Fatik Hembram, Jiban Hansda and Sakiruddin Sk.
On the 5th of January 2023 Community Fellows and members of Paschim Kheria Sabar Kalyan Samiti (PBKSKS) conducted a workshop on Organic agriculture at Mirgichami Sabar Tola, Bandwan block, Purulia District, West Bengal. The participants included 94 farmers from Mirgichami and adjoining villages. In order to garner for organic agriculture in the area invitees included Deputy Director of the District Horticulture department Dr. Samarendra Khara, and Agriculture Development Officer (ADO) A.D.O Of Bandwan Block Satyajit Pati. The Programme started at 12:00 pm with a discussion about Organic Agriculture. Organic agriculture is an integrated production management system which promotes and enhances agro-ecosystem health, including biodiversity, biological cycles and soil biological activity. It emphasizes the use of natural inputs (i.e. mineral and products derived from plants) and the renunciation of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. Organic agriculture follows the principles and logic of a living organism, in which all elements (soil, plant, farm animals, insects, the farmer and local conditions) are closely linked to each other. This is accomplished by using, where possible, agronomic, biological and mechanical methods, following the principles of these interactions, using the natural ecosystem as a model.
According with the Guidelines of Organically Produced Foods of the Codex Alimentarius (2007), an organic production system is designed to:
· Enhance biological diversity within the whole system;
· Increase soil biological activity;
· Maintain long-term soil fertility;
· Recycle wastes of plant and animal origin in order to return nutrients to the soil, thus minimizing the use of non-renewable resources;
· Rely on renewable resources in locally organized agricultural systems;
· Promote the healthy use of soil, water, and air as well as minimize all forms of pollution that may result from agricultural practices;
· Promote the careful processing methods of agricultural products in order to maintain the organic integrity and vital qualities of the product at all stages;
· Become established on any existing farm through a period of conversion, the appropriate length of which is determined by site-specific factors such as the history of the land, and the type of crops and livestock to be produced.
The goal of organic agriculture is to contribute to the enhancement of sustainability. But what does sustainability mean? In the context of agriculture, sustainability refers to the successful management of agricultural resources to satisfy human needs while at the same time maintaining or enhancing the quality of the environment and conserving natural resources for future generations. Sustainability in organic farming must therefore be seen in a holistic sense, which includes ecological, economic, and social aspects.
After lunch, Bandwan Bolck agriculture officer Satyajit Pati announced that they are providing palak, onion and other seeds and interested farmers could visit the agriculture office and received the seeds. He also talked about mixed farming cultivation as a benefit to farmers.
The discussion on organic agriculture was followed by a practical training and demonstration making Bio Fertilizer & Pesticide with cow dung, Cow urine, Tobaco Leaf, Mirchi , etc. and how to control pest Physical & Mechanical Method. This demonstration was facilitated by community fellows Rampada Sabar, Jiban Hansda, Bharati Sabar and local Mirgichami farmer Chottu Sabar who had recently attended a training program on preparation of organic inputs in Potka, East Singhbhum District, Jharkhand.
The program ended at 4:00 pm.
