Dhananjoy Mandi
On the 30th of May 2024 technical expert Bhairab Saini visited the Sabar villages of Kashidih and Makarkendi in Manbazar I Block of Purulia District, Jharkhand. Bhairab is a farmer himself and he and his team have been working with and promoting organic agriculture and ecological farming practices for over 20 years. They have established the organization – Panchal Susthaye Krishi Udyog Samiti which is promoting Ecological farming, traditional seeds and seed conservation in the region.
Bhairab was accompanied by members of Paschim Banga Kheria Sabar Samiti (PBKSKS) and Community Resource Persons (CRPs) of the Eastern India and Using Diversity projects who have been promoting Agroecology, natural farming practices, and traditional food systems in Kheria Sabar villages of Purulia and Bankura district of West Bengal. Bhairab first conducted a training with members of PBKSKS, CRPs and Sabar farmers in Kashidih village. The program involved 19 adults (6 men and 13 women) and 9 children. He discussed the concept of Forest Gardens which involves the planting of shade tolerant species under tree cover. The focus was on Ginger and Turmeric which several Sabar farmers would be cultivating under tree cover in the upcoming agricultural season. He covered different steps and measures to be adopted for the cultivation of ginger and turmeric under tree cover touching on topics like water management, organic fertilisers and distance to be maintained when sowing.
Bhairab next covered the benefits and importance of crops like Maize, Finger Millet, Pear Millet, Sorghum, Little Millet and Foxtail Millet. He highlighted how these are hardy crops that can grow even with less water and are resistant to most pests. They make an invaluable contribution to health and nutrition. They can be cultivated without any chemical inputs. He discussed some of the benefits of cereals like Madua (Finger Millet) pointing out that Madua is rich in calcium and it can help combat calcium deficiency among women who would no longer need to take calcium pills if Madua is a regular part of their diet. Cereals like Maize and Millets help improve immunity and help keep many illnesses at bay. They can also be cultivated in an ecologically sustainable manner without use of any harmful chemical inputs.
Bhairab then visit some farmers plots where they have sown ginger and turmeric sharing some advice and measures, they can take with regards to their crops.
After the meeting in Kashidih Bhairab and the PBKSKS team visited the home of farmer Ajit Sabar in Makarkendi village interacting with him and other farmers. They discussed the cultivation of trees like Papaya, and Jackfruit as well as uncultivated food trees like Mahua and Jamun. Ajit provided a tour of his lands where he had grown various tree crops and they had a discussion on issues concerning cultivation of trees like the ideal distance between Jackfruit trees which Bhairab pointed out should be around 15 to 20 feet. Ajit had also planted some Sonajhuri (Acacia auriculiformis) trees for commercial purposes. Bhairab pointed out that Sonajhuri plantations have negative ecological impacts which include reduction in soil moisture, soil fertility, atmospheric moisture, and suppression of native species. He advised Ajit that it is better to plant native fruit bearing trees which will provide him benefits for many years to come and are also good for the soil and ecology of the area. The field visit concluded with the visit to Ajit’s farm.
