BeTheVoice

There have been numerous research published pertaining to the effects of chemical fertilizers and hazardous pesticides which resulted in severe diseases like ADHD, Kidney & liver issues, respiratory problems, infant mortality, early puberty, and cancer.

Post World War II, US and the Europe shifted to mass production of Pesticides & Fertilizers and now the impacts are clearly visible on soil, water, and environment. Loss of Biodiversity is the prime example of heavy uses of pesticides.

Due to heavy doses of fertilizers, infertility is widely spread across the continent and people are not getting the production they expected.

One thing to notice in India is, we have started using Chemical Fertilizers post-Independence, majorly after the green Revolution. Prior to that, we were dependent on FYM and Composts which were called to be sustainable technology as it promotes microbial activities in the soil and organic carbon was quite higher in the soil.

It is hard to believe that Organic Farming is Less than 1 % of total production in the world. So how we will manage to put a healthy plate on the table for 99% population if we will not shift to Organic Farming or Natural Farming.

Let me clarify through its impact on three major stakeholders:-

1. Consumer:- Several Studies have been published quoting that pesticides free food has helped them to cure severe illnesses
2. Studies also suggested that continuous use of chemically grown food or contamination with farm-based chemicals in land and water, causing several fatal diseases (Kasargod village of Kerala is the prime example)
3. For Farmers:- Organic farming work in synergy with Nature, so there is no use of pesticides or fertilizers used, farmers save heavy cost which comes around INR 15k–20K/Acre (In India). Organic farming needs less water, fewer inputs (organic waste matter as compost ) and gradually it could fetch more produce that chemical-based farming.
4. Farmer’s health is at stake as many of the farmers and agricultural laborers are suffering from acute lung diseases.
5. Farmers get a premium from the consumers as he provides food that has medicinal and healing properties.
6. For Environment:- Organic farming is a highly recommended practice as it works as a complementary mechanism. Microorganisms die in the farm and environment due to the heavy use of pesticides and it results in an imbalance in the ecosystem and hampers the farm biodiversity. Lastly, i would say it is the urgent need of everyone on the planet otherwise mankind will be in danger and individual interest will wipe out our community.

We have a misconception about our production of wheat and rice in India, we think that the Post-Green Revolution, our production increased exponentially. Does it happen?

Initially, to some extent, it did shoot up due to artificial fertilizers but eventually, it falls down and unable to break even compared to the cost of production. Due to monocropping India lost more than 5000 Species of edible and medicinal plants & Herbs which were omnipresent before the green Revolution but monocropping hampered the biodiversity the most. So if we will replace the 5000 Species with only two crops, wheat and rice then it is quite obvious that the production of these two grains will shoot up. We are the land of diversity and we need to pay great attention to promote the diversity in our ecosystem. Our climatic conditions are suitable for multi-cropping or crop rotation and we have to promote it by all means to protect farm diversity and species diversity.

I am working as an Organic Farmer and Manager for the last six years and i always feel satisfied as i am the reason for someone’s healing and providing a toxic-free food for the community.

Comment your thoughts on the importance of Organic farming, do you believe in that, pesticides and chemical fertilizers are harmful to our mother nature and our families?

Let us talk about it!