August 2008 Issue Seven (For private circulation)

Low-cost organic certification under PGS Enlivening the soil

commences in India with microorganisms
The pgs Organic India Council has ap- With Deccan Development Society operat- OFAI organized a workshop on “Use of
proved the implementation of the pgs scheme ing in the Medak district of Andhra Pradesh, Beneficial Microbes for Organic Farm-
through ofai, moff, Timbaktu Collective, once represented by Smt. Indira Gandhi in the ing” on 10 and 11 January, 2008, at
dds, iird and Keystone Foundation using Lok Sabha, there are as many as forty “Local the Orissa University of Agriculture &
the code of 8 alpha-numerals for identifica- Groups” with 36 that have completed Technology [OUAT], Siripur Chowk,
tion of the Local Groups from the formalities for registration Bhubaneshwar. The Faculty/Resource
April, 2007. The pgs is recog- under pgs with pgsoic. Each Persons included Manohar Parchure on
nized and promoted as the Local Group has five “Theory of Microbial Production”; Dr K
alternative and scientific members from farm fam- Natarajan on “Panchagavyam” prepara-
method of organic farm ilies. These local groups tion; Mr Jayant Barve on “Amrut Pani”
certification by both, the are spread across the preparation and use; Subhash Sharma
Food and Agriculture villages of Tekur, Sham- on “Crop mix for better organic pro-
Organisation [fao] of the shoddinpur, Raipalli D, duction” and Mr. N. Gopalkrishnan on
United Nations and Inter- Pyalaram Pastapur, Ma- vermicomposting and preparation of
national Federation midipalli, Khasimpur, fish-based microbials. The response of
of Organic Farming Malgi, Kalimela, Indur, the large number of farmers was over-
Movements [ifoam]. It is Jharasangam (V&M), whelming.
supported by the Govern- Mamidpalli, Hulgera,
ment of India through the Humnapur, Hothi, The use of Amrutpani, Panchagavya
National Centre of Or- Edakulapalli, Gunta- and other activated microbial prepara-
ganic Farming or ncof. The recognized farms marpali, Cheelamamidi and Bidakanne in tions to enrich the soil was also the
are permitted to use the pgs organic label and Zaheerabad Jharasangam, Munpalli, Raikode main thrust of the North India Organic
logo for their produce. and Nylakal Mandals [talukas]. Farming Conference held at IGFRI-
Jhansi [UP] on 9 and 10 February, 2008.
In Andhra Pradesh, the growth of Local The dds has motivated the Local Groups to
Groups has been phenomenal in the first six use easy-to-remember names for themselves. On 3 March, 2008, these techniques
months of pgs operation. It gives iisa and Thus, the groups bear such interesting names and technologies for successful organic
ofai a reason to smile along with all the such as Taida, Korra, Manchi nuvvu, Saama, farming were demonstrated at Sevash-
people who want to grow and eat natural Bhoomaata, Basavanna, Erra pundi, Avisha, ram-Angamally in Ernakulam district of
food. A major part of the credit goes to two Gaddi nuvvu, Banti puvvu, Tella kusuma, Pa- Kerala.
organizations in Andhra Pradesh: the Tim- cha jonna, Gareeb jonna, Katte goduma, Siri
baktu Collective and the Deccan Development senaga, Dhoti anchu jonna, Bhudevi, Pyalala On 18 April this year, the Radio Trust,
Society. The Andhra Pradesh farmers show all jonna, Chenaga, Bhootalli, Tella togari, Burka Trichy [TN] hosted a similar workshop
the other states the way forward, naturally. togari, Tella nuvvu, Chenaga puvvu, (…pg 2) in the ongoing series of state-level and
regional workshops to educate farm-
ers on the unutilized or underutilized
wealth that exists on their own farms.

In Hindi, soil is often referred to as

“murda” which is also a term used to
refer to the dead. In reality, the soil is
a living system teeming with micro
organisms that fix nitrogen, convert
ammonia to nitrates or vice-versa,
solubilize phosphates, decompose
biodegradable plant and animal mate-
rial. There are millions of micro organ-
isms in a handful of soil. Hence, organic
farming practitioners truthfully say,
“Murda jinda hai.” The soil is truly alive!

Organic farmers release the Malayalam edition of the PGS scheme in the presence of Miguel
Braganza, OFAI
2

Kusuma puvvu, Erra jonna, Aargulu, Kodi [KL A01 001] of ten member farm families
saama, Penta eruvu, Erra korra, Nalla togari, led by George Anthony. It was started on 02
Bebbari, Baimugu, Gundu jonna, Anumu, October, 2007 with members of the Farm
Jodeddu, Pesari, Sai jonna, Pundi and Sajja. Planning Team of infact as its core. Two of its
Total number of members in the forty groups new members have been trained for farm visits.
is 200. Tamil Nadu
Timbaktu Collective operating from Chen- Led by ofai State Secretariat under
nekothapalli village in Ananatapur District of toft, there are four Local Groups with a total
Andhra Pradesh, has seventeen Local Groups of 38 members registered in Tamil Nadu. The
in the Chennekothapalli, Ramagiri and Rod- group led by Mr. Navaneedha Krishnan at
dam Mandals [talukas] of Anantpur District. Mettupalayam, 641301 [TN A01 001] has the
The name of each of the seventeen “Local maximum number of nineteen farm families.
Groups” is uniformly suffixed with the words Two other groups, at Valayampattu village of
“Sendriya Vyavasaya Sangham”. Their names Tiruvannamalai taluk and Velayudampalayam
are: Kalpataruvu, Dhanyalakshmi, Yellamma, of Karur taluka, have seven farm families each.
Sri Gopalakrishna, Akkammagarla, Sri Du- The smallest Local Group has the manda-
rga, Lakshmi, Dhanalakshmi, Narashimmha tory minimum of five farm families at Kottur
swamy, Dhanavantri, Bhoolakshmi, Seethara- village in Mopollachi taluka. Steps have been
ma, Maruthi, Dhanyalakshmi, Pothalaiah, initiated to register the groups under pgsoic.
Srirama and Chennakesava swamy. Uttar Pradesh
Sri Gopala Krishna Sendriya Vyavasaya Sang- There is just one pgs Local Group of eleven
ham [AP C10 004] led by Smt. Usha and Shri. members named Palhari [UP A01 001] in
Akkulappa in village Shyapuram of Roddam village Palhari of Baberu tehsil [taluka] of
Mandal, Anantapur, since November, 2005, is Banda District, U.P. led by Shri B.L. Patil. these groups has been approved by the
one of the oldest “Local Groups” and has 24 Its members are trained for farm visits and pgs Organic India Council. The Local
farm families that have been trained to con- the formalities for registration under pgsoic Groups will use the pgsoic logo along with
duct farm visits. Chennakesava Swany Sendriya have been initiated. The recently held North their 8-digit alpha numerical code as the
Vyavasaya Sangham [AP C10 017] led by India Organic Farming Conference at Jhansi guarantee that the product is organically
Smt. Ramanamma and Sri. Venkatanarayana has generated great interest in pgs in U.P. and produced, processed and packaged. The pgs
at village Brahmanapalli of Chennekothapalli neighbouring state of Madhya Pradesh. works on peer pressure. If any product with
Mandal is the most recent to be registered the “organic” label is found not conform-
Maharashtra ing to the “Basic Standards”, the whole
under pgs in Andhra Paradesh in 2007. The Maharashtra Organic Farmers’ Federation Local Group will lose the right to use the
Total number of members in the seventeen or moff has 14 groups under the pgs with 5 in label. The temptation to take risks and in-
groups is 431, with each group having 19 to 31 Latur, 3 in Amravati, and 2 each in Akola and dulge in malpractices is highly reduced by
members. Sangli. this participatory process that involves the
Kerala  Thus, there are 77 Local Groups spread over group of farmers.
infact has created the Eco-Friend pgs Group five states. The pgs label for use by some of

Organic Farming
Association of India
Events calendar Biodynamic Farming and
Gardening
By Peter Proctor
Pp. 211 (2008) Rs.250
Programmes held (from January
to May 2008) Scheduled Events
1. Ofai Workshop on Use Of Beneficial 1. Workshops on Organic Farming,
Microbes for Organic Farming 10-11 Janu- Siolim and Margao, Goa, on 23
ary, 2008, Bhubaneshwar and 24 August, 2008
2. Preparatory meet for OFAI Bien-
2. Organic Seeds Mela at Indoor-A.P. 14
nial Convention at Trichy, 15
January, 2008
September, 2008.
3. Nsc Meeting at Pastapur, A.P. 15 Janu-
3. PGSOIC meeting at Aurangabad,
ary, 2008
Maharashtra on 18 September,
4. North India Organic Farming Confer- 2008.
ence [Indo-Gangetic and Himalayan belt ] 4. OFAI Biennial Convention “Or-
Jhansi, U.P. 9-10 February, 2008 ganic Indigenous Seeds”, Trichy
5. Workshop on Use Of Beneficial Mi- [TN] 18 & 19 October, 2008.
In his remarkable new book, based mostly
crobes for Organic Farming, Angamally- 5. Organic Farming for Spice Grow- on his own understanding of biodynamic
Kerala 03 March, 2008 ers (to be scheduled) at Coorg, farming and practice, Peter Proctor lays
6. Workshop on vermicomposting at Karnataka. out the principal principles and features
Trichy, Tamil Nadu, 18 & 19 April, 2008 of biodynamic farming. He has also added
For Reservation/Details Contact:
lengthy portions on his experiences of
7. Demonstration on Panchagavya by Dr. Miguel Braganza/Reshma Pednekar biodyanamic farming in India.
K. Natrajan, Erode, TN, 20 April, 2008. OFAI-CS
myofai@[Link] For those into this method of agriculture
Phone: 0832-2255913 and for all organic farmers in general, here
Mapusa 403507 Goa is a major classic to relish with delight.
 3

Indigenous crop seeds – the way to grow!

Control over seeds is control over crops and, the state of Andhra Pradesh through transfers tive groups upon enquiries from the interested
thereby, control over food, health and prosper- from one village to another. farmers or groups.
ity of a nation. Targeted food aid and seed In Bangalore… Hyderabad…
distribution in the past has converted people “Organic Seed Producers Workshop” was The Deccan Development Society [dds]
from a staple diet of coarse rice and curry into jointly organized by green Foundation, organized a Mobile Biodiversity Exhibition
wheat product consumers. The Public Distri- Bangalore and Organic Farming Association [Seeds Mela] at village Indoor near Hydera-
bution System [pds] has made a generation of India, Goa from 30 - 31st August, 2007 bad on 14 January, 2008, to mark the Makara
– raised on a healthy diet of millets – into at Bangalore with an objective of producing Sakranti and Pongal festivals of India. The dds
addicts of a rice-based diet. In large tracts of organic seeds mainly in food grains, vegetables is a twenty years old grassroots organization
land, efficient rain fed millet production has and exchange of organic seeds among the seed working in about 75 villages with women’s
been abandoned in an attempt to grow rice sanghams (voluntary village level associations)
under similar conditions and has led to rural in Medak District of Andhra Pradesh. The
indebtedness. Huge costs are incurred in In- Learn more about seeds from
5000 women members of the Society repre-
dia, transporting wheat grown in the temper- Annadana sent the poorest of the poor in their village
ate north to the tropical south. This increases Annadana is a seed savers network set communities. A host of continuing dialogues,
the import bill for petroleum for transporta- up in India explicitly to safeguard farm- debates, educational and other activities with
tion, increases greenhouses emissions and ers and gardeners by providing them the people, facilitated by the Society, try to
drains the nation of precious foreign exchange. access to organic open-pollinated vege- translate its vision for self-reliant village com-
It has created a strain on the transportation table seeds and all relevant skills related munities into a reality.
network [roads, rail and ports] and infrastruc- to seed saving and seed keeping.
ture for storage. Consumers have also been The Mobile Biodiversity Exhibition is one
deprived of minerals like calcium and iron and The organisation works with open expression of this desire of the dds mem-
a host of vitamins that were available in the pollinated varieties which breed true ber sanghams to help each other by sharing
millets and are not present in rice or wheat. to type and adapt well to low input knowledge, skills and inputs through a exhibi-
They now need medical attention and phar- farming using organic principles. Ac- tion that moves from village to village.
maceutical products. cording to Annadana, the advantages of Over 1500 women farmers of dds sanghams
open
pollinated seeds are many: Seeds have established village level Community
The ones who control seed production and dis- are ensured for the small scale farmers
tribution, also control the food we grow and Gene Funds in 60 villages and have retrieved
for their next season;
they are adapted over 80 land races of traditional crops, which
eat. The sovereignty over crop seeds is the es- to small scale farming which rely on
sence of food and national sovereignty. There is had been almost obliterated by so-called mod-
crop rotation, crop
diversification and ern agricultural practices. By growing diverse
no other way! Stephen Lendman, in his review systematic varietals mix up of crops
of William Engdahl’s newest book “Seeds of crops on their marginalized lands, this effort
from different genetic make up.
 has not only retrieved a strong agro biodiver-
Destruction: The Hidden Agenda of Genetic
Manipulation”, quotes what Henry Kissinger Become a subscriber and ask for their sity on their farms but has also reestablished
[USA President Richard Nixon’s Secretary of new organic seeds catelogue. women’s control and leadership over their
State during the last days of the Vietnam war community germplasm knowledge.
and Indo-Pakistan war of 1971] said in 1970: Since 1990, they have regenerated over 1000
“Control oil and you control nations; control acres of common land in and around their vil-
food and you control the people.” A product lages by raising neighbourhood forests. In 28
known as “Agent Orange” was used to destroy villages, they have planted over a million trees
the forests in Vietnam, ostensibly to find the on the degraded village commons.
Communist soldiers hiding in them. A genera-
The dds women have also created about 30
tion was raised on food aid from America and
Village Medicinal Commons growing over
the nation made dependent on food imports
60 different species of medicinal plants on
by destroying its capacity to feed itself. The
patches of village common lands. Through
Public Law or, simply, PL-480 gave India food,
this activity, they have regenerated most of
but not seeds to grow crops on its own.
the medicinal plants, which they use in their
Ofai has involved itself in the promotion of traditional healthcare system. This has helped
organically grown seeds of traditional crop va- them to regain control over their own bodies
rieties. It has consciously associated itself with and their lives.
the efforts of other organizations and commu- For more information, contact:
Annadana Soil and Seed Savers In Chhattisgarh…
nities that work to preserve and promote the
Network The jss has built up a collection of local rice
rich biodiversity of crops and their varieties
‘Ishana’ Gopathi farms, varieties like Dhubraja, drk, hmt, etc and
through seed production, exchange, distribu-
Singapura village, PO Vidyaranyapura, used them in the Madagascar method or
tion and use of seeds through community
Bangalore – 560097, Karnataka System of Rice Intensification [sri]. These
effort, including the sharing of knowledge and
traditional rice varieties were exhibited at the
skills associated with these crops. In order to
North India Organic Farming Conference
make this information available to people who
production network partners. Participants held at igfri - Jhansi [UP] on 9 and 10 Febru-
wish to access information on the rich diver-
presented their experience in saving seed of ary, 2008.
sity of crop seeds across India, ofai has tied
up with green Foundation to document and traditional varieties in their respective re- There is a growing interest in traditional crop
catalogue the available crop seeds. It would fa- gions. Green Foundation was entrusted with varieties. Unpolished rice from local varieties
cilitate exchange or transfer from such sources this task of cataloguing the available seeds. has been found to be rich in essential vitamins
of seeds to organic farmers across the nation. The updated information would be put into like A and B complex, besides containing
It also recognizes the yeoman service of ngos printed catalogue which would be circulated significant levels of iron. Millets contain min-
like Deccan Development Society which has among the network members. It will be erals like calcium and iron that are essential
promoted indigenous seed production and informal, non-commercial exchange network for good health. These varieties perform best
made such seeds available to farmers across of organic seeds. Supply of seeds included in under organic farming practices and do not
the catalogue would be ensured by the respec- need high doses of major nutrients.
4

Organic Farming News: India

North India Organic Farming Conference at Jhansi
The “North India Organic Farming Confer- control our lives. Mahesh Sharma of jss The middle portion of the morning urine of
ence” [niofc] was organized by the ofai State talking about the successful  System of Rice a lactating cow is impregnated into tiny pills
Unit of Uttar Pradesh at the Indian Grasslands Intensification [sri] or Madagascar method of and marketed as medicine for coughs and
and Fodder Research Institute [igfri], Jhansi, transplanted rice using native rice varieties like colds under the brand name of ‘Kamadhenu’
UP. The two-day niofc on 09 and 10 Febru- hmt, Dhubraj, drk and Saatti and just 2kg in his farm institute a short distance from the
ary, 2008, was attended by practising organic seed against the traditional broadcasting of 36 igfri on Gwalior road. The anti-oxidants level
farmers and participants from the Ladakh to 70 Kg seed per acre, to Simraj Patel from in cow’s urine is 2.06 as against just 1.06 units
Ecological Development Group [ledg], the Banda-UP sharing his experience with San- in blood plasma. He stated that Panchagavya
Youth Development Society of Sikkim [yo- jivak [10 litres urine + 2kg dung +200 g Gur reduced the “transition” period from con-
dess], Jan Swasthya Sahyog [jss] of Chhat- fermented in a mud pot for 15 days] as the ventional to organic farming to just over six
tisgarh, Beej Bachao Andolan [bba] of Ut- soil activator to Stanzing Namgyal of Ladakh months instead of three to seven years. 
tarakhand, Deen dayal Research Saunstha of sharing about the combination of human and
Adv. Manohar Parchure, stated that SOIL is
Chitrakoot, Shikshantar of Rajasthan; Ahimsa Yak dung to raise barley and wheat, made the
the abbreviation of ‘Source Of Infinite Life’.
Foundation, baif Development Research session interesting. 
“Why do we need to apply urea when le-
Foundation and Maharashtra Organic Farmers
Surbir Singh, a microbiology graduate who gumes and rhizobium can combine to enrich
Federation [moff ] besides doctoral students of
went back to farming in Bijnor district the soil with nitrates?” he asked. Just like the
Jawarharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwa Vidhyalaya
reminded the delegates that, Thomas Alva Edi- two drops of vaccine prevents polio, 2 gram
[jnkvv] of Jabalpur.
son’s electric bulb did not fascinate his con- of rhizobium in a 150g coal base is enough to
Dr. P.V. Jagalmohan, ias, Divisional Commis- temporaries as they believed that wax candles supply the nitrogen requirement of a crop. He
sioner of Jhansi State inaugurated the Confer- were better. The same attends organic farming emphasized the need for mixed cropping and
ence and promised his administration’s sup- amongst those who believe that “conventional” said that monoculture is only important for
port whenever needed to promote sustainable farming is better. Monoculture kills the soil by mechanized farming and harvesting. Technolo-
livelihoods as they are of common interest. exploiting the same nutrients from the same gy is like a film actress, he said. Once it is old,
layer of soil. A judicious crop mix containing it is replaced. Organic farming, on the other
The Co-Convenors of niofc, Dr. Bhartendu
nitrogen-fixing legumes actually enriches the hand, is an evolving process that is perpetual. 
Prakash of ofai-up and Dr. N. Das of igfri-
soil.
Jhansi; ofai National Steering Committee On the second day, Dr. O.P. Srivastava
members Mr. Jayant Barve and Adv. Manohar Jayant Vaman Barve, a pesticide dealer who ex-Dean of bhu Soil Science spoke on Soil
Parchure and octogenarian Mr. Parag Patel turned into an organic farmer, grows grapes fertility while Shri Jayant Barve and Miguel
shared the dais with the Divisional Commis- and finds  that the yield increases every year Braganza of ofai spoke on pgs and market-
sioner at the inaugural function. Dr. S. G. with organic manure while it progressively de- ing with Organic Label. This was followed by
Kaushal, ex-Director of Agriculture of MP creases after the initial increase using inorganic group discussions on drought, flood, snow-
state and a member of the Standing Commit- fertilizers. The organic grapes, sold with the bound regions and the finding of each group
tee on Organic Farming; Mr. Laxminarayan message “Organic grapes. Ready to eat, No were presented in the afternoon session after
Naik, ex-MP, ex-MLA as well as a Freedom need to wash” on the package, are a runaway a field visit to igfri farm and the National
Fighter; and Mr. G.L. Raikwar, Deputy Direc- success. Organic fruits and vegetables are now Research Centre for Agro Forestry. 
tor of Agriculture in Datia [MP] were some of being targeted for sale to families of it profes-
In the concluding session, Dr. S. G. Kaushal,
the prominent members in the audience.  sionals with the slogan “If you earn well, you
ex-Director of Agriculture of MP state and
deserve to live well with healthy food.” Jayant
The first Technical  Session was chaired a member of the Standing Committee on
Barve emphasized that there is no need to ex-
by Dr. Tripati. In the Chairman’s opening Organic Farming presented, with supporting
port organic food. We need to look after our
remarks, the reason why Organic Farming is statistics, the reason why Green Revolution
own and our nation’s health first! 
needed to restore the micronutrient levels and failed to produced sustainable yields and why
improve soil fertility and productivity after the Mr. Shyam Behari Gupta is a promoter of Organic Farming is the need of the hour to
sever depletion due to over-exploitation during gomuthra or the elixir of life, cattle urine. redeem the situation.  
the last 40 years of the Green Revolution era
[1967-2006] was clearly enunciated. The loss
of indigenous varieties of crops due to the in-
fatuation with the fertilizer- and irrigation- re-
sponsive hybrids was also brought into focus.
Dr. S.B. Maiti in his presentation entitled
“Why Organic Farming?” spelt out the stan-
dards of mrl [Maximum Residue Limits] for
pesticides, antibiotics and hormones in meat
and milk in the context of the feed and medi-
cation used. He also made a strong case for the
promotion of Gir and Shahiwal breeds of cattle
that have evolved in Indian conditions along
with the Murrah buffalo. Cows also yield an av-
erage of 6.4 kg dung per day while the Murrah
buffalo yields up to 12 kg dung per day.
The organic farmers took control of the
seminar in the post-lunch period and shared
their experiences in organic farming as a better
alternative to “synthetic fertilizers, synthetic
pesticides and synthetic medicines” that now An interactive session among organic farmers at the Jhansi conference.
 5

Organic Farming News: India

OFAI Workshop on Use Of Beneficial 15th January, 2008, at Pastapur, Hyderabad, This was followed by a spirited ‘Question &
Microbes for Organic Farming A.P., were various items of interest to farm- Answer’ session to clarify doubts and obtain
Dates: 10-11 January, 2008, Bhubaneshwar ers in India. The venue and programme for additional information.
the Annual Convention of organic farmers on
A workshop was held at the Orissa Univer- OFAI-RADIO National Seminar-cum-
October 17th and 18th, 2008 with the theme
sity of Agriculture & Technology [ouat],
“Organic Seeds” was finalized as Trichy, Tamil
Workshop on ‘Vermi culture and
Siripur Chowk, Bhubaneshwar on 10 and
Nadu. Responsibilities for making the annual Fish-based Microbial formulations for
11th January, 2008, in association with Na- Organic Farming’
convention a success were voluntarily accepted
tional Research Centre for Grasslands [icar]. 18 & 19 April, 2008, Tiruchipally, Tamil Nadu
by the nsc members. A detailed report of
It was inaugurated of the workshop by Prof.
Central Secretariat activities including train- A Two-day National Workshop was organized
Radhamohan (Sambhav), Chief Information
ing workshops scheduled and report of past at Tiruchirapally town and adjoining farm-
Commissioner and Organic Farming Pioneer
workshops was presented and discussed at the ing villages in Tamil Nadu on 18 and 19 April,
in Orissa.
meeting. Latest information on membership 2008. The programme was coordinated by Mr.
Manohar Parchure’s talk on “Theory of Micro- was also shared  N. Gopalkrishnan of the Rural Agricultural
bial Production” started the technical session Development Integrative Organisation [radio]
Status reports on ols-tps system and on pgs
followed by Dr. Claude Alvares’ presentation on behalf of ofai. Delegates from all over
system for organic farms were presented. The
on “The Living Soil” After lunch S. Krishnan Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra
green logo of ols will now be used for organi-
showed organic farming videos while Dr. attended.
cally grown farm products. The Organic Seed
K. Natarajan demonstrated Panchagavyam
catalogue is a natural sequel to the “Organic The programme consisted of presentations
preparation thereafter. Subhash Sharma spoke
Seed Producers Workshop” which was jointly by experts, field vists, laboratory visits, actual
on “Crop mix for better organic production”.
organized by green Foundation, Bangalore method demonstrations and result demonstra-
More Organic Farming Videos were shown
and Organic Farming Association of India, tions in the farmers’ fields. The preparation
after dinner.
On 11th January 2008, S.R. Sundaraman dem-
onstrated the preparation of microbials while
N. Gopalkrishnan gave a lecture-demonstra-
tion on earthworms and microbes. After lunch
and videos on organic farming, Dr Jayant
Barve spoke on Amrut Pani and other organic
inputs and Dr Bharatendu Prakash shared his
reflections on Organic Farming. The “Lo-
cal organizer” was Debjeet Sarangi of Living
Farms, Tankapani Road, Bhubaneswar, Orissa
Email: ofaiorissa@[Link]

OFAI: Growing organically across

India.
15 January, 2008, NSC Meeting, Hyderabad
A little over a year has passed since the 8th
nsc Meeting held at Wardha, Sewagram-
Gujarat on 5th November 2006 under the
OFAI Faculty N. Gopalkrishnan conducts a course in microbials at Trichy
chairmanship of Mr. D.D. Bharamagoudra,
President of the ofai, and the addition of new Goa, from 30 - 31st August, 2007 at Fireflies, and use of vermi compost in masonary tanks,
members from Tamil Nadu to the Steering Bangalore, with an objective of producing covered structures and in coconut plantations
Committee. Organic farmer membership of organic seeds mainly in food grains, vegetables under open conditions was seen during field
ofai, which was about 600 then is now well and exchange of organic seeds among the seed visits. Fertigation by traditional injection system
over 4000 [with 1200 farmers joining from production network partners. and a simple, modified system by pumping into
TN alone] and ofai is now the largest farmer- the inlet of the sand filter in drip system was
based association of organic farmers in the OFAI-INFACT Workshop on ‘Beneficial demonstrated. Fertigation in open channel ir-
country. There are 700 organic farmers in 63 Microbes for Organic Farming’ rigation and simple metering by calibrating the
groups spread over 4 states under the pgs. In 03 March, 2008, Angamally-Ernakulam, Kerala shunt routed via a tank containing microbial
addition to this, if we consider the member- A well attended workshop was held at the solution were operationally demonstrated.
ship of other organizations who have also Sevashram in Angamally, Ernakulam district, Dr. Sultan Ahmed Ismail and Mr. N. Go-
become ofai members, the number of organic Kerala on 03 March, 2008. It was inaugurated palkrishnan presented on vermi composting
farmers linked to ofai is enormous. by Fr. K. Mampilly, President of Sevashram, theory and practices. It was emphasized that
The Central Secretariat has been working now a farmers’ collective. Rony Joseph, President chemicals have not helped us reach a situa-
for more than two years and it has Reshma Sal- of infact and ofai State Steering Commit- tion wherein famines became history and did
gaonkar as its permanent employee. Gautham tee member, welcomed the delegates from all not recur in this world. The time is ripe for
Sarang, Rejitha and Binoy Thomas have moved over Kerala. Miguel Braganza explained the “Global Worming” if energy guzzling fertil-
while Vishnu Otawnekar, Miguel Braganza structure and the role of ofai in promoting izer use was to be reduced to control “Global
and Gracy have joined to assist the Dr. Claude Organic Farming as well as the “Participatory Warming”. The right time to spray microbial
Alvares, Director. Three more issues of the ofai Guarantee System” [pgs] for ‘organic’ labeling formulations was early morning or late in the
newsletter, The Living Field, have been pub- of agricultural produce. evening when the stomata are open.
lished and this is the seventh in the series. Four Jayant Barve made a presentation on “Theory Microbial formulation containing leaf extracts
issues of the Hindi edition, Shasya Shyamala, of Microbial Production” while Dr. K Na- of plants not eaten by goats can serve as an
have also seen the light of day. tarajan demonstrated Panchagavya. In the insect repellant and anti-feedant. The goat is a
On the agenda for the 9th Meeting of the afternoon session, N. Gopalkrishnan gave a good judge of what is good to eat. According
National Steering Committee of ofai held on lecture-demonstration on earthworms as also to Dr. Sultan Ismail, the Government need
fish and egg based microbial formulations. (…pg 8)
6

Back to nature: A change of mind, body and soul: Interview with Jayant Barve
farming. We started producing vermicompost

J ayant Vaman Barve is a post graduate in Physics from Bombay University. He for sale to other farmers. 
was a researcher in Physical Chemistry at the prestigious National Chemical Alvares: From where did you get the raw materi-
Laboratory [ncl] and a lecturer in a degree college, who went back to his na- als to produce so much vermicopost?
tive town to be with his parents as he was the only son. From manufacturing Pa- Barve: The raw material or organic biomass
ra-Nitro Aniline, a chemical dye intermediate, to selling chemical fertilizers and was not available with us on the farm in the
required quantities. We approached the Vita
pesticides to becoming an organic farmer producing and marketing both, organic Municipal Council [vmc] and started buy-
inputs like manure and food products like grapes and cereals, Jayant Barve has ing vegetable market wastes continuously for
come a long way. He is now an ardent apostle of organic farming and his mission three years for our farm’s vermiculture project.
is to convert the whole of India to organic farming through the Organic Farming We would convert it into vermicompost. We
Association of India [ofai] and its associates in every state. ofai Director Claude would even bury dead dogs and dead birds
in the compost. We got very good results
Alvares spoke to this soft-spoken man with a mission. Excerpts.
with vermicompost. Our grapes were best in
quality. At that time we were exporting grapes
Claude Alvares: You have been doing organic sprayed any hazardous chemicals to deal with from our particular group – the Vita village
farming for 20 years. Could you tell us something the problem of crows, then these chemicals farmers group – and it continued till 1994.
about your background? would be ingested along with the grapes by the
But at that time it struck me that organic
Jayant Barve: I am the only son of my parents. consumers. What would be the impact of this?
farming with vermiculture had its own limita-
After completing studies up to M. Sc. in Phys- This was my turning point to organic farming.
tions. What I read at that time was if you sup-
ics, I worked at the National Chemical Labo- Alvares: Did you also grow crops organically on ply organic carbon to the soil, then the worms
ratory [ncl], Pune, doing research in Physical your farm then? will grow automatically. So you need not do
Chemistry. Later, while I was a lecturer in Barve: Till then I was not looking after our composting or build a shed, putting water
physics in a reputed college in Pune for five family owned farm. I decided that I should do on it for surface variety of worms, but only
years, my father asked me to come back to farming myself and do only organic farming. give organic carbon to the soil. The soil will
my native place to look after our property as So I met several people and started reading improve automatically and the microbes will
I was the only son.  There was no choice but develop. So with that concept I began think-
to go back to the village. With some research ing that vermiculture is not the only solution.
of my own, we started a unit for manufactur-
We thought of some concentrated organic
ing textile dye intermediates. The name of
material and minerals. We collected a number
the product that we were manufacturing was
of these materials – like oil cakes, phosphates
Para Nitro Aniline [pna]. This was manufac-
and silicon oxide, bentonite and rock dust.  At
tured by a different process. We brought this
that time I read in some literature that in fact
product into the market and the small factory
composting is not recommended in any of
that we established was doing well up to the
the ancient agricultural systems. Some of this
Orwellian year, 1984.
literature came from Dr. Rahudkar from Pune
A crisis developed in 1984: the new policy and Mr. Ashok Joshi, son of Mr. Mahadev
of the Indian government made the price of Shastri Joshi who has translated ancient agri-
the same product we manufactured cheaper cultural literature series and published these. 
when imported. So we had to unfortunately In ancient times, nobody was doing compost-
close down the factory. I was rendered with- ing work. At that time they would collect the
out any enterprise to sustain the family so I dung, keep it in some shelter, powder it and
started with the business of marketing chemi- sprinkle on the farm. That gave better results
cals, pesticides and fertilizers. We had a small because it was not composted and it provided
laboratory in our office. We used it to test raw food to the soil, and the soil microbes. 
farmers’ samples and give suggestions to them
This concept stuck in my mind and I thought
as to what chemical is to be sprayed for which Jayant Barve: former physicist turned or-
of giving raw food to the soil. We have to
insect pest or disease.  In this way our business ganic farmer. His lab is now the soil give organic carbon. If we compost it in some
started growing up very well. In Sangli district
pit, then all the degradation will happen in
of Maharashtra state, we have a good reputa- on organic farming. I met Dr. Bhawalkar and
that pit. Microbes in the soil will not get
tion because we were the only consultants in Dr. Jambekar in Pune and with their help we
food.  So we thought of putting direct organic
1984-1988 who gave proper pesticide for the planted a grape plot of about one acre [4,000
microbes in the soil. So we mixed all organic
particular disease after identifying the prob- sq. m.].  We thought that we should not use
carbon materials together and we obtained
lem. Products of nocil were marketed by us chemical fertilizer. So we started with vermic-
good results. Again all lab work we had to do
then. So the business was growing very nicely. ulture. Our mind was set with laboratory and
continuously two years. 
Alvares: So you were dealing with “conventional” science behind it. We analyzed the soil before
planting of grapes and also after another six By this time my son, Jaydev, completed his
farming then. How did you turn to organic
months planting. We observed how nutrient [Link]. in microbiology. We started a unit for
farming?
and organic carbon levels of soil were increas- making organic manure at our place and that
Barve: One day I was sitting in our shop and ing and so also the potash content.  It was a unit is coming up very nicely. We have a prod-
one farmer approached me and asked for a pleasant surprise. After a year of experimen- uct called “Sanvardhan”. We are marketing it
pesticide to repel the crows that were com- tation and analysis, we came to the conclu- all over India, but mainly in Maharashtra, and
ing for the grapes in his vineyard. He told me sion that this is the way by which we should also exporting it to some extent. We also have
that when the grapes are at a ripening stage, produce grapes or adopt any farming system. another product called “Green Harvest”. We
the crows were pecking and damaging the Vermiculture became our input system for are marketing this in our two districts only.
fruit bunches. I then asked him when he was This manure is now formulated to replace the
going to harvest the grapes and was shocked chemical fertilizers totally. 
to hear that he would be packing them during
the next week. I thought to myself that if he
 7

The second aspect was that the soil was cause we have a manure production unit. They selling cows now. I do not take my buffaloes
improving but we wanted to get rid of the pes- are all from organic or natural sources. to the market but the purchaser comes to me
ticides. In 1992, I closed down the business of Today, the grape farmers need to invest about to fix the price. Everybody says that my cattle
chemicals and pesticides with an formal “clos- Rs.24000-25000 per year for pesticides alone are healthier than what they buy elsewhere. 
ing function”. I invited many people and I in one acre area at the present market rates. Albert Howard has mentioned in his Agricul-
closed down the marketing business.  I started The fertilizer expenditure comes to about tural Testament that the organic farmer is to
reading the ancient books on agricultural Rs.15000-20000. So they have to spend nearly be tested by the health of his farm cattle and
practices. At that time I met Dr. Nene from Rs. 55,000 - 60,000 for the inputs today. the health of the plant. Even my labour stay-
icrisat. I purchased a book called Suraphala’s, ing on the farm has no problem. I give them
Vruksha Ayurveda. One Prof. Raudkar had But I am also looking after a farm of my
friend cultivating organic grapes and there our only homeopathic medicine. They are also
written something on the herbal preparations.  healthy. They are not required to spray poison-
I read the book, Return to the Good Earth, a expenditure is around Rs. 8000-9000 per year
on organic manure and around Rs. 3000 to ous chemicals. The water is good now. Every-
Malaysian publication and from that I started thing has changed over the last 15 years.
preparing some herbal preparation of our own. 4000 for herbal preparation. His expenditure
By 1995, with the use of these herbal formula- is around Rs. 14, 000 per year, whereas a con- Alvares: The only problem we are finding is
tions, our grapes were absolutely chemical-free. ventional farmer has an expenditure of around about the other farmers. They see that you are
We were able to access a separate market with Rs. 55,000 per year on manures and pesticides. saving money. They see that your production is
these synthetic ‘chemical free’ grapes.  Only the thing is, when he is cultivating also increasing and they see you do not have to
organic grapes, he has to be very alert if the purchase chemicals and fertilizers, that you do
There was no certification of these grapes as weather changes. not have to spray. They see it and they know
‘organic’. I would market it in my name and that. In every village everybody knows what ev-
earn good income out of it. This continued up Alvares: You are one of those who have come
from the other side to the organic side.  Do you erybody else is doing. Is there still a mental block
to 2000. From 2000-2003 there was a drought to adopting organic farming? What is the reason? 
condition in our region and we were not able think you will ever cross over to the other side
to manage the grape plantation. So, reluctant- and use chemicals again? Barve: The mental block is in two ways. Be-
ly, I had to cut down the grape vines. In 2003, Barve: No, not at all, because our minds have fore independence we were almost slaves and
a small dam has been built near my farm. been totally changed. Even when we go out, our minds are set like that. Whenever villagers
I lost around 10 acres of land for the dam while eating outside food we think whether it want to consult for something, they go to an
but the rest of the 25 acres became irrigated will be poisonous, what pesticides are sprayed allopathic medical doctor or the shopkeeper. 
land. All the organic literature that I read, the on it. Having knowledge of pesticides busi- They will not consult a nearby man. The
preparations that we made and all the knowl- ness for 4 years, we know almost everything farmers in my area are coming to my farm,
edge we had gathered by growing crops in that about pesticides. We can give consultancy about they are seeing that the things are going on
farm, now enabled us to do organic farming pesticides to any farmer even now but that we in a particular way, but they are not ready to
more consistently because of assured water do not do because our minds have been totally accept what is good because they cannot un-
supply.  changed. Even if somebody gives us free a derstand things even though we start teaching
truckload of urea or chemicals or pesticides, we them. Their minds are set that way.
Now, we are produce many crops, right from
cereals, pulses to fruit crops. We have a plan- will not allow him to enter the farm because Alvares: What has been the success rate thus far?
tation of 900 mango plants. The grafting of now we are enjoying fruits of Organic farming. Barve: Through promotion, canvassing and
mango plants has been done in situ on root- Alvares: What is the message you would give seminars, we have been trying for the last 15
stocks raised from seed. There are chickoo, to those who say we cannot grow enough food years but still we are not able to get that much
amla and other plants on the farm.  When I through organic farming?  success. I have been working in that area for
started farming in 1988, in that land of 40 acres the past 15 years and have travelled a lot at my
Barve: That is not the case. Yield levels in
there were hardly 20-25 trees.  Today, in my own expense and have been going to farmers
organic farming and chemical farming are
farm there are 5000 trees of 54 varieties. This and telling them. But I have seen that I am
the same. In fact, after 2-3 years the yield
huge biodiversity I have maintained since 2003. not able to convert two farmers per year to
starts increasing through organic farming, e.g.
We grow a number of crops like sugarcane, sugarcane yield per acre is nearly 50-55 tons organic farming. Hardly one farmer per year
ginger and turmeric. In turmeric we have a per acre under both systems in our region. So is my success after meeting 1000 farmers in a
black variety which has medicinal value. We the yield is fixed. In wheat and jowar the yield year.
also grow sorghum [jowar] and wheat along may vary because of climatic conditions but in ncof has got a scheme for training 1500 farm-
with beans, red gram, horse gram, etc. This sugarcane it does not vary much. So our yield ers. They have given the scheme to my orga-
year we are in a contract with a company to is almost the same as the chemical farmer. Be- nization also and we contacted 1500 farmers.
supply them typical vegetables that they want sides, in contrast to chemical farming, our soil We went to them in their villages in the night
for export purpose. So this year we are grow- is improving every year and the water require- because farmers are free only at that time
ing brinjals, tomatoes, onions and garlic, chili, ment is coming down, input cost is reduced. and had 3-5 meetings with them.  But where
etc. through the organic way. ever we go, their minds are set. They ask us
Wheat in my vicinity requires 8-9 irrigations
So now my farm is self sufficient. We are not per acre by flood irrigation under the conven- whether we are going to give them some sub-
dependent on external inputs as all manure tional method. On our farm we are required sidies. Secondly, only the ladies in the villages
and herbal pesticide preparations are made by to give five irrigations for wheat. Thus we are are attending these programmes.  The men are
us. The soil is not very good, but that is no saving 4 irrigations. Hence, we are saving a not coming for the meetings.  Whenever we
longer a constraint for productivity. lot of water, electricity and labour needed to talk to the ladies about the hazardous pesti-
irrigate a field. So the yields are not chang- cides, the effect on our health and the effect
Alvares: Earlier you would send money out of the of the poisoned food, the ladies pay attention
farm for purchase of chemicals. What is it that ing. We have no tension of buying pesticides,
spraying them and, also, no worry that the and they think of doing something about it
you are doing which results in money going out but there are no results as yet to see. Perhaps,
of the farm today? person spraying the crop might fall sick.
all this will change soon.
Barve: Today, only final product is going out of Alvares: Is there any other positive effect on farm
our farm. No money is going out except for la- labour and farm animals because of organic
bour wages and a few other items. It is not that farming? Become a member of the largest associa-
we are not buying anything. We purchase elec- Barve: I have observed on my farm that my tion of organic farmers in the world and get
tricity and concentrates like oil cakes, rock dust, cattle are in very good health. They feed on a free subscription to the Living Field or to
rock phosphate and wood ash, if required. Such organic fodder and feed from our farm. I sell Shashya Shyamala.
things have to be brought from the market be- 1 or 2 buffaloes and am going into business of
8

(pg 5…)
not subsidize the low cost organic farming Organic Farming
systems. It will be enough if it stops subsidiz-
ing chemical fertilizers and pesticides. The Association of India [ofai] presents
delegates also visited a bio-control laboratory its second Biennial Organic Farmers’ Convention
where Trichogramma wasps are multiplied to and, the maiden
control insect pests.

OFAI National Workshop on

PanchagavyaKodumudi, Erode, Tamil
Nadu 20 April, 2008 All India
A one-day National Workshop was organized
at Kodumudi town on the banks of the river
Organic Seeds Exposition & Exchange
Cauvery in Tamil Nadu on 20 April, 2008. TMSSS Grounds, Near Bus stand and Railway Station On 18 and 19 October, 2008
The programme was coordinated by Dr. K. Tiruchirapally (Trichy) From 10 A.M. to 8 p.m.
Natrajan on behalf of ofai. Over 700 del- Tamil Nadu
egates from all over Tamil Nadu, Andhra
Pradesh and Maharashtra attended the seminar In association with
which was inaugurated by Ms. Jagadeesan,
OFAI-State Secretariats
Honourable Minister of State for Social Wel-
fare, Govt. of India.
Tamilnadu Organic Farmers’ Trust [toft], Nagapattinum-T.N. revathima@[Link] ; 09443343336
Dr. G. Nammalwar, Mr. N. Gopalkrishnan,
Dr. K Natrajan, Ms. [Link], Mr. Miguel Information for Action [infact], Kottayam-Kerala ktm_infact@[Link] ; 09447285525
Braganza and others spoke on Organic Farm-
ing, ofai and pgs organic labeling programmes. Deccan Development Society [dds], Hyderabad-A.P. Hyd1_ddshyd@[Link] ; 09440266012
Ms. Revathi spoke on the new Seed Ordinance
and the minister informed that she would Maharashtra Organic Farmers’ Federation [moff ], Pune- M.S. moffpune@[Link] ; 020-5659090;
9881497092
discuss the issue in the Council of Ministers.
The programme consisted of presentations by Sahajiv Krishi Vidyapeet [vsk], Banda-U.P. vsk_73@[Link] ; 09452508251
experts and actual method demonstrations and
result demonstrations. The preparation and use ICRA, Bengalooru-Karnataka icra@[Link]; 080-25283370
of panchagavya in non-corrosive tanks under
open conditions. demonstrated. Kheti Virasat Mission, Jaitu, Faridkot, Punjab 01635-503415; 9872682161
Seminar-cum-Workshop on ‘Agro-
Jatan, Gujarat jatantrust@[Link]; 0265-2371429
techniques for Organic Food Produc-
tion.’ Living Farms, Orissa 0674-2430176; 9938582616
27 & 28 February, 2008, ICAR-Goa Complex ,
Ela - Old Goa.
in collaboration with
A two day seminar cum workshop on ‘Agro-
techniques for Organic Food Production’ was Rural Agriculture Development Integrative Organisation [radio] Trust, Trichy.
held at the Krishi Vigyan Kendra of icar at
Karmali, near Old Goa. About thirty farmers, Annadana, India
representatives of Self-Help Groups and exten-
sion officers attended. The ifoam standards for Green Foundation, Bengalooru-Karnataka
certifying a product as ‘Organic’, the modali-
ties of certification under different systems And the Organic Farmers of India
and the costs involved, and other aspects were To whose dedicated and selfless work we owe the rich biodiversity and the organic farming prac-
presented by the Resource persons and then tices we boast of today.
discussed by the participants.
A demonstration was done of the operation of Participation in the Annual Convention will be by registration in advance. All registra-
tractor mounted, pto-driven shredder for farm tion will close by 10 October, 2008. This is a convention for members of the Organic
waste, including woody material like coconut Farming Association of India, so members of the association will get priority in regis-
leaves and husk. Neem based pesticides and tration and in booking of stalls available at the venue. Please quote your permanent
processed organic products were on display at membership number. Register through your secretariat or through central secretariat.
the venue. Book your tickets to arrive in the morning of 18th and depart on 19th evening, unless
you are participating in visits to organic farms in and around Trichy. You can also take
New revised and time out to visit famous temples and other tourism related interests, but please inform
updated edition! the organisers in advance so that accommodation is maintained for you, if possible.

Panchagavya For details and updates, write to us at the address below or visit us at [Link]. Or write to
By Dr. K. Natarajan myofai@[Link] or call 0832-2255913.
At the venue, call 09443343336 [Ms. Revathi] or 09443148224 [Mr. Gopalkrishnan]

Editorial information about The Living Field

The Living Field also comes out in Hindi for the Northern Hindi-speaking belt. Editor of the Hindi
edition is well-known environmental activist and scientific researcher, Dr Bharatendu Prakash.
Those who wish to receive a copy of the Hindi edition in place of the English edition are requested
The Organic Farming Association is delighted to get in touch with either Dr Prakash or OFAI, Goa. The Living Field is published by:
to publish this landmark book that has trans- Central Secretariat,
formed organic farming all over the country. OFAI, G-8 St Britto’s Apartments, Feira Alta, Mapusa 403507 Goa, India
Pp. 58 (2008) Rs.30 Editor: Claude Alvares