When organic farming inspired science

Organic farming may sometimes be seen as an exact science for SAAL's agripreneurs. Depending on many factors like the soil and seeds quality, pest control, water management, our food system will be insure. The complementarity of both disciplines was clear enough to experiment a new kind of model farm linked to the rural science department of the Arul Andar College campus located at Karumathur in Madurai. For a year, the model farm became a research station for farmers, professors, and students curious to implement new skills on their field.

                                             (Border cropping in #organic farming)

Under the guidance of SAAL,the students started to monitor each step of cultivation. “We collected soil samples from the field for soil testing, these samples are sent to lab to ascertain nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels —as well as the pH level of the soil and possibly the organic-matter levels, by this test we can ascertain the condition of the soil health.”explains Mr John, the model farm in charge. Due to uncounted years of conventional farming, the soil may not be fertile enough. Hence, usage of natural mulching, compost, bio-inputs and crop rotation are necessary to replenish the land.

                                                (Solar light trap in #organic farming)

However, nature needs time to cure from chemicals, between 90 to 120 days are necessary to be restored with traditional methods as Panchakavya, a bio-inputs made from  fish amino acid and egg amino acids “The model farm does not practice mono cropping, instead we follow mixed farming & rotational to retain the soil health. We used border crops to control the pests, and we also make indigenous bio-pesticides, which exclusively made from some specific plants; other than this we use solar light traps to capture the harmful insects in the field. We use yellow card trap, as these methods do not disturb the biodiversity in the field.” pursued Mr Johns.

                                                          (Bio-inputs in #organic farming)

From the model farm and the good maintenance from the college's students, farmers were able to witness how organic farming can help them: “The college campus has lot of trees, we used to dump these shred leaves in a pitch and create compost or for mulching purposes; by these ways we cut the farming overheads. Other than this we make bio-inputs ourselves from the animal waste available from the campus poultry. This will replenish and enhance the soil and plant growth, with retaining optimum nutritive values.” said Mr Palanichamy, agripreneur. After one year of practice, the project had left an indelible mark of new hope to the farmers and students who implemented organic farming.  


By Audrey Durgiarajan