Recent scientific evidences unambiguously indicates that intense chemical farming leads to soil infertility by decrease in microbial activity and hardening of soil. This process leads to a situation that it becomes more and more difficult and costlier to continue with agricultural practices. Large parts of Punjab, Haryana and Maharashtra are reporting this trend and farmers are facing very difficult times.
It is also very clear today that intense use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides and insecticides results into agricultural and horticultural produce which is not only deficient in nutritional value, but also poisonous, and in fact leading to serious physiological disorders and fatal ailments. It has been recorded that our precious water sources are being contaminated to such an extent that the water has become unfit for use on several counts.
This scenario is further complicated when we read the forecasts about the future implications of change in climate. There are serious and real threats to our food security, especially for the poorer sections of the society in several parts of the world.
All this has led us to a situation that we are turning more and more towards organic farming. Table A shows the increasing trends of lands under organic management in India. As this table shows that certified organic area has grown more than 20 times in four years from 2003-04 to 2007-08.
These figures look very impressive for India, but if we observe the global trends, India is factually lagging far behind from the other regions of the globe. While organic farming is spreading over more than 31 million hectares worldwide, India has not crossed even 1 million as certified area till 2008. Map A shows the real story.
But we can draw consolation from the fact that India is lagging behind so far as certified area is concerned, but a majority of our farmers have been practicing organic farming since ages. Large parts of eastern India and Himalayan region are organic by default, because market forces and our scientific community failed to reach out there during the last few decades. Those who lagged in so called Green Revolution, can now lead in the future movement of organic farming. Let us focus more on our eastern region and Himalayan states and also on our small and marginal farmers now.
Huge demand for bio-manures
As we promote organic farming , this generates huge demand for bio-manures. As dung and urine from cows and it progenies are the basic inputs for bio-manure and bio-control, the demand grows exponentially. Even if the cow has stopped giving milk, there is no end to dung and urine, its utility goes much beyond the milk. Farmer would be obliged to nurture cows, even if they grow old and till their last breath.
Thus protection and promotion of cows i.e. Gou-Samvardhan becomes an economic imperative and this will lead to a virtuous cycle where Gou-palan and organic farming are mutually complementary.
I am reminded of a high-level meeting chaired by Prime Minister in 2001. Union Finance Minister, Dy-Chairman of the Planning Commission and so many senior officials were present in this meeting which I also attended as KVIC Chairman. While discussing plan for Khadi revival, I did mention that Gramodyog can do much more for Khad i.e. Bio-manure as KVIC was pioneer-agency in bio-gas for the last four decades. I referred that UP Agro-Industries Corporation has ventured into vermi-composting in a big way. I suggested that here is a win-win formula under which we can save both our cows and our farmers. The only step required was, I requested the PM to offer same subsidy and support to bio-manures as GoI is doing for chemical fertilizers. Since PM was reluctant and was not forthcoming, as there was huge amounts involved, I suggested that let us divide the amount equally between chemical fertilizer industry and bio-manure industry, so no extra burden would come on government budget. But PM still kept his silence, though somewhat curious on this proposal. I took the liberty to press further and suggest that there is a third option, let us stop subsidising chemical fertilizers to the tune of thousands of crores annually. I knew it was really difficult for the government to stop this huge subsidy. PM still remained silent. FM too maintained perfect silence.
Corporate Lobbies v/s Gou-palan
What I am trying to emphasise is that corporate lobbies are too strong and well-entrenched to be isolated by symbolic efforts. Our political class is heavily dependent on the purse of these lobbies. Both are committed to each other for their survival.
Here is another point for serious consideration of our scientific community. Under the temptations of corporate projects and the intellectual domination of western paradigm, Indian scientists committed a historic blunder during the 60s. They distorted the basic concept of soil fertility to such simplified formats as NPK or DAP and showed no concern for microbial activity. This was a sin towards soil-health. Let us restore back the glory of our land.
Is it possible to create a situation that Gou-Samvadhan becomes the master key for integral sustainable development? This is the only way. Let us proceed in the right direction. Kurukshetra is waiting for all those who aspire to lead in this historic battle for the honour and freedom of mother cow and our farmers. May Goumata and Annadata bless us in this divine effort.
(The writer is former Chairman of KVIC and former Director General of S&T, MP)
