Prof. G.S.

Murthy
HISTORY OF ORGANIC FARMING
Albert Howard 1873-1947 pioneer, botanist by profession .
( President Indian National Congress 1926). Supported
traditional Indian agricultural practices.
His theme was healthy soil, healthy people, live stock and
crops. Documented Organic training techniques.
Slow poisoning of the soil by chemical fertilisers
Book: Agricultural Testament.
The approach for Ag should be from land not from lab.
History of Organic Farming

Rudolf steiner 1924 (German)

Balancing the interaction of animals- plants-
Soils
(Ecology )management. Built Biodynamic farming
in Germany
Lord NorthBourne
The term organic farming was first coined by
him in his book Look to the land 1939.
 A treatise on holistic ecology and agriculture.
History of Organic Farming
Lady Eve Belfour UK
 systematically experimented on organic and
conventional farming from 1939-1943
Book- LIVING SOIL 1944.
Emphasised on the spiritual and ethical values
Manobu Fukuoka (Japan) microbiologist
Developed a model “No-Till” organic farming and
practiced and preached from 1940 for thirty years.
(Now known as fukuoka farming)
The five major principles of
Fukuoka's farming methods
are
1.No tillage 2.No fertilizer 3.No pesticides
4. No weeding 5.No pruning
Fukuoka has learned how plants can grow naturally and vigorously
with little or no human effort. For over fifty years he has achieved
surplus yields of rice, barley, plums, citrus fruits and vegetables by
means of natural farming. Fukuoka's methods have also been used to
green the deserts.
Books: One straw revolution, Road back to nature and
Natural way of farming.
 Western Researchers on
Organic Farming
J.I Rodale USA 1950:
Popularised the term sustainable agriculture
and the method of organic farming in USA and
published several scientific reports.
Rodale research Institute NY
1972 International federation of
organicAgriculture (IFOA) movement in
France. Co-ordinates all efforts in organic
farming world wide.
Conspiracy of Industrial
World
Post war scenario
Ammonium nitrate lost it’ s importance after the
invention of Nuclear Bomb.
Chemical fertilisers are imposed on the farmers
market in the name of productivity. Silentspring.
RachelCarson.1962.,
Tragedy of using toxic chemicals and pesticides
Disaster of Chemical
Fertilisers
The result is
 Loss of soil fertility- Land degradation
 Loss of biodiversity, Water scarcity,
Biodiversity erosion, climate change,
Chemically contaminated foods
Destruction of traditional knowledge systems
Organic Farming and
Bringing Life to the Soil
Organic farming offers “Living soil” theory.
Living soil is
Rich in nutrients N P K
Sufficient minerals for plant nutrition
B,Cl,Co,Cu,Fe,Mn,Mg,Mo,S and Zn
Rich in micro-organisms that support plant
growth
Contains large amount of top soil
Organic Farming –
Improving the Fertility of
Soil
Rich in organic matter( improves soil structure
and moisture) improves water retaining
capacity-improves underground water level
Note: Latest Nasa satellite survey reports
ground water levels of north India have been
declining 33cm
( one foot) per year. Times of India 14th Aug,
’09.
Cow – Mother of Farming
Subhas palekar Amaravati Maharashtra
Mob: 09423702877
Palekar’s views
Mother earth is Annapurna
It’s degradation is our doing
All the useful organisms billions and billions were
destroyed by chemical fertilisers.
We have to put a full stop for this indiscriminate use of
fertilisers
To replenish and bring back the soil to living condition the
source is COW and its products mainly its Dung and
Urine.
COW- Mother of Farming
Manure from one cow can maintain 30 acres of
cultivation profitably.
Jivamrutam a value added manure from cow’s
dung and urine.( See Natural farming –By palekar)
Dung is gold mine - A Book by International
society for cow protection ISCOWP.ORG says
The only way to the problems of shortage of food
grains, water, fuel, shelter, good health, nutrition,
eradication of poverty and unemployment is dung-
Dung and only Dung
Firodia,
Chairman, Kinetic group,
pune
Technical article The TOI, Dec, 2004
Methane farming a concept of alternate energy
In India 250 Mn cattle, 1250 Mn tonnes of cow dung
The methane produced can entirely replace LPG, Kerosene
use for cooking and petrol for transportation
The By-product is an excellent organic manure
Gobar gas research stn in U.P. finding : Each cow produces
methane equivalent to 225 Lts of petrol/yr
COW - Economic
Prosperity
Gobar from 75 Mn cows can meet the kerosene
and LPG requirement for 100 crore population
40 Mn cows can produce energy equivalent to 8
Mn tonnes petrol ( Our annual national petrol
consumption (2003-04 figs)
The gobar slurry produced in this process will
yield 50Mn tonnes of organic manure rich in N and
P
Meets all the fertiliser requirement for 150 Mn
Ha of crop lands of India
 COW - A Potential
Economic Tool
Most important phase of basic Indian economy (Cowbased)
was ignored by the frenzied industrial tempo. we need not
oppose industry but emphatically insist that all industrial
development must be in consonance and in conformity with
basic (cow based) indian economy. This requires will at
Govt. as well as people’s level
Industry should support, not distort and destroy this basic
cow economy of the country.
Some questions to make
people think
What else you want?
Why import oil and face oil and energy crisis?
Do we have the national will?
Are we on the right direction in shaping the
industrial and economic policies of our country?
Or else are we playing to the tune of Industry
driven technologies and policies to serve the
interests of few
and few countries?
Is it not the proper time to think?
Some questions to be
answered
Can organic farming produce enough food for
everybody?
 In the so called green revolution areas
(irrigated lands ) conversion to organic
agriculture usually gives the same yields.
In traditional rainfed agriculture ( with low
external inputs)org.Ag has shownpotential to
increase yields.
U.N. FAO Report 2002
Organic sustainable agriculture practices can provide
synergic benefits that include mitigating climate change
It has major potential for reducing Agricultural GHG s
Energy use in conventional Ag systems is 200 times
than that of Org.systems. Because most of the energy is
used in the manufacture of pesticides etc.,
Note : They are thrust by the big business, influences
the policy centers, MNC s, money , economics
Ref: Innovations Agronomiques (2009),4,P. 269 several
such reports are available
Institute of science in
society ISIS UK report
31/1/08 Dr.Mac wan HO
Synthetic fertilisers and oil based fertilisers
release CO2 through quick decay of soil
organic matter(Carbon)
On the other hand organic approach
sequesters carbon it takes carbon from the air
and puts back into the soil
Agriculture as we practice now is one of the
major contributers to global warming.But it
could be the biggest mitigator.The choice is
ours.
Cow – Rejuvenator of Soil
There were soils in US with 20% occarbon at
one time. Now some of them have 1% carbon
We need to put back the carbon into soil and
rebuild ecological and human health.
Healthy carbon rich soil holds water. 1 Kg of
carbon holds 40 Kgs of water
Organic systems avoids the formation of dead
zones (Hypoxic)formed through NO3 , P2O5
run off
Organic Farming-
ScientificEvidence

Several scientific reports support

Science Daily NY Jan 26,2006, July 13 2007,
reports crop yields in organic farming
systems in developing countries rose nearly 80
per cent in four yrs. Organic farming produce
thrice as much food as in conventional farming.
( with a caution) on the same amount of land.
Organic Farming-
ScientificEvidence
org. Ag. Out performs the conventional in production
especially in stress years that we may face more
frequently in future. Anna Lappe NY
founder of “Take a bite out of climate”
With the onset of Peak oil the conventional systems
fail to feed the world (www.oilcrisis.org).
Organic Farming-
ScientificEvidence
Dr.Paul Happerley, Research director Rhodale
Institute USA
“ We have shown that organic practices can do better
than any one thought, at sequestering carbon and
could counter act up to 40% of Global GHGs.
Re: Hunger, environment and nutrition - spring 2009,
Christine Mc cullum , Food and nutritional. consultant
“ Org .Ag. Past present and future
Questions on Organic
Farming
Is it possible to meet the nutrient requirement
In this system plant nutrition depends on
biologically derived nutrients( Slow kinetics but
perpetual) instead of readily soluble forms.
Animal dung ( cow),crop residues,green manure,
biofertilisers, biosolids from agro industries and
food processing wastes are the natural sources.
Note: 600-700 million ton of Ag. waste is available
in the country which is not properly utilised.
Organic Farming – Some
Vital Statistics
 India produces 1800 million tons of animal dung
Even 2/3 of dung is used produce 120 million
cubic meters of bio gas daily and 440 million
tons of manure per year.( equal to 2.5mn tons
of nitrogen,2.75 m tons of P2O5 and 1.8 m tons
of K2O.
Note: It is estimated 25 million workers in
developing countries are poisoned each year by
pestides. It Can be avoided by organic farming.
Organic Farming –
Economic Potential
Is it economically beneficial ?
The business in 2005 was 30 bn us dollars,with a
growth rate of 20-25%.
Govt.Agencies should help the small scale farmers
get proper returns for their organic produce.
30% land holding with small farmers and they
possess 70% cattle. They need to be trained in
cattle rearing for right economies.
Answer is palekar’s approach of natural farming
linked to cow.
Are there any
environmental benefits
30 years of research at Rodale institute Ny
USA showed that it is possible to substantially
mitigate the impacts of global warming
UNCTAD/WTO report says
Agriculture is both affected by climate change
but also contributes to it.
Org. farming mitigates and reduces green
house gas emission where as intensive
chemical fertiliser farming increases ghg
emission
 Conclusions of a recent intl.
symposium conducted by AAAS
Feb 2009 at Chicago
Theme: living soil-food quality
Conclusions:
Organically grown spinach contains less nitrate concn.
Which carcinogenic.(Review of a decade’s work)
Scientists agree org.farming delivers healthier rich soil and
nutritionally enhanced food.
30% increase in anti oxidants and tastier.
Average child in US is exposed to five pesticides daily.
Organic foods are free from them.
Public health costs of pesticides use in US are 1.1 Bn $
Agriculture holds the key to
global warming
Barbara kessler, Science Ny june 2, 2009
Five ways to reduce and seqester GHG s
1)enriching the soil carbon( the third largest
carbon pool) by burying carbon in the form of
Bio-char.
2) farming with periannials: periannial trees
including (forests) shurbs, palms, and grasses
that produce food ( live stock food and fuel)
Organic Farming – Climate
Friendly
3)climate friendly live stock production. Live
stock produce 50% of GHG s.
4) Manure management and methane
capture for bio-gas production.
5) protecting natural habitat,restoring
degraded watersheds, restoration of
vegetation.
Mahatma Gandhi ji’s
swadeswhi movement
Charakha is a means for independance
Swadeshi is a movement 1930 entire country
involved. In his words
The concept of swadeshi is not vindictive. It is a
necessity for national existance.
We got freedom in 1947. How independent are
we? It is a big question.
.
Gandhi – Cow - Organic
Farming
Gandhiji said rural india is real india. Is it safe
and secure particularly for small farmers i.e
60% of our rural population

Modern technology and the business, propelled

by the forces of market and politics is
responsible for disappearing of forests, drying
of rivers, degradation of farm lands and for the
disappearing of bio-diversity.
Organic Farming - Points to
Ponder
If man is making mess of his personal social and
ecological life, it is not because of want of knowledge, “ It
is because of lack of discipline”
The gap between knowledge and practice is widening
continuously. This distance is greater than the distance
between knowledge and ignorance
Organic Farming - Points to
Ponder
” Ponder on this “Who am I” “What do I own”
You are apparently rich but your direction is
wrong. Where it leads to?
Finally How good are the financial returns if
the water you drink , the food you eat and the
air you breathe are dreadfully contaminated.
Organic Farming - Points to
Ponder
Industry robs, exploits the poor, the ignorant
rural masses propagating Consumerism .
MNC s play deterministic roles. Govt is
helpless.
Economics got divorced from social concern
because the study of management is merely
concerned with materials and wealth.
What is the remedy to make rural poor rich
enough to provide two meals a day.
Organic Farming - Points to
Ponder
Org. farming has the answer.
Eleminates farmer suicides.
Mitigates economic recession
Improves rural economy
Empowers the farmer
Organic Farming - Points to
Ponder
Org farming is a movement originated in developed
countries to mitigate the evils of market driven
economies.
Everybody is a victim. rich and poor developed and
developing countries everybody.
The reason Mans’greed. Mahatma said
There is enough for man’s needs but not to his greed.
If man does not learn through wisdom, nature teaches
him by force. E.g. global warming, climate change,soil
degradation etc.,
Organic Farming - Points to
Ponder
Eternal vigilance is the price of the freedom.
To be aware and make people aware is called
Jnana yagna. B.G.
 It is going on in this country since ages.
 It is time to remember our mother earth and
the closely related cow in our own future
interests.
VMGG YATRA
IS ONE SUCH EFFORT
Web: www.gougram.org
An effort to keep the Indian villages on the
path of sustainable development through cow
and cow based economy.
Action Plan
To encourage farmers to rear indigenous cows
and bulls
To educate the farmers towards wholistic
approach towards cow based economy
To encourage to develop rural technologies
applied to organic farming methods and
improve employment potential in villages
To create conditions for reverse migration
from cities to villages
A Historical Movement
To keep our land fertile and be independent
To keep the rural poor self sufficient
To withstand the market driven economies
and the consumerism
To mitigate recession and its effects
 Note: Our failure to evaluate justly the
nature’s gifts to mankind is the serious
problem
A Historical Movement
Some features the Yatra
Yatra starts on 30th sept 2009 vijayadasami day
from Kurukshetra.
Covers 20,000 km in108 days
There will be several regional yatras connecting
the main
Crores of signatures will be obtained
Touches lakhs of villages
Hence: Participate and co operate in this
movement of national necessityand importance.
Eminent personalities
leading this movement
Sri Raghavendra Bharati swami ji
Sri sri Ravishankarji
Sri Ramdevji
Sri Mata Amritananda mai ji
Sri Acharya vidya sagarji
Sri Acharya Mahapragna ji
Swamy Dayananda sarswati ji
Sri Murari Bapu ji
SriPranav Pandyaji Hon.President
Dr H.R .Nagendra working president
References:
An agricultural testament-by sir.Albert Howard,1940
Other Indian press, Goa.
Secrets of the soil-peter Tompkins and Christopher Bird
Rupa and co, second Ed.,2004.
Philosophy of spiritual farming(zero budget natural
farming)-subash palekar.
Oraganic agriculture-P.K.tandon,1995.
Sustainable agriculture, www.sustainet.org
Center for Indian knowledge systems, TN. www.ciks.org
Recent references
New study confirms the ecological virtues of
organic farming. Mark shwartz., Stanford nes
service.,6th March 2006.
Carbon sequestration potential of Org.Ag. Bente
Foeried., e.al., Nutrient cycling in Agro systems,
Vol.6. No 1. p13-26 (jan 2004). article based on
USDA report Carbon credits to farmers p 10,Nov-
Dec 2008
GHG gases mitigation in Org.Ag.,, Pete smith
et..al.,
 Phil. Trans. of the Roy.So.,B.,vol363(815-363)
2008.
 “Africa: Reinventing Agriculture”, Stephen Leahy, Inter Press Service,  (Johannesburg), 15 April 2008,
http://allafrica.com/stories/200804150171.html
 “Urgent changes needed in global farming practices to avoid environmental destruction” Greenpeace International
Press Release, 15 April 2008.
 “GM foods ‘not the answer’ to world’s food shortage crisis, report says”, Sean Poulter, The Daily Mail, 16 April 2008
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=559965&in_page_id=1770
 GM food, biofuels and a hungry world, Editorial,
The Daily Mail, 16 April 2008
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/newscomment.html?in_page_id=1787&in_article_id=559945
 What is the International Assessment of Agricultural Knowledge, Science & Technology, IAASD? A compilation from its
plenary decisions and official documents, http://www.agassessment-watch.org/docs/IAASTD_on_three_pages.pdf
 International Assessment of Agricultural Knowledge, Science & Technology (IAASTD) Synthesis Report 25 November
2007, http://www.agassessment.org/docs/Synthesis_Report_261107_text.pdf
 Ho MW. Food without fossil fuels now. Invited Keynote Lecture, 2nd Mediterranean Conference on Organic Agriculture
in Croatia, Organic Agriculture – Contribution to Sustainable Ecosystem, 2-6 April 2008, Dubrovnik University.
Dubrovnik, Croatia, http://www.i-sis.org.uk/foodWithoutFossilFuels.php
 Ho MW, Burcher S, Lim LC et al. Food Futures Now, Organic, Sustainable, Fossil Fuel Free, ISIS TWN Report, London &
Penang, 2008.
 “Global food system ‘must change’” BBC News, 15 April 2008, http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7347239.stm
 “Change in farming can feed world – report”, John Vidal, The Guardian, 16 April 2008,
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/apr/16/food.biofuels
 Saunders PT. Marketing masquerading as scientific survey. Science in Society 38 (to appear).
 Ho MW and Saunders PT. “UK faremers upbeat about GM crops” debunked. Science in Society 38 (to appear).
 printer friendly version
Recent references contd :
www.sustainable.org Recent growth patterns of
US organic food markets, US dept. of agriculture,
Bulletin. No 777,Sept,2002.
www.twnside.org.sg (third world network)
benefits of organic farming report, March 08
Beware of pesticides in food chain-Prof.
R.S.Chauhan,organiser august 16,2009,p.31
Org.Ag., past, present and future, Christine Mc
Cullum-Hunger and Env nutrition, Spring 2009.
Rodale research institute reports,N.Y.
www.govigyan.com. Research Centre at Nagpur
Thaindian News July, 2009.
(ANI)
Change in fertiliser subsidy policy can save crores of rupees.
Ensures food security – Green peace
2008-09 fert. Sbusidy Rs. 1,20,000 crores.
Recommendations:
Look for alternative subsidy systems to sustainable Ag.
Refocus scientific research and ensure food security under
changing climatic conditions
Dr.B.Croy, Dr.G.Nchattopadyay, Viswabharati Univ.
And Dr.Reyes Tirado, Green peace Res. Labs. Univ. of Exter
Some quotes to think
Cow is the source of progress and prosperity.
Mahatma Gandhiji
Cow protection is the eternal Dharma of India
Babu Rajendra Prasad
Cow is the foundation of our country. Giyani Zailsingh
Neither Koran nor Arabian customs permit killing of
cow –Hakim Ajmal Khan
According to me there is nothing more scientific and
intelligent act than banning cow slaughter—J.P.Narayan
Quotes
Cow’s milk is tonic, it’s ghee is ambrosia and
its’ meat is disease. Hazarat Mohamad
Killing a bull s equivalent to killing a cow. Jesus
christ
 I have studied both koran and Bible. According
to both of them to kill a cow even indirectly is a
great sin. Achaya vinoba Bhave
 Several such quotes are available
 THINK

QUERIES????
THANK YOU