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A Story Of Natural Farming!

By Staff

It is a fascinating story of natural farming near Kollegal in Chamarajanagara District. Chemical fertilisers are not used. There is no de-weeding or tilling and the farm lacks irrigation facilities. But the yield is plentiful. M K Kailashmurthy's farm in Doddinduvadi Village of Kollegal Taluk of Chamarajanagara District is a fine example of natural farming.

Talking to UNI here, he said natural or zero farming could be the solution to the burning problems of farmers. Conventional agricultural practices with emphasis on intensive use of water, chemical fertilisers and high investments led to many farmers falling into a debt trap.

The 6.5 acre farm, about 11 km from Kollegal on the road to Malai Mahadeswara Hills, a place rich in biodiversity and teeming with life, was gifted to him by his father-in-law. A bank employee, Mr Kailashmurthy has proved one could reap benefits from natural or zero farming.

Like others,he, too, started practicising modern farming in 1984 by using tonnes of chemical fertilisers and pesticides. Though the yield was higher he found decrease in soil fertility and the crop'poisoned.' In due course, the disease-causing mites began to affect the crops and the yields gradually diminished. It was then he decided to put an end to the use of chemical fertilisers and pesticicdes and opt for zero farming. However, the results were not immediate. He experimented with paddy, wheat, ragi, mango and guava, which were attacked by mites and insects.

There was no intervention and the 'natural farmer' allowed the battle between the plant and mites to be played out. Finally, the plants developed resistance to the mites and began to bloom.

Mr Murthy said his experiments with mangoes only reinforced his faith in natural farming. Having used chemicals to ward off mites, he saw the crop withering due to disease.

So he left the plants to fight it out. Over a period of time, the mango trees hit back and in two years, the yield was ten tonne from 30 trees.

Pointing out agro-scientists had certified the crop as pest-free as also 60 varieties of herbal plants and 250 varieties of edible roots.

He had grown a record 33 quintals of paddy per acre compared to 20 quintals by his neighbours who used modern tools and technique.

Claiming the input was zero and output plantiful, Mr Kalaishmurthy said after a decade he was completely self-sufficent and no longer invested money in seeds, fertilisers or pesticides.

Mr Murthy said India treasured more than 35,000 varieties of rice strain a century ago, he said only 100 varieties existed today.

The natural balance of soil was resorted and the 6.5 acre of land transformed itself into a forest, a self-sustaining eco-system.

More then 300 varieties, including 60 varieties of edible plants with medicinal values and medicinal plants, now grow. This silent revolution in the field of agriculture, with the use of established methods, not only attracted the nearby farmers but also scientists from various disciplines from all over the country, who have been visting regularly for the spot study on this tiny natural farm.

Barring electricity to lift water, no outside agents were used to raise crops. Those who laughed and ridiculed him today are slowly taking up to natural farming.

Foreigners and experts in natural farming are frequent visitors to his farm. The mini-forest in dry terrain was being treated as a research laboratory, he claimed.

Mr Murthy spends most of his free time in grooming the new generation, to create awarness on the hazards of chemical farming and the innumerable benefits of natural farming.

He strongly believes going back to nature was the only answer to all the present problems of farmers. He recommended four principles to be adopted in natural farming -- no cultivation, no pesticides or chemicals, no fertilisers and no weeding.

Mr Kailashmurthy claimed he had received a few lakhs of rupees from the sale of bananas, mangoes, drumsticks and mulberry leaves.

He stressed the yield was high and so was the demand because the agricultural produce did not have chemical residue.

Now he has a band of followers who together have set up a society called "Nisarega." He plans to raise paddy and sugarcane crops through zero cultivation.

He had already purchased three acre of land for the purpose and looking for progressive farmers who could afford to spend time in natural farming. This land would be used for experimental purpose. Mr Murthy had been regularly organising seminars at his farm, inviting scientists, farmers, officials of Agriculture and Horticulture Departments, seed scientists, agronomists, environmentalists and writers to discuss the virtues of zero farming.

He invites students from both Mysore and Chamarajanagara District to participate in mango eating competitions in his farm.

Inspired by Ramon Magsaysay Awardee and natural farming pioneer Masanobu Fukuwoka's 'One straw revolution,' he decided to show the world the merits of doing zero farming. The trick was to remove nothing and allow nature to reclaim the land, he concluded.

Story first published: Friday, April 25, 2008, 13:13 [IST]