Farmers open to exploring alternative agricultural methods

Ploughing an unchartered terrain and taking the accompanying risks in adopting alternative methods in agriculture is becoming common among farmers in Mysuru region.

This is being attributed to the shrinking agricultural income owing to increase in cost of cultivation that is eroding the profit margin.

As a result, there is growing acceptance of natural farming, organic farming and natural zero-budget farming. The shifting pattern stems from a growing realisation of rise in cultivation cost due to excessive dependence on chemical pesticides and insecticides that has devastated the eco-system and soil fertility.

A case in point is that of Krisnnappa, a farmer from Bannur who has changed his fortunes from being a debt-ridden cultivator to cash-rich and crop-surplus farmer.

But the transformation of Mr. Krishnappa, who owns about 20 acres of land, was not an overnight phenomenon. As he explained, “I was neck-deep in debt. Agriculture was least remunerative and had run up a debt of Rs. 20 lakh.”

Having learnt of zero-budget farming of Subhash Palekar — a traditional practice that entails no extraneous additions to soil like fertilizer and pesticides — Mr. Krishnappa recalled that he decided to take the plunge as it entailed no investment and the results were impressive.

“Over the years, not only have I cleared the debt but I am better-off and even the food I cultivate, sell and consume is devoid of carcinogenic material,” he said. Another practitioner of zero-budget farming in H.D. Kote is M.N. Anand.

At the last count, there were anywhere between 500 to 1,000 farmers into zero-budget agricultural practice in Mysuru region.

This is besides the existence of organic farmers like Vivek Cariappa, who spearheaded organic cultivation that spanned association like Savayava Krushikara Sangha in H.D. Kote; Kailash Murthy, a natural farmer near Kollegal, and scores of others. Also, organisation such as Sahaja Samruddha is not only promoting organic and natural farming but also networking with such farmers and providing them a platform to sell the produce.

Even the Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha is promoting them on a wider scale among its members.

Badagalpura Nagendra of the KRRS said for too long farmers have been at the mercy of seed manufacturers, financial institutions for loans, fertilizer companies and insurance companies and the alternative agricultural practice provides a ray of hope for farmers.

The shifting pattern stems from a growing realisation of rise in cultivation cost owing to excessive dependence on chemical pesticides and insecticides

Source: http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/farmers-open-to-exploring-alternative-agricultural-methods/article6642212.ece