuous
cropping with only fertilizers have all created hungry and thirsty soils.
Ø
Soil
health deteriorated due to long term use of only fertilizers without
application of organic manures. This resulted in excess removal of nutrients
and deficiency of many elements in soil there by reducing the soil
productivity; many physical
properties, CEC and bio-diversity have been affected badly.
Ø
Incidence
of pests and diseases of crops have increased.
Ø
Imbalances
in agro-ecosystems and environment like destruction of flora and fauna,
nutrient pollution of ground / surface waters (nitrate pollution
eutrophication), pesticide residues in air and food.
Ø
Health
hazards are caused by pesticide residues present in human milk, foods, chicken
and vegetables.
Ø
Stagnation
in the productivity of major cereals (wheat, rice), minor cereals and other
crops (pulses and oilseeds) is being observed.
Relevance
of organic farming
Sustainable
agriculture is receiving lot of attention world over by the farmers,
administrators, policy makers and scientists.
Mainly four factors necessitates sustainability in agriculture are –
fast degradation of natural resources like soil and water, escalated cost of
production, deterioration in the quality of food, environmental pollution
leading to health hazards. Sustainability
in agriculture is expressed and studied in terms of crop yields, soil
fertility, net returns and ecosystem. Sustainability
of present level of agricultural production is at stake.
The role of organic farming has great linkage with sustainability,
since it encompasses improvement in soil fertility and productivity, brings
down the cost of production, eliminates residual toxicity of chemicals and
pesticides in soils, water, food and environment there by maintains
eco-balance. Besides, it helps in
efficient recycling of organic wastes and supplies quality produce.
It promotes use of renewable sources of energy like bio-fertilizers,
solar energy etc. resulting in reduction of import cost of naphtha
fertilizers, chemicals.
Justification
for Research Institute on Organic Farming
Ø
Renewal
of Indian traditional agriculture with emphasis on scientific practices is
essential for integrated and efficient management of natural resources.
In this direction, isolated attempts have been made in India and
elsewhere to develop several schools of organic farming to suit soil, water
and local biodiversity. Some of
them are already being practiced / employed by some farmers in Karnataka.
However, lack of sound scientific foundation is coming in the way of
propagation of these farming methods. There
is a great need for scientific validation of these practicing methods,
besides, evolving new methods suitable to different agro-climatic zones and
socio-economic condition of the farmers.
Ø
At this
juncture, it is apt to recall the quote from the report submitted by the Royal
Commission on Agriculture way back in 1925. “However efficient the organization which is built up for
agricultural demonstration and extension unless that organization is based on
the solid foundations provided by research, it is merely a house built on
sand.
Ø
A
Research Institute on Organic Farming is essential not only for updating and
validation or evolving various organic practices but also to provide impetus
for the promotion of organic farming in Karnataka.
Ø
Research
Institute is essential for providing interventions, support and solutions to
problems which may arise from time to time for effective implementation of the
Karnataka State Policy on organic farming.
Ø
Promotion
of organic farming is a part of Karnataka State Policy on organic farming.
This institute helps in furthering the efforts of the State.
Ø
Location
specific, demand driven and farmers centric research needs to be taken up by
the institute.
Ø
Lack of
exclusive centre to deal with research development, training and extension in
organic research.
Ø
Exclusive
facilities to address the problems of organic farming (of rainfed and drylands)
research separately in a well conceived technical programme are needed at
state level.
Ø
Comprehensive,
continuing state wide training facilities are needed to improve the scientific
awareness about organic farming among stake holders like farmers, extension
workers, administration, policy makers and other workers.
Ø
Research
and development on community based approaches for diverse fields of organic
farming like use of organic manures, composting, vermi-composting, oil cakes,
green manuring and cowdung etc. to strengthen the ongoing programmes of
organic farming.
Ø
An
exclusive state level research organization is needed for resource planning,
organic farming related information network to formulate policies for
featuristic development activities in the state.
Ø
State of
the art research facilities for research on organic farming methods are needed
to bring out new technologies regarding their effectiveness as well as to
popularize them by training and large scale demonstrations.
Ø
A
research segment is needed to address various technical, agricultural, legal
and legislative issues related to organic farming.
Ø
Adoptive
research strengthened by basic research is needed to manage soils in the
state.
Objectives
1.
Scientific validation of organic farming practices
and local wisdom.
2.
To develop various production technologies of
producing FYM, compost, enriched compost etc.
3.
To diversify cropping systems based on resource base
of the farms.
4.
To develop and promote suitable integrated farming
systems for semiarid, drylands, rainfed lands, irrigated lands, hilly and
coastal areas of the State.
5.
To develop and promote suitable bio-fertilizers and
bio-pesticides for organic farming.
6.
To identify suitable integrated farming systems for
different agro-climatic zones and promoting them.
7.
To identify/develop alternate land use systems for
degraded resource bases.
8.
To provide value addition and market linkages for
organic products.
9.
To provide quality assessment and sustainable
indicators for organic farming.
10.
To promote capacity building to organic farming
stakeholders.
Thrust areas
1.
Documentation, scientific validation and adoption of suitable organic
farming practices
2.
Developing organic production practices for crops cropping systems /
livestock and others
3.
Providing quality standards for the assessment of organic farms, inputs
and products etc.,
4.
Efficient utilization of all natural resources in building, sustainable
organic farms for the benefit of fragile farmers.
5.
Developing market linkages for products & promotion of exports.
6. Providing inter-institutional linkages for organic farming.
MODE
OF PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION
An integrated organic production
technology will be developed
in a farming system which facilitates to combine different enterprises which
can complement and supplement each other to achieve reproduction, production,
protection and conservation functions in a sustainable way.
Development and evaluation of varieties / hybrids under production
system will be studied. The indigenous traditional knowledge will be amalgamated with
innovative organic production practices to enhance the productivity.
Identification of efficient strains, mass production and application
methodologies will be developed for various bio-agents for management of pest
and diseases. Modifying the agro-ecosystems by creating crop diversity,
encouraging activities of natural enemies, soil micro-biota crop production
and modifying the micro climate for pest and disease management.
The proposal envisages tackling various researchable issues in the
organic production, protection, processing, value addition, economics and
marketing of organically grown products.
The location specific integrated approach will be adopted.
The farmers participatory organic production systems will be developed.
The integrated organic farming system modules will be developed to suit
different holdings.
In the process, the codex alimentaries and NSOP guidelines will be
fallowed for development of organic package.
The export markets for organic products and quality requirement will be
assessed. The appropriate
processing and value addition practices will be developed. The human resource development activities viz., creating
awareness and capacity building will be undertaken to participatory
scientists, collaborators, promoters, processing and market organizations.
The organic package developed by ICAR, Net work projects including
Dharwad centre. An integrated
organic production technology will be developed in a farming system
facilitates to combine different enterprises which can compliment and
supplement each other to achieve reproduction, production, protection and
conservation function in a sustainable way.
Development and evaluation of varieties / hybrids under production
system will be studied. The
indigenous traditional knowledge will be amalgamated with innovative organic
production practices to enhance the productivity. Identification of efficient
strains, mass production and application methodologies will be developed for
various bio-agents for management of pest and diseases.
Modifying the agro-ecosystems by creating crop diversity, encouraging
activities of natural enemies, soil micro biota crop production and modifying
the micro climate for pest and disease management.
The
new techniques developed for value addition and processing of rice, chilli,
pulses, oilseeds, grapes, pomegranate, fig, coffee, pepper, etc., by different
co-operating institutes will be popularized among the farmers.
Market intelligence will be used for exploiting the domestic and export
market.
Technical
Program
|
Sl.
No. |
Demonstration |
Location/Jurisdiction |
|
1.
|
Establishment
of on-farm participatory organic production blocks |
10
Agro-climatic zones with different agro-eco situations
|
|
2.
|
Characterization
of resource base and production dynamics (soil health, farm
productivity, eco-dynamics and socio-economic assessment) |
For
all centers of on-station demand driven / applied research besides
blocks of on-farm participatory research-cum-demonstration |
|
3.
|
On-station
participatory research and demonstrations |
All
Centers of on-station and blocks of demonstrations |
|
4.
|
Certification
of farms, inputs outputs & training |
On-station
and on-farm blocks |
|
5.
|
Processing
value addition and developing market linkages |
Selected
centres initially & scaled up later |
|
6.
|
Multi-disciplinary
applied research on organic farming (a)
strengthening
of research quality control laboratory (b)
strengthening
production units of bio-pesticides, bio-fertilizers and other units |
Main
centre and selected centres |
MAIN
RESEARCHABLE ISSUES
The
centre for organic farming is being established at Shimoga for promotion of
solely organic farming and related systems mainly to promote sustainability in
agriculture. Organic farming, of
late is being addressed through several schools of thought.
1)
Scientific
validation of various systems of organic farming like, Natural,
bio-dynamic, permaculture, homa, Subhash-Palekar’s method of natural farming
and Low External Input Sustainable Agriculture (LEISA).
Most of the elements of these schools of thought are found in differ
rent traditional Indian Agricultural Systems.
All the farming methods are espouse herein hold the following general
principles to be incontrovertible:
Ø
These
farming techniques are best which are based on an intimate understanding of
nature’s ways.
Ø
Encourage
sustainable land use and not the mining of soil nutrients and its degradation.
Ø
Consider
soil as a living system and maintains its health.
Gosh (1988) observed that India is largely a country where organic
farming has remained a continuing tradition.
Organic
Agriculture is
a farming system devoid of chemical inputs, in which the biological potential
of the soil and underground water resources are conserved and protected from
the natural and human induced degradation or depletion by adopting suitable
cropping models including agro forestry and methods of organic replenishment;
besides natural and biological means are used for pest and disease management
by which the soil life and beneficial interaction are stimulated and
sustained. The system achieves self regulation and stability as well as
capacity to produce agricultural outputs at levels which are profitable and
enduring over time and, at the same time, consistent with the carrying
capacity of the managed agro-ecosystem. Principal
elements of organic farming are:- maintaining a living soil, making available
all essential nutrients and
organic mulching.
Importance
of Organic Farming
Ø
Improves soil fertility increases land
productivity attains sustainability of agriculture in the long run.
Ø
Eliminates the chemicals causing soil
pollution – eco-friendly agriculture.
Ø
Increases demand for production of organic
manure and reduces the demand for fertilizers.
Ø
Quality products promote export growth
vis-a-vis earns more foreign exchange.
Ø
Brings down import bill on fertilizers /
chemical / naptha etc.,
Ø
Recycling of organic wastes – reduces the
pollution.
Ø
Better human health
Natural
farming is a simple notion really, it embraces the philosophy of, "do as
little as possible." Masanobu
Fukuoka
practices a system of farming which he refers to as "natural
farming." Although some of his practices are specific to Japan, the
governing philosophy of his method has successfully been applied around the
world. In India,
natural farming is often referred to as "Rishi Krishi".
His method is based on four major basic principles “No cultivation, No fertilizer,
No weeding and No
pesticides"
The essence of Fukuoka's method is to reproduce natural
conditions as closely as possible. There is no plowing, as the seed germinates
quite happily on the surface if the right conditions are provided. There is
also considerable emphasis on maintaining diversity.
A ground cover of white clover grows under the grain plants to provide nitrogen.
Weeds (and Daikons) are
also considered part of the ecosystem, periodically cut and allowed to lie on the surface
so the nutrients they contain are returned to the soil. Ducks are let into the
grain plot, and specific insectivorous carp into the rice
paddy at certain times of the year to eat slugs and other pests.
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The ground is always covered. As well as the clover and
weeds, there is the straw
from the previous crop, which is used as mulch, and each grain crop
is sown before the previous one is harvested. This is done by broadcasting
the seed among the standing crop. Also he re-introduced the ancient technique
of seed
balls (Tsuchi Dango {Earth Dumpling}). The seed for next
season's crop is mixed with clay, compost,
and manure
then formed into small balls. Much less seed is used than in conventional
growing, resulting in fewer but larger and stronger plants.
Biodynamic Farming was founded by Rudolf Steiner (1924).
The world ‘biodynamic’ is derived from two Greek words bios (life)
and dynamics (energy). Biodynamic
agriculture was the name given by the first group of farmers who put
Steiner’s method of agriculture to field use as well as practical test.
Biodynamic preparations are humus like cultures made from plant
material, cow dung and cow urine. These
preparations are numbered from 500 to 508 and are stuffed with the
preparations and buried in the soil. Later on, they are used for crop
production. Steiner gave the
number five for agriculture, hence the number.
Biodynamic preparations also have a ruling planet and specific
activity. Biodynamic preparations
in general increase soil microbial activity, attract cosmic influence and
promote earthworm count. These preparations are applied in homeopathic doses.
Components
and working of biodynamic agriculture;
1.
Biodynamic preparations
2.
Biodynamic planting calendar
3.
Biodynamic compost and
liquid manure
4.
Biodynamic animal husbandry and bee keeping
Permaculture (Permanent agriculture) is
an effort to integrate a variety of disciplines to help us create sustainable
methods for living on the planet. The word 'permaculture' is a combination of
the words 'permanent' and 'agriculture' or 'permanent' and 'culture.' It was
developed by Australian Bill Mollison as a constructive response to the
ecological and energy crises that became globally apparent in the early 1970s.
It
is the conscious design and maintenance of agriculturally productive
ecosystems which have the diversity, stability and resilience of natural
ecosystems. It is the harmonious integration of landscapes and people
providing their food, energy, shelter and other material and non material
needs in sustainable way.
Subhash Palekar’s method of natural
farming : This
method has already been practiced by many farmers in the state of Maharashtra,
Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu etc.
In Karnataka, a few farmers from Bidar, Gadag, Mysore, Chitradurga and
other districts are following this method of cultivation.
He also calls his method of cultivation as zero budget natural farming
consisting of four chakras which he refers as ratha chakras.
They are as follows.
Bijamrita
(Seed treatment: - Beej Sanskar), Jiwamrita (Microbial culture),
Achchadana (Mulching) and Waaphasa (Soil aeration)
In
the preparation of Bijamrita and Jiwamrita, deshi cows urine and
dung are the major components, apart from using a local soil from the surface
boundary of the farm (serves as a inoculants for native micro organisms).
Agnihotra
– Homa Farming : Agnihotra is a scientific process of purification of the atmosphere
with the agency of cosmic element - FIRE. It is ordained by Vedas, the ancient
most treasure of scientific knowledge belonging to the entire humanity. Agnihotra
creates pure nutritional and medicinal atmosphere and prevents growth of
pathogenic bacteria. The subtle vibrations emanating from agnihotra
fill the surrounding atmosphere with
vibrations of
love, peace and purity. Agnihotra is an
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|
excellent method of practicing natural and ecological farming. Its purifying effect makes plants happy, healthy and disease-resistant. Animal life too is benefited in its vicinity. Regular performance of agnihotra helps rebalance the disturbed ecological cycles. Agnihotra purifies the water reservoirs. It has also been experienced that the agnihotra-ash is extremely medicinal and can be used as nutrition to plants.
2.
Developing
Integrated Farming Systems (IFS) to achieve farming sustainability.
Components of IFS –
annual crops (rice, ragi, maize, sorghum, cotton, tobacco, groundnut and other
oilseeds, pulses, chilli, turmeric, ginger, vegetables etc.)
Perennial crops
(arecanut, coconut, mango, sapota, jamun, jack, guava, fig, vanilla,
pomegranate, minor fruits, pepper and other spices)
Agroforestry species (neem,
pongamia, silver oak, casurina, acacia etc.) Perennial
fodder, glasses and legumes.
Livestock – local breeds of
cow, bullocks and buffaloe, sheep and goats, poultry, gullies/pigeon,
aquaculture piggery, sericulture, apiculture, rabbit rearing, mushroom
cultivation etc.
Different
Integrated Farming Systems (IFS) for
a)
Rice-based Cropping System :
Rice-Rice or Rice-Upland Crops with fish culture and poultry, mushroom
cultivation.
b)
Dryland-based System :
Ragi + redgram, tobacco, chilli, cotton, groundnut, sesamum maize etc.
(rotations and intercropping) + topfeed trees/fodder crops + dairy and/or
goats + pigeons, poultry etc
c) IFS
Bavikere model :
This was
developed by UAS, Bangalore, at Bavikere suitable for small and marginal
farmers. Further, it can also be modified for other situations.
d)
Alternate
land use systems + allied enterprises
–
Agri-horti
systems, horti-pasture, silvi-pasture or agro-forestry + livestock +
apiculture. Eg.
Mango+stylo/legumes + topfeed trees + sheep/cows, + Apiculture.
Fruit trees + pulses/groundnut/green manure crops + topfeed trees +
dairy
e)
Coconut and/or arecanut-based systems
Eg.
Coconut-cum-fodder-cum-milch cattle-cum-poultry/turkey.
Coconut-cum-fish
culture for salt affected soils.
Arecanut
+ pepper + pureria legume.
f)
Garden lands–multitier cropping consisting of main & associated
crops
Eg.
Coconut+pepper+cocoa+pineapple.
Eg.
Arecanut + pepper + legume/cardamom – other spices and minor fruit plants
would be tried in IFS.
g)
IFS
for hilly and coastal areas :
Includes plantations/fruit trees in combination with perennial legumes
for fodder + dairy/sheep/piggery/poultry. Besides, some of the spices, minor
fruit plants, medicinal and aromatic plants could be tried in IFS.
Adoption of water harvesting structures, ground water recharging
facilities, gobar gas production and composting methods would be optional.
Suitable methods of irrigation/liquid manure use etc. shall be incorporated in
IFS.
IFS at Naganahalli
3.
Establishment/development
of suitable methods of composting solid and liquid waste of the farm.
Further, research on in situ
decomposition, co-composting and enrichment is also essential.
4.
Strengthening of units for the production of bio-fertilizers,
bio-pesticides, bio-agents : Besides,
conducting research on developing new formulations and their utilization.
1.
Documentation of existing organic farming systems and local organic
practices and wisdom. Besides,
an inventory of farm assets and liabilities is necessary
Ø
Soils
of
different plots (type, texture, biodiversity, structures, WHC, porosity,
infiltration, organic matter, soil fertility, salinity and toxic residues).
Ø
Biotic
factors (crop diversity and history, weed flora, pests, non-pest insects,
beneficial, livestock).
Ø
Physical
infrastructure (farm
equipments, housing, sowing, irrigation, harvesting and processing
potentials).
Ø
Other
resources (crop
wastes, animal wastes, forest litter, green manure, manures, silt).
2.
Strengthening of Analytical Laboratory
equipped with latest State of the art (HPLC, GC, ELSD, UV spectrophotometer,
IR Spectrophotometer, Bioassays etc.). Also
undertakes analytical methods – Validation.
Ø
To
assess the quality of soil, water and food samples under different systems of
farming.
Ø
To
assess nutrient composition, heavy metals content etc.,
Ø
To
monitor the pesticide residue level in organic inputs (organic manures), soil,
water and food samples grown under different systems of farming.
Ø
To
assess the factors responsible for better quality of organically grown
produce.
Ø
To
monitor the soil health and environmental quality under different systems of
farming.
3.
Development of various indicators for assessment of sustainability -
Ø
Soil
quality as an indicator of sustainability (soil quality index (SQI) (Andrews et
al., 2002).
Ø
Sustainable
yield index.
Ø
Sustainable
value index / Economic sustainability index.
Ø
Existing
bio-diversity on the farm.
4.
To develop standards for certification of organic products to compete
in export market. Inspection
and certification are essential in five areas.
Ø
Crop
Production – Standards for inputs and produce are to be evolved.
Ø
Livestock
– Origin and manures are to be analysed.
Ø
Storage
and transportation – Specific storage and transportation conditions need to
be developed.
Ø
Processing
and packing – Materials need to be identified for packing organically grown
products.
5.
Capacity building and publicity needs further strengthening
Ø
Development
of trainings modules
Ø
Staff
- TOT
- Farmers
Ø
Development
of reading materials.
Ø
Trainings
– Farmers, Line Departments Staff (State, District & Taluk), TOT for
progressive farmers & NGO’s.
Ø
Exposure
visits - Within and outside state / country.
Ø
Conducting
exhibitions / Krishimelas / Seminars / Workshops etc.,
Ø
Brining
out technical literature for popularization.
PROPOSED
HUMAN RESOURCES
|
Sl.No. |
Cadre |
No. |
Discipline |
|
A. |
Technical
Staff |
|
|
|
1.
|
Project
Coordinators |
2 |
Agronomy
|
|
2.
|
Scientists
|
10 |
Horticulture
/ Agronomy / Entomology / |
|
3.
|
Research
Associates / Grad. Assts. |
30 |
|
|
4.
|
Lab
/ Field Assistants |
27 |
|
|
5.
|
Account-cum-Computer
Assts. |
10 |
|
|
6.
|
Drivers
|
9 |
|
|
7.
|
Messengers
/ Watch Men |
10 |
|
|
8.
|
Honorarium
to Collaborative Scientists |
20 |
|