Increasing, and frequent, use of chemical fertilizers, weedicides and other chemicals have reportedly led to the desertification of our soils. The decrease of microbial population, loss of specific nutrients, loss of biomass and the declining use of Farm Yard Manure (FYM) has slowly degraded the fertility of the soil. Many studies link low productivity with low fertility. Since the fertile status is not total and only piecemeal in nature, the plants also remain susceptible to pests and diseases. This deadly combination has given rise to ecological problems in agriculture.
Chetana-Vikas encourages farmers to make good use of FYM that they can extract from their cattle. However, the introduction and use of tractors have reduced the availability of this natural resource. That doesn’t take away from the fact that it’s still a prized commodity within a farmer’s reach and something that makes him self-reliant.
SOWING MORE TO REAP MORE
Chetana-Vikas advises farmers to grow leguminous mixed crops and intercrops along with the main crop to ensure in situ generations of compost (the process of protecting a plant in its natural habitat). Also, the increase of humus in the soil leads to total fertility, which is not just restricted to NPK (Nitrogen, Phosphorous and Potassium).
As a result, farmers experienced an increase in total production—almost double the initial baseline—by using these simple methods. Apart from that, the productivity of individual crops also increased.
In addition, use of other productivity-enhancing techniques like external compost, vermicompost, vermiwash, sanjivak pani and jeevamrut are used where necessary and possible.
Research & Innovations
- Agrobiodiverse farming with 35 crops in 1 hectare of land, even rainfed, under local farmers conditions and their prevailing constraints.
- Security of livelihood, food & nutrition of family up to 80%.
- Soil health improvement: 125 to 400% on 6 scientific parameters within 5 years.
- A consortium of cash crops and food crops together and integrated.
- Focusing on the increase in production of individual cash crops like cotton, soybean, pigeon pea, wheat and turmeric while maintaining the holistic system.
- Methods and introduction of manual and bullock driven tools and implements specifically to reduce labour cost in farming.
Other Updates
A Television Serial in Marathi was launched – “AMHI BI-GHADALO” in 2018, on DD Sahyadri.
It was a semi-fiction story exploring critical issues about today’s farming, villagers and village life. This 26 episode serial is produced by Maharashtra Knowledge Corporation Ltd (MKCL), a leading giant spreading computer literacy in the various States of India and also overseas.
The technical knowledge input and consultancy is by CHETANA-VIKAS, Wardha, a Non-Profit Organisation working on Alternative Agriculture & development of Rural people, since past many decades. Both the organisations are committed to probing ways and solutions to address the Agrarian Crisis which is breaking the backbone of the Indian farm sector.
Director, Script, dialogues are by Shri Prasad Namjoshi, a multiple award-winning filmmakers.
Do watch and please spread the word. Available on Youtube.
Future Plans
- Increasing productivity, profitability & stability by 20% in 3-5 years.
- Special attention to address challenges because of the Climate Change Crisis.
- Addition of 100 new demo farmers from representative villages across 1,000 villages of Wardha District.
- Special attention to women farmers.
- Processing & marketing of products for premiums, and promotion of organization of the producer group of farmers.
- Reaching out to new areas of 5 States of India, policy-making bodies, academia and networks; attending visitors coming for studies.
- Documentation of sample of farmers.
- Training course for practitioners.
- Continuation of the pilot experiment on Resource Centre of Chetana-Vikas and its thorough documentation.
- Publications, papers, articles.
- Collaborating and facilitating as Consultant Resource Agency for production and telecasting of a 26 episode serial on Self-Reliant Agro-biodiverse Alternative way of farming.
- Collaborating and facilitating as Consultant Resource Agency for production and telecasting of a 26 episode serial on Self-Reliant Agro-biodiverse Alternative way of farming.