OFAI secretariat of Himachal Pradesh organized a 3 day organic farming school in the Kinnaur District at Tailangi village near Rekong Peo from 9th of June to 11th of June 2011 with a visit to meet growers of the neighboring Sangla valley. The meeting was attending by about 40 growers of the region. The school was held with farmers of Reckong Peo, Kalpa and member of OFAI met grower from the Sangla valley as well.
District Kinnaur of Himachal Pradesh is a high elevation region with average height above 2000m above sea level. About 30% if the district is a high altitude cold desert with little or no vegetation. Average rainfall is low as compared to the state average and is usually around 800mm. The only source of water in the region is the pure flows of glacier melts with which this region is blessed. The forbearing peak of Kinnar Kailash 6050 m above sea level cools the entire region and provides for all the needs of water. Crop growing season runs from June to October in a year. Main cash crop is apple and dry fruits such as almonds, pine nuts, walnuts,wild apricots (Chulli). In addition people grow local varieties of buckwheat, barley, vegetables for local consumption.
Day 1 –
About 40 growers attended this 3 day session which was presided by Vikram Rawat and Ashish Gupta of OFAI Secretariat from Himachal Pradesh and Delhi. In addition two scientist of Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK of Dr. YS Parmar University of Horticulture) Dr. Bhupesh Gupta (Plant Pathology specialist) Dr. Rakesh Sharma (Soil Scientist) presented at the meeting. Rather than this being a lecture session, it was an interactive session with farmers leading the discussion and explanations offered by OFAI members and scientists. The session started with the discussion about the idea of Jaivik Farming and how the structure of the market works. There was a common misconception that Jaivik Farming is done only for a better price in the market. It was discussed that the idea of profit could also be understood in terms of input cost reduction and hence increase in net profit this was accepted as a valid explanation by the growers.
Next the farmers needed information on how marketing is done for Jaivik produce. The PGS mechanism was explained. Firstly, how third party system works and the costs and expenses associated with it. Then It was explained how PGS work in the level of a community as well how transparent peer review could be used effectively to counter issues of non-compliance. In addition it was also explained how direct customer marketing could be achieved by linking with green shops across the country such that customers interested in buying organic food are made available at affordable prices. This was followed by a lunch session.
After the lunch session the farmers wanted to get some information on the idea of Genetically Modified foods. It was explained how genetically modified food may risk human health far more than any war or famine since the technology is not yet validated for food safety. A movie , “Poison on the platter” was played to drive home the point. After the movie session the growers were taken to a nearby orchard to have a live demonstration of the Biodynamic Cow Pat Pit compost method on how good quality compost can be made with cow dung at each farm and how this compost could help in improving humus in the soil and help in increasing water capacity. In addition biodynamic methods would increase helpful microbial activity in the soil as well as improve the vigour and health of the plants. This concluded the meeting on day 1.
Day 2 –
Day began with explanation on how Panchgavya can be formulated on each farm. The growers listened with intent and were happy to know that something which is easily available at each farm could be made as an effective decoction for use as a pest repellant and plant growth promoter. In addition the farmers were also explained the formulation of Sanjivak, which was an easy and effective alternative in case products of panchgavya were not available.
The session was followed by a lecture by Dr. Rakesh on how to effectively make and use vermicompost and how it can be used to effectively increase soil organic content manifold. He advised the farmers that if they use raw cow dung applied directly to the fields they might as well not use it at all. Cheap and local methods on making vermicompost heaps were discussed such as how could the heap be kept moist by using local pine needles as a covering over the heap. As well as that a suitable height for the heap is kept to no more than 1.5ft to allow good decomposition. It was also discussed that the current government subsidy in making pucca cemented vermicompost was a complete failure and farmers should not wait for any subsidy before beginning the composting unit.
In addition it was found that a type of Artemisia (locally Byur) a local weed which grows in high altitudes could be used as an effective pest repelling agent such as fleas. Methods to make a solution and filter it were discussed. It was also discovered that as per local people Artemisia had anti fungal properties and was also used to treat fungal infections in humans. OFAI members got some of the weed back at their farm to test extraction of the plant as well as discover its anti fungal properties.
After this the farmers needed information on how apples and other cash crops could be grown effectively. To this end Vikram Rawat of OFAI explained on how cultural practices such as mulching and vermicompost usage could effectively increase apple tree health. In addition, application of panchgavya could help in pest-repelling as well as provide vigor to the tree. This was followed with a discussion on apple specific techniques such as proper pruning practices, growing types such as central leader, spindle and vertical axis. A presentation on the same was shown to the growers. It was expected that growing trees in this manner could increase the per hectare yield manifold.
The day was followed by a visit to a nearby government owned orchard to see the condition of the trees and how terracing, mulching, pruning and other cultural practices could help in easy eradication of many of the problems faced by the growers of the region.
Day 3 –
OFAI members travelled to the lush Sangla Valley to meet growers and study model of sustainable agro-tourism. The members met with 32 farmers lead by Sh. VidyaKaran Negi of Sustainable Himalayan Development Movement who was a well known grower of the region as well as nodal person for promotion of farm home stays and Organic Farming. The farmers of Sangla valley grow herbs, flowers in addition to apples and other staples. Local varieties of wild buckwheat and barley are also grown. The area being beautiful as it was is also prone to frequent cloud bursts leading to heavy land sliding remnants of which were present throughout the valley. The shepherds of the valley leave for the fall months to graze their herds and also bring back with them some forest produce such as edible ferns, wild garlic and mushrooms. As it is that synthetic inputs are used sparingly by the farming community of the region however it was the endeavor of the group to completely avoid using the pesticides altogether.
The trip ended with meeting some specific growers of Himachal who had practiced Organic Farming with Third party certification but had not abandoned the movement since they could not sustain the yields and their orchards became susceptible to pests. Member of OFAI understood the problem to the likelihood of sudden movement towards organic farming from chemical farming. The growers were yet positive only if an effective marketing supply chain exists and were open to exploring the idea of revisiting Jaivik farming in case the environment is conducive for it.
Day began with explanation on how Panchgavya can be formulated on each farm. The growers listened with intent and were happy to know that something which is easily available at each farm could be made as an effective decoction for use as a pest repellant and plant growth promoter. In addition the farmers were also explained the formulation of Sanjivak, which was an easy and effective alternative in case products of panchgavya were not available.
The session was followed by a lecture by Dr. Rakesh on how to effectively make and use vermicompost and how it can be used to effectively increase soil organic content manifold. He advised the farmers that if they use raw cow dung applied directly to the fields they might as well not use it at all. Cheap and local methods on making vermicompost heaps were discussed such as how could the heap be kept moist by using local pine needles as a covering over the heap. As well as that a suitable height for the heap is kept to no more than 1.5ft to allow good decomposition. It was also discussed that the current government subsidy in making pucca cemented vermicompost was a complete failure and farmers should not wait for any subsidy before beginning the composting unit.
In addition it was found that a type of Artemisia (locally Byur) a local weed which grows in high altitudes could be used as an effective pest repelling agent such as fleas. Methods to make a solution and filter it were discussed. It was also discovered that as per local people Artemisia had anti fungal properties and was also used to treat fungal infections in humans. OFAI members got some of the weed back at their farm to test extraction of the plant as well as discover its anti fungal properties.
After this the farmers needed information on how apples and other cash crops could be grown effectively. To this end Vikram Rawat of OFAI explained on how cultural practices such as mulching and vermicompost usage could effectively increase apple tree health. In addition, application of panchgavya could help in pest-repelling as well as provide vigor to the tree. This was followed with a discussion on apple specific techniques such as proper pruning practices, growing types such as central leader, spindle and vertical axis. A presentation on the same was shown to the growers. It was expected that growing trees in this manner could increase the per hectare yield manifold.
The day was followed by a visit to a nearby government owned orchard to see the condition of the trees and how terracing, mulching, pruning and other cultural practices could help in easy eradication of many of the problems faced by the growers of the region.
Day 3 –
OFAI members travelled to the lush Sangla Valley to meet growers and study model of sustainable agro-tourism. The members met with 32 farmers lead by Sh. VidyaKaran Negi of Sustainable Himalayan Development Movement who was a well known grower of the region as well as nodal person for promotion of farm home stays and Organic Farming. The farmers of Sangla valley grow herbs, flowers in addition to apples and other staples. Local varieties of wild buckwheat and barley are also grown. The area being beautiful as it was is also prone to frequent cloud bursts leading to heavy land sliding remnants of which were present throughout the valley. The shepherds of the valley leave for the fall months to graze their herds and also bring back with them some forest produce such as edible ferns, wild garlic and mushrooms. As it is that synthetic inputs are used sparingly by the farming community of the region however it was the endeavor of the group to completely avoid using the pesticides altogether.
The trip ended with meeting some specific growers of Himachal who had practiced Organic Farming with Third party certification but had not abandoned the movement since they could not sustain the yields and their orchards became susceptible to pests. Member of OFAI understood the problem to the likelihood of sudden movement towards organic farming from chemical farming. The growers were yet positive only if an effective marketing supply chain exists and were open to exploring the idea of revisiting Jaivik farming in case the environment is conducive for it.
More images of the visit -
