The Hindu Business Line : `Organic farming, only solution to agriculture crisis'

At a time when Bt crops and GM foods are making headlines trying to convince the Indian farmers on the positive aspects of their cultivation, a silent revolution is being organised by Mr R. Ranganathan, President, "Poison-free-food" association and Vice-President of LIESA (low input external sustainable agriculture) in Tamil Nadu.

Both these associations consist of more than 10,000 organic farmers all over the country as its members. Mr Ranganathan shares his views with Business Line on the importance of organic farming.

How many organic farmers and farms are there in India?

Currently, there are about 30,000 organic farmers and 8,000 organic farms in the country. In Tamil Nadu alone, about 500 organic farms and 3,000 organic farmers are there.

What are the major crops farmers cultivate?

Till 1970, about 25 per cent land was used to grow cash crops. Currently, cash crops are being cultivated in nearly 60 per cent land and food crops cultivation has come down by 50 per cent.

Farmers are moving away from the normal food grain and fruit, vegetable cultivation to more remunerative crops such as teak, casuarina and bamboo plantations. Even in the Cauvery delta comprising Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur and Thanjavur districts, which are considered to be the rice bowl of paddy cultivation, food crops have come down by 44 per cent, compared to a decade ago.

Is there any reason for this decline?

The main reason is that farmers feel cultivating food crops is no longer remunerative. In addition, migration of people from villages to cities has created severe manual shortage leading to labour problems.

For growing paddy in one acre a farmer has to spend about Rs 9,000. After six months, he gets a net income of about 10,000.

To earn more, he uses chemical fertilisers and hybrid seeds. Though for some time it may be profitable; in the long run these chemicals and hybrids fail to produce the desired results.

Do you say that chemical pesticides have pushed farmers into penury?

The current agricultural scenario is depressing. Production cost is high, while selling cost is low. The soil has become barren due to indiscriminate use of chemicals. . In addition, we have got the Bt and GM crops now. How can organic farming be a solution to current problems in agriculture?

Organic farming is the only solution. In fact, after the spate of several suicides in Vidharba, a number of farmers in Maharashtra took to organic cultivation. Currently, there are nearly 10,000 organic farmers in Maharashtra. Compared to chemical farming, organic farming is economical as there is minimal input cost. The cultivated crop is healthy and free from toxic residues, which affect human health.

But there is a belief among many farmers that organic farming will not get good yields compared to chemical farming?

It is true that if one turns to organic farming the yield will be average for the first 3-4 years.

That is because all these years chemicals have been dumped in the soil making it barren. To make it productive, it requires time.

What are the environmental benefits of organic agriculture?

The main aim of organic agriculture is to establish an ecological balance with the nature.

It takes a proactive approach towards the environment as opposed to treating problems after they emerge.

How far are the State governments interested in this organic concept?

Particularly in South Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, State Governments are extending complete support to organic farming. Bangalore, in particular, has been hosting the International seminar on organic farming for the past two years.

Can organic farmers produce enough food for everybody?

At present, about 30 per cent of Indian farmers are organic. They can create awareness among others on the organic benefits. If this is done, then there should be no problem in producing enough food for everybody. But for this situation to arise, one might have to wait for another decade or so.

Farmers generally face problems in marketing their produce. How does an organic farmer market his produce?

Farmers who grow their crops organically can approach us. They can join our association through which they can market their produce. Presently our association has about 28 organic outlets in Chennai, 30 in Bangalore, 100 in Kerala and about 300 in Andhra Pradesh.

Does organic farming give rise to bacterial infections such as E-coli as cattle waste is a major base for manufacturing organic manures?

Compared to chemical pesticides and fertilisers, which cause serious health ailments such as cancer and reproductive disorders in humans, there is no known case of any infection or health disorder till date affecting people consuming organically grown food.

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`Organic farming, only solution to agriculture crisis'