Deprecated (16384): The ArrayAccess methods will be removed in 4.0.0.Use getParam(), getData() and getQuery() instead. - /home/brlfuser/public_html/src/Controller/ArtileDetailController.php, line: 73
 You can disable deprecation warnings by setting `Error.errorLevel` to `E_ALL & ~E_USER_DEPRECATED` in your config/app.php. [CORE/src/Core/functions.php, line 311]
Deprecated (16384): The ArrayAccess methods will be removed in 4.0.0.Use getParam(), getData() and getQuery() instead. - /home/brlfuser/public_html/src/Controller/ArtileDetailController.php, line: 74
 You can disable deprecation warnings by setting `Error.errorLevel` to `E_ALL & ~E_USER_DEPRECATED` in your config/app.php. [CORE/src/Core/functions.php, line 311]
Warning (512): Unable to emit headers. Headers sent in file=/home/brlfuser/public_html/vendor/cakephp/cakephp/src/Error/Debugger.php line=853 [CORE/src/Http/ResponseEmitter.php, line 48]
Warning (2): Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /home/brlfuser/public_html/vendor/cakephp/cakephp/src/Error/Debugger.php:853) [CORE/src/Http/ResponseEmitter.php, line 148]
Warning (2): Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /home/brlfuser/public_html/vendor/cakephp/cakephp/src/Error/Debugger.php:853) [CORE/src/Http/ResponseEmitter.php, line 181]
Notice (8): Undefined variable: urlPrefix [APP/Template/Layout/printlayout.ctp, line 8]latest-news-updates/indigenous-agriculture-processing-reap-yields-snehlata-shrivastav-4675345.html"/> LATEST NEWS UPDATES | Indigenous agriculture, processing reap yields -Snehlata Shrivastav | Im4change.org
Resource centre on India's rural distress
 
 

Indigenous agriculture, processing reap yields -Snehlata Shrivastav
-The Times of India

NAGPUR: Subhash Vasant Kamdi and Varsha Anant Bhoyar, organic farmers from Wardha and Nagpur districts, respectively, have set ideal examples for promoting indigenous agriculture and processing. They are also propagating how traditional agriculture can still be more sustainable as compared to commercial agriculture.

Kamdi has been into organic cultivation of various crops like wheat and sugarcane. Speaking to TOI during the ongoing three-day 'Seed Festival', he said that it was sad that as farmers they didn't get the required support from society or leaders for promoting indigenous agriculture. "If I want to stand in elections I will get both financial as well as political support, but not for agriculture," he said. But he has not lost hope and despite making losses for the past 10 years he is struggling to promote sustainable and organic agriculture.

The festival under way at the Sarvodaya hall near Bole petrol pump has many traditional and progressive farmers working for traditional agriculture. Kamdi tells that he is using scientific techniques for producing organic jaggery. He uses ladyfinger gel and castor leaves to clean the vessel in which the juice is boiled. For uniform heating of the vessel, it bottom is layered with a mixture of urad dal and the juice. "My jaggery has all the minerals and the original contents. Whereas in sugarcane factories chemicals like sulphur are used to clean the juice of its dirt and colour. Yet people prefer the jaggery made in factories," he said.

Bhoyar, who cultivates Ambadi along with other crops in Kacheri Sawangi village in Katol taluka, is producing a variety of products like jam, jelly, chocolate, began, powder, tea etc from this vegetable which is traditionally considered to be very healthy. "Each part of this plant - flowers, leaves, stems, roots and seeds - are all used for preparing these products. It has ample benefits. The ambadi can be used to make bhakar as well as pakodas. Its powder is an alternative to aamchur. Its seeds are excellent mouth fresheners," she said. She has branded her products as Gavkus.

Moving a few steps ahead of these two, Brahmanand Panjul, another organic farmer from Waigaon, has formed a company which collects turmeric produced by farmers of the area and processes them using indigenous technology. He claims that his turmeric has the 'organic' certification and has 5% curcumin and has very good anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antioxidant and various other medicinal properties. The Waigaon turmeric is known for its very dark colour and different flavour. "Compared to other turmeric powders available in market, even half kg of this turmeric is enough for a family of four for a year," he said

A graduate and a teacher, Panjul has a group of 25 farmers who have joined hands with him. They work with the Kasturba Health Society under the guidance of Ulas Jajoo of Sewagram to promote conventional agriculture as well as traditional but healthy food for tribal population. "Personally, I produce about 20 quintals of the turmeric and earn about 40% profit. We also sell modern packaged packets of the turmeric for anything between Rs400-100 per kg. There are people everywhere who appreciate the value of organic products and buy it at higher costs," he said.

The Joint Forest Committee of Chandala in Gadchiroli district and the Gadchiroli forest division have jointly prepared a non-alcoholic Mahua Sharbat. The product is, however, being marketed by Vijaylaxmi Exports. The department is also selling the herbal gulal prepared from Palas flowers.