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NaturalFarmingatAmanBagh:2012-2017 Page1of26

NaturalFarmingatAmanBagh2October2017

TableofContents

Introduction...............................................................................................................................................1FarmingFeeds........................................................................................................................................................2RuralHeritage.........................................................................................................................................................4

PartII:2012-2014....................................................................................................................................7ThePeopleChallenge.............................................................................................................................................8Manure,IrrigationandSeeds...............................................................................................................................9Bullocks..................................................................................................................................................................10Cattle.......................................................................................................................................................................12GobarGas................................................................................................................................................................13

PartIII:2014-2016...............................................................................................................................15BuildingSoilHealth..............................................................................................................................................10ThinkVillageEconomy.......................................................................................................................................18FruitTrees,Seeds................................................................................................................................................18Water.......................................................................................................................................................................19Pests.........................................................................................................................................................................19RevenuesandExpenses......................................................................................................................................21ThePastintheFuture..........................................................................................................................................23

Figures

DiscoveringanInterrelatedWorld.........................................................................................................3

TheSoilFoodWeb....................................................................................................................................15TransitionsinThinking&ActionatAmanBagh(2012-2017).......................................................26

AllphotographstakenbyHarshLohitatAmanBagh

Findmoreatwww.sacredspaces.in


NaturalFarmingatAmanBaghIntroduction

FarmingFeedsNaturalfarminghasbeenajourneyofself-discoveryandtransformationsinceIfirstappliedthesustainablewaysofmypeasantancestorsinearly2012on6acresatAmanBaghinsouthHaryana.Myjourneycommencedwithasimplestoryof‘Nochemicals!’andhastakenmetoplacesIcouldnotthenimagine.Ihavemovedfromtractortilling,tobullockploughing,topartlyno-till;frommono-croppingtocroprotation,multi-croppingandgreenmanuring;fromannualfoodcropsandtheplough-violencethatentailsonthesoilto50%perennialbio-diversefruit‘forests’;fromfocusingonabove-the-soilproductiontounderstandingtheworldoflifebelowthesoil;andbuildingthebiologyinthesoilbyaddingquantitiesofbiomass.Inreturnforengagingmindfullywiththeearth,shetransmittedtomeaheightenedawarenessofruralIndiawherelandisscarceandpeoplemanytimesmorethancangainfullyliveoffit;andtherealitythatthemarginalandsmallpeasants,thelandlessandsundrysmallartisansandvastarmyofruralunderemployedareyet65%ofourvastpopulation.Wewillhaveover800millionpeopleinthevillagesevenin2030,whenamuchgreaterpercentageofuswillbeinthecitiesthantoday.ThevillageisnotgoingawayanytimesooninIndia.Ialsolearntoftheinterconnectednessofourterribleinequalitywiththeenormouspoweroftheurban,high-casteelite,aswellasthemoderncorporationsmanagedbythiselite,inourconsumermarketdriveneconomy.Iunderstoodtheongoingdevastationofhandloomandcraftlivelihoods,theterrifyingstateofandprognosisforourenvironment,theintensiveoveruseofchemicalsingrowingfoodinwhatwassorecentlyanorganic-by-defaultnation,ourunhealthyindividualfoodchoicesinwhatistheworld’sonlyvegetarian-cuisinenation,andtheongoingdestructionofindividualhealth.Ihavemovedinthese5yearsfromgrowingfoodformybody,tofeedingmysoul.


PeasantFarming&Agriculture

Handlooms&Handicrafts

ImpactonEnvironment

WholePlantVegetarian

Foodashealth&PersonalWellness

UnderstandingofruralIndia

RuralLivelihoods

Familyhealth

experiences

FarmingatAmanBagh

Villageexperiencesinyouth

Economics

Politics Health

DiscoveringanInterrelatedWorld


Ihavelearntfarmingbyabsorbingmuchofwhatmypeasantfarmhandshavetaughtmeandbyintegratingforgottentraditionsaswellasnewpracticesfromacrosstheworld.MyfocusistocontinuebuildingacommunityinAmanBaghthatprovidesacompassionateandsupportiveworkenvironmentforthemarginalpeasantswhoworkwithme,toestablishaestablishalow-inputandbio-diverseperennialfarmingecosystemenvironmentallysustainableinasmanywaysaspossibleandfossil-fuelphobic,afarmingsystemsuitedtotheecologyofmyareaandtothegeniusofthefoodcroppingsystemsthathavebeenestablishedformillenniainthisregion.ToparaphraseGandhi,Ihaveopenedthewindowsofmymindwidetoallowinthewaftofnewideasonfarming,nutritionandfood,butIremainrootedinmytraditionsandwillnotbeblownoffmyfeet.IalsofindnopossibilityfortheindividualawakenedtothemultiplechallengesofagricultureinIndiatolookonfarmingsolelyorevenprimarilyasaquestionofhealthyfoodchoices.Itisallinterconnected.Naturalfarminghasnecessarilytobeavigorouspoliticalstatementopposingthedominanceofthemarketbywhichtherural(peasantandlandlessalike)areeffectivelyshutoutofanurban-biasedsystem.MichaelLiptonstatedpithily‘thevillagegetsthelipserviceandsympathy,whilethecitygetsthecapital’.Iaddresssomeofthesethoughtsinanotheressay‘WhyDoFarmersProtest’.NothingIwriteonnaturalfarmingapproachesandmethodsinthisessayisrevolutionaryororiginal;IonlydocumentwhatIhavelearntfromthepeasantswhoworkwithme,othernaturalfarmers,fromnaturalsystemsdiscoveredbyreadingthepioneersofnaturalfarming,andfrommyshortfiveyearsofexperiencesandmistakes.Gershuny&Smilliestate“Thereareasmanydifferentconceptsoffarmingastherearefarmers”–thesearegivenmultiplenames:Jaivic,organic,RishiKheti,permaculture,sustainable,biological,andagro-ecology.Theseallincludeawiderangeofsimilarmethodsthatenablehumansengagewithnaturetogrowfoodinamindful,ecologicallysustainablemanner.‘Ecological’isusedhereinitsbroadestsense,includingwithinitsfoldtheentirescopeofinterrelationships-political,economicalandsocial-ofalllivingthingswiththeenvironment.AllthepackagesofnaturalpracticesImentionherearewelldocumentedandarebeingpracticedbymillionsoffarmersacrosstheworld,includinginIndia.Ihopemyexperiencescanserveasahelpfulguidetoothersexperimentingorstrugglingwithnaturalfarmingmethodsinasimilarecology,forwhichnecessarilyaHindiessaywillbemadeavailable.Atthemechanicaloroperationallevel,thereisnoendofthechallengesofnatureintraditionalorganicorindeedincontemporaryconventionalchemicalfarming.Natureisalwaysunpredictablewithwater,wind,sun,croppests,weeds;theworkisphysicallydemandingandlonely;farmingisnotremunerativeforanyofthehundredsofmillionsofsmall-holdingfarmersacrossournationwholivealifeofsubsistence;themarketsfailandsodoesthegovernmentinsupportingthefarmerwhenheneedsitthemost;andinputsareincreasinglyexpensiveinchemicalandfossil-fuelbasedfarming.Everyplayeracrosstheinputchain–seed,fertiliser,pesticide,machinery,trader–makesmoney,andtheconsumerpushesdownthepriceoffoodbyhiscloutinthesystem.Onlythefarmerloses.RuralHeritageMypeasantancestorswerehardyfarmersinwhatwasonceundividedPunjabandtodayisHaryanabeforemigratingtoBulandshahr&MeerutdistrictsinUttarPradeshoverthepastfewcenturiesaspressureonlandincreased.Theywerethesaltoftheearth–mostlysmallormarginaltenantsbeforetheabolitionofZamindaripost-independenceintheearly1950s.


Evenafterthattheyremainedsmallfarmers,onlyafewowninglandmorethan5acres.(Sincethen,farmshavefragmentedwitheachgenerationandfarmsinIndiaareonaverageslightlymorethan1acre).Allofthemwere‘organic-by-default’peasantstillthelate1960s,andthelong-establishedwaysoftheirancestorsenabledthemretainthefertilityoftheirlandovermillenniaofintensivefarming.Afterthechemical-ledGreenRevolutioninthe1970sthatacceleratedoverthecomingdecadestheybecameslavestothe‘market’,losttheirorganicconnecttothelandandhavebecomeaddictstochemicalpoisonsfromdistantfactories.Thelocalcycleofenvironmentalsustainability–ofgrowthanddecay,asAlbertHowardremindsus-wasbrokenandfertiliser,pesticides,seeds,electricityandtractorsweresuppliedtothemasresourcestoexploitthelandforproduction;andthefarmbecamejustanotherfactory.Ispentmultiplelongannualvacationsinmyfather’sancestralvillagejust100kilometersfromDelhi,thoughlightyearsawayfromurbanIndia,tillIstartedtorebelinmyteensonleavingfriendsandcitycomfortsbehind.Mycountrycousinsremainfarmerstoday,thoughsadlytheynolongerfollowthesustainablewaysofourpeasantancestors.IgainedsomuchfromKartariDevi,myfarmergrandmother(herhusbanddiedat50,leavingher5acresandlittleelse)apowerfulworkethicofincessantworkfromdawntodusk,adesiretofighttheodds,anindependenceofspirit,andcompassionfortheunderprivileged.MyfatherDr.JaiPalSinghwasanacademicallybrilliantmanwhomigratedfromthevillagetobecomeagovernmentsurgeoninDelhi.VillagersfromscoresofmilesaroundDelhiflockedtohimknowingtheynowhadoneoftheirownintheunwelcomingcity.Heneverletthemdown;theywerealwaysprovidedpriorityinhishospitalsineverywayhecouldprovideit.Whenhedidbrieflypracticeprivatelyafterhisretirement,heoperatedforfreeonvillagers.Wehadaconstantstreamofvillagerelativesandcommunity(ofallcastes)needingmedicalassistance,heundertookthemarriageofmanyruralcousins,andingeneralwasthepillarofstrengthinthatfamily.Hence,therough-hewnpeasant,inhiswhitesimpleKhadi(handspunandhand-woven)clothes,withhiscolloquiallanguageandlaconicsenseofhumor,isdiffusedsympatheticallyinmyimagination.Apeasantwasalwaysfamily,aherowhostoicallybattledtheelementstofeedtheworldwithlittlereturnsforhimself,andnotanunshaven‘ganwar’(villagebuffoon)asmycityfriendsgenerallybelieved.MymaternalgrandfatherwasCharanSingh,thepre-eminentpeasantleaderandruralintellectualofindependentIndia,andthedeepimprintofhissimplicity,exemplarypersonalcharacter,personalityandthoughtswillneedaseparateessay.Iwas25whenhepassed,andIhadspentthelastdecadeofhislifespentinDelhibaskinginhisvast,lovingandmotivatingpresence.HeinfluencesmeatanotherlevelnowasIcomprehendandprotectforposterityhisvastintellectualheritage(over10books,andnumerousotherwritingsforexample)ontheimbalancebetweenruralandurbanIndia,ofthemeaningandmethodsofIndiandevelopment,hisprescriptionofagriculturefirstandlastinIndia,handloom-handicraftsandothervillageandsmallindustryasthesolutionforrurallivelihoods,andappropriatelargeindustryandtechnology(inthatsequence)asasustainableandequitablepathforIndia’smasses.Hewantedpeopletomoveoffagricultureassoonassocietycouldaffordthis,buttheyhadtohavesomethingproductivetodowhiletheywereinthevillage(henceagricultureforthepeasantsandnon-farmemploymentforthelandless)andsomethingtodowhentheyreachedthecity(hepredictedIndiawouldalwayshavelargenumbersinthevillageastherejustweren’tenoughurbanjobsforourmultitudes).Hestoodforsmallpeasants,organicfarmingmethods,smallirrigationprojects,smallindustry;greenbeforehistime.Thisconnectwithrurallifeinmyyoungeryears,andmyinvolvementwithpoliticalthinkingasawayoflife,establishedalife-longintellectualengagementwiththecentralideaofwidespreadinequalityandtherural-urbanconflict.WhileIholdavisceralandemotional


connecttothesounds,smellsandthelanguageofthevillage,IrealisedearlyoninmyyouththatthevillagewasadenofinequalityandexploitationthroughthemultipleuniquelyIndiandivisiveandcontrollingforcesofcaste,patriarchyandreligion.ItranscendedthedeepdivideofreligionformyselfwhenImarriedaMuslimgirlin1985,throughwhommymindwasopenedtotranscendingtheinsidious‘singlestory’oftheMuslimasaMuslim.IwasslowlyabletoconstructmyownstoriesofthemanyidentitiesthatMuslimsinhabit,andnothingIseetheretodayconvincesmeanyreligionincludingofcourseIslamhasthebettersolution.InIndiathough,wehavetoengagewithreligionifonlytoknowhowtodealwithit.Thefutilityoftheideologyofreligion,andtheiruniquerituals,gods,prophets,superstitionsisyetanotheressay.WhenIdecidedtobreakdecisivelyfromcorporatelifeintheinformationtechnologyindustryin2011–Iwas51-farmingwasanaturaldestination.Ithoughtfarmingwouldbeoccupying,keepmeinnaturalandhealthysurroundingsandIwouldgrowcleanfoodforthefamily.Thesewereallrelativelysimpleexpectations,andallcametrue.Butnothingcouldhavepreparedmeforthecompletechangeinworldviewthatthisreconnectwiththewaysofmyancestorshaswrought.

“Therehasalwaysbeenlackofequilibrium,ratherasortofantagonismbetweencitiesandthecountryside.Thisisparticularlysoinourlandwherethegulfofinequalitybetweenthecapitalistclassandtheworking-classpalesintoinsignificancebeforethatwhichexistsbetweenthepeasantfarmerinourvillageandthemiddle-classtowndweller.Indiaisreallytwoworlds-ruralandurban.Therelationshipbetweenthecountrysideandthecitiesis,therefore,avitalproblemtous.”

CharanSingh,India’sEconomicNightmare.1984


NaturalFarmingatAmanBaghPartII:2012-2014

Ihadtoabsorbgenerationsofknowledgewhileonthejob,inadditiontorevivingforgottentraditionalpracticeslostto‘lazy’chemicalfarming,foranaturalfarmtostarttotakeshapeonthesandy,degraded,loworganicmatterlandintheMangarvalley.This‘Bhur’(sandy)soilwasquiteunlikethealluvial,siltsoilofmyvillageinBulandshahrnexttotheGanges.

AmanBagh,June2012.

AmanBaghisinthehot&aridsouth-westregionofHaryana,receiving300-500mmrainayear;80%ofthis in the months of July and August. Strong NW winds blow in May, when the sun can take thetemperature in thesoil to50degreesCentigrade.Oursoil is ‘coarsesand’,very low(<0.2%) inorganicmatter.WearelocatedintheMangarvalleywherethesurroundingAravallihillrangeradiatesheatinthesummerandtrapscoldinthewintertherebycreatingachallengingmicroclimateformostoftheyear.Weexperienceextremetemperatures,fromalowof5degreesCinJanuaryto47degreesCinMay,andhighhumidityinthe3monsoonmonths.Haryana is an ‘intensively cultivated’ state, and only 3.5% of our state’s land is forests - mostlyunregulated, and degraded land planted with the invasive Prosopis Juliflora. There has been adrasticreduction in area under coarse cereals and lentils since 1950, and farmers grow rice, wheat, fruits &vegetables, cotton, sugarcane.Haryana applies the secondhighest amount of fertilisers&pesticides inIndiaafterPunjab.53%ofstateusesgroundwaterirrigation,a limitedresourcethatreduceseachyear.Haryanaexhibitsalltheillsofmarketandindustrialagricultureaswellasunregulatedurbanisation:air,water,andsoilpollution.


ThePeopleChallengeFindingtherightpeopletorunthefarmwasafoundationaldecision,Ilearntthislessoninthecorporateworldwhereour5,000-strongglobalsoftwareservicescompanyranonlyaswellasthecharacterandabilitiesoftheleadershipatmultiplelevels.Iwasinanalienvillage,anoutsidertotheecosystemalreadyhostileandsuspiciousoftheurbaninvestorsinceDelhi’sgrowthoverflowedintoHaryanaintheearly2000s.Ialsoknewthatthepeasantisatransformedmanwhenheworkshisownland,andisamuchlazieroneworkingonsomeoneelse’s.IneededtofindmenandwomenwithastrongworkandmoralethicwhoIcouldconvince,throughgoodwages,caringandcompassion,totreatAmanBaghastheirown.Ineededtogetluckyhere,andIdid.IwasabletocallupontwoyoungpeasantsfromBiharpossessingarudimentaryunderstandingoffarming,andsoonfivepeasantsfromnearbyvillageswhoworkedascasuallaborcleaningupthelandinthefirstfewweeksinMay2012.IquicklyrealizedthelocalspossessedethicsandknowledgeclosertowhatIthoughtwereideal.Sevenweretoomanyhandsforourlimitedland,butIhadnoideathenwhatitwouldtaketosow,till,irrigateandharvest,lookafterthecattleandalltheotherfarmwork;Itookrefugeinnumbers.ThetwoBiharimen,byserendipity,couldnothandletheseparationfromtheirfamiliesandleftthatyearitselfafterservingtheirusefulpioneeringpurpose.Weretainouroriginalfivelocalpeasants,andhavesincebuiltacamaraderiebasedonmutualinterestsandrespect.FourofthemarefromDhauj,amajorityMuslimvillageclosetoMangar,andsharewiththelocallydominantHinduGujjarpeasants’thelanguageandallaspectsofanagrarianwayoflife.Theyhavelittleincommonwiththeirurbanco-religionists,butpreacherslivetoextractacommonalityofideology.Rajan,ourcookwithmagicinherhands,isalandlessDalitfromtheChamar(oncetheleatherskinning)community.Sheworksashardasanyofthemen,allsevendaysoftheweek.Theygettimeoffwhentheyneed,andI’verealisedtheyenjoythedisciplineofworkandwouldratherbeherethanathomeorelsewhere.

TheAmanBaghFive,2013.


Thereisapowerfullocalizationlessoninthis:allthe5arelocalmarginalorlandlesspeasants,theyunderstandthelocalcroppingpatterns,theweather,theseeds,thesoil,thecattle,thefood;andtheyareembeddedinalocal,communitynetworkthatisimmenselyhelpfulinallkindsofsituations.AbdulSattar,thesupervisor,isawalkingencyclopediaoflocalfarmingandecologicalknowledgeandhasbeenmyteacherinthewaysoftraditionalfarming.Itisatragedyofcontemporarycivilizationthatapeasantcanbelabeledunskilledanduneducatedsimplybecausehehasn’tstudiedintheformalschoolsystem.Inhisenvironment,heisoneofthemostintelligentandcertainlythemostknowledgeablemanIhavecomeacross:ifhehadnotbeenwithAmanBagh,myjourneywouldhavebeenextremelypainfulandindeedwouldlikelynothavetakenthepositivepaththatithas.MyMaster’sdegreeinbusinessandthreedecadesofcorporateworkexperiencewasofnouseinfrontofthegenerationsofknowledgeheisabletoapply:Iamtheunskilledone,andhavenohesitationinacceptingthis.Shouldeducationandliteracybeseparatedfromexperientialandtraditionaloralformsoftransmittinginter-generationalknowledge?ChildreninthevillageschoolaretaughtEnglish,Hindi,math,science–andnothingaboutagricultureorthepastoralwayoflife,theprimarywayoftheirpeopleformanygenerations.Theygrowupbelievingthebreakbetweenwhattheylearnatschoolandliveathomeisbecauseofthesuperiorityofclassroomlearningfrombookswrittenbyurbanideologues.Thestrippingoftheruralofhisself-respectisobvious;assomeonesaid“ifwestartthestorywiththecityastheultimaterestingplace,thenthevillageistheplacetoflee”.Indiamustfindawaytoreconcilethetwo,tounderstandthevillagewayoflifeasitwasandintegrateitwithwhat‘couldbe’.Modernitycomesatsuchafrighteningpace,though,thatwe’velosttheplotevenbeforewecomprehendwhereweare.PeasantsinIndiaareconservativeandgenerallyslowtochange.Theyareriskaverseduetotheirlifeofsubsistence,theyknowlifeinnatureisunpredictableandalwaysbalancedonathinknife-edge,andimplementinganythingunprovencanpossiblybringtheirbrittleworldcrashingdown.Sattartoowasslowandcautious,skeptical,andopposedrevivingtheoldwaysofhisgrandfatherasheclungtothesecurityofchemicalfarming.ThisneededinitialfirmnessonthekeyboundaryconditionoffarmingatAmanBagh:nochemicals,nomatterwhattheurgency.Therealworkcouldbeginonlyoncethisbecameestablished,whichtookyears.Imustconfesstherearetimeswherehesecretlyhopeswecouldusesomepesticide,someurea.Manure,IrrigationandSeedsThetwokeyoperationalissuesIgrappledwithfirstwereorganicfertilizationofthesandy,low-carbonsoilandtheneedforresponsibleirrigation.Cattleweretheessentialsolutionfornaturalfarming,importantfortheirdungratherthantheirmilkasanagriculturistscientistfromPUSAinDelhisharedwithme;perhapstheonlygoodthingthatcameoutofthatbureaucraticsymbolofaclosedscientificmind.Indiantraditionsintegratedcattleandfarminginamannerunprecedentedinworldagriculture,andthisisoneofthesecretsofthefertilityofoursoil.Thiscameasastartlingrevelation,andIstartedtounderstandthereverencethecowhasintheeyesofthevillager:itsdungformedthefoundationofsoilfertilityovermillenniaofintensivefarming,itsmilkthebasisoffamilynutrition,andbullockstheonlysourceofenergytillthe1960s.Forirrigation,wesunkabore-wellto100feet(sweetwaterwasstruckat50feet)andinvestedinacomprehensivedripandsprinklersystemthatgridstheentirefarmtominimisebothwateruseandirrigationeffort.LittledidIrealisein2012thatundergroundaquiferwaterisalimitedresourceunderseverestressasweextractmorethanweputback.Thisis


especiallytrueforAmanBaghwhereaoncelarge,naturalperennialpondthatabutsourlandisnowadrybedandencroachedagriculturalland.Itcanberevived,Iamsure,buttheenergyrequiredwillbeenormous.Whoknows,oneday.Istartedtounderstandseedsin2013:thedifferencesbetweenopenpollinated(orheirloom),hybridandGMO;andtheneedtosavemyownseedsaspartofsustainability(‘SeedSwarajya’)andcontrollinginputcosts.Thetraditionalvillagesystemofexchangingseedswithneighboringfarmersisnon-existenttoday,andIhadtoseekoutdesi(local)seedsfromothersthatIcouldsaveandre-use.Forexample,IboughtindigenoustallwheatvarietyMP306fromthewonderfulseed-savingNGONavdanya,andweusetheseasseedstilldate.Sattarbuysopen-pollinatedseedsthatareyetavailableatthevillageseedstoreforcommoncropslikemustard,millet,sorghum,oats,cloverandmanyvegetables.Localseedsaregeneticallysuitedtooursoil,moistureandecology;theyoftenthrivewhenseedsfromoutsidefail.Weimplementedthecycleoftraditionalcroppingonalltheland:ploughing,sowing,watering,de-weedingandreaping;andagain.Thiswasn’tstressfulonmymenandwoman,astheyknewthislifeanditgavethemplentyofdowntimebetweencycles–whyweseefarmersloungingaroundinthevillage.Iknewnothingaboutgrowingfoodwithoutploughing.BullocksForthefirstyear,weusedahiredtractor(thoughwewereadvisedasmalltractorwasanabsolutenecessity),inthenextyearwehiredasetofbullockswithapeasanthali(plough-man)fromDhaujvillage(hehassinceretiredhimselfandsoldhisbullocks),andin2013wepurchasedourownpairofbreedbullocksfortheprincelysumofrupees14,000fromtheneighboringvillageofBandhwari.Momiwasappointedourresidentexperthali,andheisabsolutelybrilliantashenavigatesthemwithexpertiseandease.DalsherandShamsher,ourbullocks,costusafractionofatractor,liveoffthehayandgreen-feedfromourland,giveusvaluabledungthatweuseasmanure,haven’toncefallensick,andretainemploymentwithinthecommunity.Thetractorisexpensive,replaceslabourinacountrywhosebiggestproblemiscreatingemploymentfortheruralpoor,usesexpensiveimporteddieselandallthatentails,voidspollutingdieselfumes,costsanenormousamounttomaintain,andmakesMahindra&Mahindraricher.ForIndiansmallfarms,80%ofallfarminghouseholds,sharedbullockservicessupportedbygovernmentloanswouldbeanidealsolutionifweweren’tblinkeredbytheideologyofmodernity.


Dalsher

Iknewnothingyetoftheviolenceploughingdoestothesoil(especiallydeeptractorploughing,withallitsfancyironattachments)inIndia’saridortropicalenvironments:thebreakingofthesoilstructure,thecompactingofsoil,exposureofsoiltotheelementswherepreciouscarbonescapestotheatmosphereasCO2,andthelossofmoisture.“NoTill”farming,aspracticedbytheJapanesesage-farmerMasanobuFukuokawasyetinthewombofthefuture.Ihadreadhis‘OneStrawRevolution’inmyyouth,withoutunderstandingitonebit;Iwentthroughitagain.Howcouldonegrowfoodwithouttilling,itwasunthinkable.Actually,whatIhadtodowasredefinefoodandnutritioninmyheadasfruitsandharvestsfromperennialtreesandnotjustannualcerealsandlentil,butthatthinkingwasadistanceaway.Ihadnowtolearnhowtogrowarangeoffood.WhileSattarunderstoodthelifecycleofcereals,oilseeds,cattlefodderandotherlocalcropslikeTil(Sesame),Guar(ClusterBeans)andSunn(SunnHemp)extremelywellbuthehadonlyafaintideahowtogrowfruitsandvegetables.Wehadtolearnthroughdoing,painfulasitwas,butourmistakestaughtuseachseason.Italsotaughtmepatience,asthelearningfromthecurrentseasoninonefruitorchardcouldonlybeimplementedafter12months.Iresearchedwhichtreeswoulddowellinourecology,withleastwater,andcitrus,guavaandmangowerethechoicesthatstandvalidatedtoday.Fourgroveswereplantedwithfruitsaplingsinthemonsoonsof2012and2013,eachthenamonocultureofonekindoffruittree,andplantingsaplingswasanartwelearntandgotbetterateachyear.Wecontinuedtoploughtheorchardsandplantinter-cropsofonekindoranother,mainlylow-riselentilsthatdidn’tinterferewiththefruitsaplingsandindeedhelpedbyaddingnitrogentothefruitorchardsoil.Fruittreesneedcaringforthefirst3-4yearsoftheirlife,andthendependingonwhichvariety,thetreelastsfrom15to50years.Besidesbeingastablesourceofproduce,fruittreesareperennialandeliminatethephysicallydemandingcycleofploughing-sowing-harvesting.Fruitreplacingcerealasfoodisanovel


conceptwithoutmuchtractioninsociety,butatafarmreplacingcerealswithfruitsdoesawaywiththerepetitivecycleofdrudgeryforthepeasant.Weweremovingtowardsaviamedia,onethatallowedustodoboth.CattleAnotherkeyexpertiserequiredwascattle,ofwhichIknewnothing.Sattarandtheothersontheotherhandwerewellversedincattlerearing,andeachofthemhasabuffaloormorefornutritionathomeandforsellingmilkforadditionalincome.Fewkeptcowsin2012,astheygivelessmilkwithalowerfatcontent,andtodaythecowisonthewaytoextinctionduetotheextremerulesfortheprotectionofallcattlefromslaughter.Ifadomesticatedanimaloutlivesitseconomicutility,itwillgoextinctnomatterwhatorganizedreligionsays.Wehadtobuythem,andwewenttothecattlemarketsofMuzaffarnagarandKarnal,atatimewhengaurakshaks(religiousgoons)didnotpatroltheroads.Ihadaproductionmindsetofkeeping‘high-yielding’Sahiwalcows(fromSahiwaldistrict,nowinPakistanPunjab)thatpromise12-15kgofmilk.Iknewvaguelythatthemixedbreeds–IndianbreedsfatheredbyJerseyandFriesianbullsfromEurope-wouldnotbeabletohandleourecology,butlittledidIknowthatthecowsweboughtasSahiwalfromcattlefairswereactuallysignificantlymixedbreeds.WewerestumpedforpureSahiwalsemen,andwereforcedtodependonartificialinseminationthatsimplydidn’twork.Itcostrupees500eachtimewhetheritworkedornot,therewasnoguaranteethatthesemenwasactuallySahiwal(oneoftheoffspringlookedquitelikeabuffalo):thegovernmentcompoundermademoneyforsure.WeevenrearedaSahiwalbullfor3years,butthiswastoomuchtoolateasandwelosttwoofourthreegentleSahiwalcowswithintheyeartounknowndiseasesbeforehecameofage.Thathurtterribly,andweultimatelygavehimawaytoo.Itwasanexpensiveexperiment.Ilearntthatlocal,hardyHarianacattle-withgenesthatprotectthemfromtheheat,cold,windsanddiseasesofourarea-fromwithinafewmilesofAmanBaghprovidethebestlife-cycleinvestment.Indianfarmershavelearntthislesson:themixedbreedcowsmaygivemoremilk(Europeancowsgiveupwardsof30kgadayversus2-15kgfromIndianbreeds)buttheirprogenyaresopoorlyadaptedtoourhotandhumidenvironmentthattheyeitherdieorliveonantibiotics.InsteadofimprovingourownbreedsusinglocalbullsandEuropeanandAmericanscientificmethods,somedolttooktheeasywayoutandimportedpure-bredJerseyandFriesianbullsfromcold,temperatelandstomatewithIndiancows-andforeverkilledtheIndianbreedanditspossiblerevival.IalsolearntthatthelocalgovernmentveterinaryextensionservicesarequiteuselessinHaryana:thegovernmentdoctorisnevertobeseen,andthegovernmentcompoundergoeshometohomeinthevillagemakingmoneyforhimselfbythethoughtlessadministrationofantibioticsandotherpowerfulallopathicmedicinesofwhichhehaslittleknowledge.Ifonlytheyweretaughtafirstlineofdefenseoftimetestedlocal,herbalremedies;thenhomeopathicandfinallyallopathicasthelastlineofdefenseinextremeorlife-threateningconditions.Butthissuccessionofmedicationdoesn’tworkforhumanhealthinIndiawithourlongtraditionalofherbalandnaturalmedicine,whatarecattle.AmanBaghhasmoved,overtheseyears,toanequilibriumofthreedesicowsandourpairofbullocksthatcanbesustainedbythegreenfodderandhayoffaportionofourland,andallofthesearetheHarianabreedthatgiveslessmilk(5-6kgadayinmilkingperiod)butrarelyfallsickanddon’tneedthevisitsofthemoneymakingcompounder.Insteadoffocusingonhigh-input,high-yieldrevenue,wemovedtolow-input,low-maintenance.Localwonyetagain.ThankstoSagariRamdas,aveterinarydoctorinfarawayAndhraPradeshwithabigheartand


evendeeperknowledgewhohelpedusnumeroustimes,andherbookontreatingcattlewelearntthatbalancednutritionwascrucialtocattlehealth(asindeedforthesoilandforourselves),andwelearntherbalmedicalsolutions(feedingallthecattleneemleaveseveryFriday,neemjuicetothenewbornasde-wormer)aswellascattlehomeopathy,andtheyhaverespondedbynotfallingsick.GobarGasManuringwassupercritical,andwhilewespreadthedungfromourowncattlefirst,butitwasinadequatequantitytobuildthefertilityofourdry,sandysoil.Everyfamilyinthevillagesaroundhavemanyheadsofcattleandbuffalo,primarilyasthecattlerearingGujjarandMeocommunitiesaredominant,andIthoughtitwouldbeaonceinawhileoperationtotruckindungfromthevillagerswhohadmorethantheyneeded.Notsurprisingly,Ineedtobuyandapplydungtwiceayear.In2013weobtainedtheserviceofanoldhandatmaking“BioGas”plants,RameshSaxena.This10-cubic-meterfloatingirontank‘GobarGas’plantworksflawlesslytilltoday,givingusmethanegastocookfood,andslurrythatisinstantlyusableasmanureasharmfulbacteriahavediedintheanaerobicheatofthebiogastank.

Ireadinonethoughtfulessaythathealthysoilgavebirthtohealthyplantsandtrees,andthusnodiseaseswouldstrikehealthyplantsifthesoilwerefullofnutrients;quitelikehumanseatingabalanced,healthy,vegetariandiet.Thiswasusefulbookknowledge,butIdidn’treallyknowhowtobuildsoilhealthaswellasIknewtobuildmine.NeitherdidIknowoursandysoilwassodenudedoforganicmatterthatitgavelittlenutritiontotheplanttowithstandpestattacks.Ontestingthesoilmuchlaterin2016,whentestingatgovernmentlaboratorieswasmadefree,Isawtomyhorrorthatoursoilorganicmatterwasapitiable0.2%.Thegoldstandardintemperateecologiesis5-10%organicmatter,whiletropicalandaridsoilsareintherangeof1-2%-oursoilorganicmatterwasreallynotthatoutofwhack.ButIwasnolongersurprisedthatourplantswerenotashealthy,itwasclearthatthesoildidnotsupport


themadequatelywithnutrition.Ihadtomakethemanuringofthelandasanongoingproject,aftereachcrop.Thiswasdonewithrenewedvigor,butfrom2016.Neitherwasthereadiversityofplantssuchthatnaturalpredators,liketheladybird,wouldbetheretopreyonpests.Ourless-till,bio-diverseplantenvironmentwasyetafewyearsaway.Instead,wemadeourownorganicpestrepellants(fermentedgarlic,chili,cowurineetc.)andmicro-bioticsoilamendments(fermenteddung,urine,lentilpowderetc.)learntfromorganicfarmersfromSouthandWestIndia.Weappliedthesemechanically,andIgraduallyrealisedtherewasnobenefittoapplyingteemingmicroorganismsonbaresoilasthehotsunat40plusdegreesCelsiuskillsthesemicrobesimmediately.Thesoilneedstobecoveredfirstwithprotectionforthemicrobes-alayerofbiomasstoallowthemicrobesandotherfloraandfaunatoworkoneatingthebiomassandfeedtherootsofthetreesandthecrops.Thisknowledge,too,wasadistanceaway.However,unprecedentedlearningwaspartofthefirstintense‘operational’phasethatlasted2years,tillmid-2014.Thedailytasksofsettingupthefarm,buildingacultureoftrustandaworkethicwithmymenandwoman,understandingtheecology,learningwhichcropsandtreesprosperedwereoccupying.Manyseedshadbeensowninmyfertilemindthatnowpossessedasuperficialunderstandingofthebasicelementsofconventionalorganicfarming.Intellectualchangedoesnothaveasequence,ithappenswhenthetimeisright.Thecumulativeimpactsofmyexperiencesandthefullweightofknowledgefromothersweresettlingin.Somechangewasinstantaneous,likearevelation,butthistoohadanincrementalgradualismthatbroughtaboutthechange.Ihadtoembracechange,forthatIneededanopenmindwillingtoacceptallpossibilities;speciallythehumilitythatwhatIknewcouldbeallwrong.


NaturalFarmingatAmanBaghPartIII:2014-2016

Ourintensivefarmoperationscontinued,alongsideagrowingunderstandingofstrategicissues.IstartedtounderstandthecoremessagefromAlbertHoward1andothernaturalfarmingpioneers:theforestisnature’sfarm.Noonewaterstheforest,noonemanuresorfertilisesit,nooneploughsitanditisyetsuchavibrantnaturalenvironmentformicroorganisms,animals,birdsandallkindofplantsandtreesthatco-existforthousandsofyearsinthatforestaslongasmandoesnotintervene.Whatdidnaturalfarmershavetolearnfromnature’sfarm?Thatploughing,irrigation,manuring,mono-cropping,andannualplantsareover-rated.Thattreesaretherealwondersofnature,andweshouldembracethemmorethanweusuallydoinagriculture.

“Agriculturalsciencehasbeenmisusedtomakethefarmer,notabetterproduceroffood,butamoreexpertbandit.Hehasbeentaughthowtoprofiteerattheexpenseofposterity–howtotransfercapitalintheshapeofsoilfertilityandthereservesofhislivestocktohisprofitandlossaccount.Inbusinesssuchpracticesendinbankruptcy;inagriculturalresearchtheyleadtotemporarysuccess.Allgoeswellaslongasthesoilcanbemadetoyieldacrop.Butsoilfertilitydoesnotlastforever;eventuallythelandiswornout;realfarmingdies.”Howard,Albert.AnAgriculturalTestament.1940

IheardElaineIngham,andAmericanmicrobiologistandsoilbiologyresearcher:“Buildthebiology”shesaid,“thechemistrywilltakecareofitself”.Istartedtoreaduponsoilbiology(fungi,bacteria,nematodes,arthropods,protozoa)andthesymbiosisofplantswiththeselivingorganismsintherootzonesthatprovidenutritiontoeachotherandfoodforhumans.Buildinglifeinthesoilmeanttheavailabilityoforganicmattertoprovideawelcominghomeandfoodforthisbiology.Itwasthatsimple.

1http://journeytoforever.org/farm_library/howard.html.


BuildingSoilHealthBuildingsoilhealththroughthecontinuousadditionoforganicmatterbecamemycorepreoccupation.Westartedtoaddcopiousamountsfrommultiplesources,makingsureitwaschemicalfree.In2016,forexample,weaddedperhaps100tonnesofdiversebiomasstofeedthesoil.Noneofthiswasvisibletothenakedeye,though,asthesoilswallowedalllikeitwasneverapplied.Irealisedtheenormousappetiteofthesoilduetothecycleofcontinuousoxidationofsoilcarboninourhotandaridecology,andthedepletionofnutrientsfromthesoiltakenupbycropsandfruittrees.Weapplied20tonnesofourowncattleFYMonthefruitorchardsandvegetableplots;purchased40tonnesofFYMtwiceayearforthetilledcropland;10tonnesofleavesandbranchesfromtreesgrowinginAmanBagh;lugged0.5tonneofleafwastefromGurgaonpublicparks;0.5tonneofvegetableandfruitwastefromorganicwholesalerIsayorganic,;5tonnesofsawdustfromthevillagecarpenterfordeepmulchinallfruittreebasinsonceayearafterthemonsoon,andcoveredtheentirefloorofallourfruitorchardswith5tonnesoflocalSarkandagrassfromthevillagecommonsinthewinter;themanytonnesoftherootsremnantsofharvestedcropsploughedintothesoilandlefttodecompose;andfinallythemanytonnesof‘greenmanure’crops.

Throughtheadditionofbiomass,manureandcompostwehavecommencedestablishingislandsofintensesoilnutritioninthebasinsofallourperennialfruittrees,mirroringtheprimevalforestfloorwhereleaves,treesandanimalremainsdecomposebytheactionofthemicrobesandformfoodforthetrees.Thetreebasinswillbeexpandedasthetreesgrow,and10yearsfromtodaywewouldhavebuiltextraordinaryfertilityinthesoilofallthe‘no-till’


fruitgroves.Oursandysoilwouldbecomeamarvelofnutrition,exhibitingattributesofalluvialloamysoil.Forourtilledandseasonallycroppedland,we‘greenmanure’annuallybyploughinginanutrition-rich,bio-diversecocktailofgrassesandlegumesintothesoilbeforetheyflower,whentheyaregrownto3-4feet.Thismeansploughinginthegreenmanurecrops45daysaftersowingand15daysbeforeplantingthemainfoodcrop,dependingonhowmuchfallowtimewehaveavailable.Thisnutrition–Nitrogen,alongwithmicro-nutrients-makesastunningdifferencetothegrowthofthemaincrop.The1,200litresofmicrobiology-richconcoctionJeevamrit(appliedalternativelyevery15daysinfruittreebasins,inthevegetablebeds,andinallcroppedland)nowhasaperennialsourceofbiomass,withoutthesunandwinddesiccatingthem.TheapplicationandmakingofJeevamrithasbecomeanoperationaldiscipline.Wenowfollowathumbruleofkeeping1animalperacreofland,thuswehaveaceilingofthreecows,theirprogenyandourtwobullocks–thesewillprovideme4tonnesofcattlemanureeachyear.Wecarefullyplantheacreagesownunderwheat,Bajra(pearlmillet)andJowar(sorghum)sowehavesufficienthayforthefullyear.ThisisinadditiontothegreenJowarfodderduringsummer,andthegreenfoddercocktailofBerseem(clover),Rijkaandmore.ThehayisstoredfortheyearinbongahutssustainablyconstructedwithdriedArhar(pigeonpea)stalks,Khatta(localmulberry)branchesandawaterproofroofoftightlywovendriedSarkandagrass(sachharumbengalense).Thebongaisbutoneexampleofsustainable,localcraftandingenuity.

Bonga:ahaystoragestructure

ConstructedfromdriedArhar(pigeonpea)stalks,Khatta(mulberry)branchesandawaterproofthatchroofofdriedSarkanda(grass)hayThinkVillageEconomy


Alearningthatreachedcriticalmassin2016wastothinklikearesource-starvedpeasantinapoorruraleconomy,whichautomaticallyimplieslowexternalinputandlow-costfarming.Tillnow,Ihadbeenthinkingliketheurbanmiddleclass,forwhom500rupeeswasasimportantas50rupeestothepeasantandnowondermycostswereoutofreachofthefarmsabilitytoearn.Ratherthanspinmywheelsonincreasingproductionthroughwaysthatwouldincreasepainfuloperationaleffort,Ifocusedonreducingexcessandwasteinexpenses.Ihaveunderstoodthatpovertyforcesenvironmentallypositivedecisions,andestablishesalive-with-lessattitude,asimplicitythatisworthemulating.Asforrevenue,itshouldcomeonmytermsornotatall.Iftheproduceisgood,peopleshouldbeattheirwaytomydoor.Myself-educationcontinuedapaceviaYouTubevideos2throughbooksandarticlesfromavarietyofglobalsourcesonorganicfarming;materialonnaturalfarminginIndianconditionsbyBhaskarSave,SubhashSharmaandSubhashPalekar;andmyfirststructuredengagementwithpermacultureinNovember2016throughAranyainHyderabad.Permacultureconcepts,whichhadbeenonlyofgreatinteresttillnow,becamearealitythroughexperimentation.

“Themaintenanceofthefertilityofthesoilisthefirstconditionofanypermanentsystemofagriculture.Intheordinaryprocessesofcropproductionfertilityissteadilylost:itscontinuousrestorationbymeansofmanuringandsoilmanagementisthereforeimperative.”

Albert,Howard.AnAgriculturalTestament.1940FruitTrees,SeedsWestartedtogetcomfortablewithfruittreemanuringandwateringrequirements,theircroppatterns,andmanagingfruitpestsspeciallythepeskyfruitflyattractedtoAmanBaghbythenearbyurbanwastelandfillofBandhwari.Allthetreeswerefruitinghappily–guava,Kinnow,citrus,mango–andwejusthadtoensuretheharvesting;aharbingerofyet-to-come‘do-little’farming.Forexample,weearned40,000rupeesfromaquarteracreoflandofKagziNimbu(lemons),farmorethananyothercashorfoodcropcouldgiveus.Wealsoplanted100lemonsand50Kinnowsaplingsalonganextremelysandysoilpatchof15feetwidealongtheperipheryofAmanBaghasasource‘do-little’farmingfrom2019,anda30-treemangoorchardinanother¾thacrethatwillbethefifth‘fruit-forest’withinAmanBaghtogotill-freeandmakeover50%ofourfarmfreefromtheplough.ThemangosaplingsofDasehri,LangdaandChausaaretwoyearsoldnow,doingwonderfullywellasIwriteinSeptember2017,purchasedinShahjahanpurKithoreinMeerutdistrictfrommastermangobreederHafizNafeesKhan.TheBeejBhandar(SeedBank)wasimplementedasaformalinitiativeinlate2016,aresponsibilitythathasbeenpushedontotheshouldersofaratherreluctantAbdulSattar.Heisnotastructuredthinker,andheyetkeepsseedsinallpartsofthefarmwhereIleastexpecttofindthem:gourdseedsintheirshellshangingonsomerandomtree,orinacornerofthedairy.Wehavestartedstoringseeds,carefullysundried,atonelocationdemarcatedbyseason,kind(fruit,vegetable,cereal,lentil,flowering),andclearlylabelledincleanglassbottles.Besideslocalseedsdoingwell,wehavealsoseenthatsaplingsgrownfromseedforperennialtreesatournurseryatAmanBaghdobetterthanthosebroughtfromacommercialnursery,andinfacttreesgrownfromseedsplanteddirectlyintheAmanBaghsoilareevenhealthier.

2ErnstGotschhttps://youtu.be/gSPNRu4ZPvE,manymoreongroforestryfarminginBrazil.Videochannelslikehttps://www.youtube.com/user/eOrganic/featuredandbookslike‘Gaia’sGarden’thebest-sellingbookonpermaculturehttp://tobyhemenway.com/book/gaias-garden/


WaterWestartedtoconserverainwaterin2016withadvicefrompublicationsfromtheCenterofScienceandEnvironmentinDelhi,andstartedtodirectwatercollectedinthemonsoonfromtheroof-toptoareversebore-welldrilledto70feetintotheundergroundaquifer.Welearnttobuildswalesalongthecontour,andbundstostoptherainwaterandenableitpercolateintothesoil.

Wehavealsoingrainedaculturalpracticeofwatering(mostlythroughourextensivedripandsprinklerirrigationsystem)onlyattwilight,andonlythroughthestateelectricitysystemneverthebackupgenerator.Wemeasuredthewaterreleasedintothesoilafter1hourand2hoursofuseofthedrip-and-sprinklersystem,andourirrigationexpertsSattarandNooruddinwereshownthedepthofthepercolationbydiggingintothesoil:theynowuseitwisely.Theyunderstandtheneedfor‘wetness’(nami),andwhyplantrootsdon’tneedtobedrenchedin2feetofwater.Awaterconservationmentalityisadifficultonetogivebirthto,butwhenyoustartthejourneyitgetsbettereveryyear.Akeywaterconservationstrategyistoplantecology-appropriatecrops,wethusdon’tplantmaize,sugarcane,orrice;andnoneoftheGreenRevolutionwaterguzzlerseedvarieties-says,Haryana711wheat.Weonlyusedesi(local)seeds,forexamplewheat,pearlmilletandsorghumwhichusemuchlesswatercomparedtoGreenRevolutionseeds.Fourfruitorchardsareno-till,withabiodiversityofperennialgrasses,otherplants,bushesandtreeswhichhaveestablishedcoolermicro-environmentsthatreducewaterevaporationandthefrequencyforwatering.Finally,fruittreebasinmulchingusingbiomassfromfloweringtreesandsawdustabsorbsandretainswaterformuchlongerperiodsandreducestheneedandfrequencyofirrigationbyhalf.PestsIfweplantthecropsattherighttime,andinsynchronicitywithotherfarms,thenpestsarespreadoutoveralargerlandareaanddon’tdamageourcropappreciably.Butwhenweplanttooearlyortoolate,whentherearenootherfieldsofthatcropforthemtofeedon,thenwefacethemusicasallthebirdsandinsectsinourvillageflocktothepicnic!Ourpestmanagementpolicyhas,ingeneral,movedfrompreventiveandscheduledsprayingwithfermentedorganicconcoctions(cattleurine,chili,garlic,neemleavesetc.)toreactive


sprayingonspecificvisualincidenceofpests.Thisorganicconcoctionissimplyarepellant,notadestroyerofinsectslikechemical-basedpesticidesare.Asoursoil(andthereforeourplants)growshealthier,weexpecttheincidenceofpestdamagewillreduce.Theenhancedplantbiodiversityshouldalsogiverisetoahappybalanceofpestsandpredators.IthinkIseethisalready.Insomeinstances,likethefruitflywhichisdevastatingtofruitsinthemonsoonmonthsandisunaffectedbyspraysofallkindsinallintensities,wewereforcedtophysicallybagtheindividualGuavaandKinnowfruitswithnettingbagsmadeathome.Itisalotoflabor,whichwehaveinabundanceatthattimeasthereisnosowingorharvestingwork,butworkswell.Andwhateverlittlepestsdoeat,weletthemafteralltheytoomusteat.RevenuesandExpensesTheendoftherainbowholdslittlecomfortforthesoul,asIcomprehendtheterriblesituationoftheruralpoor,landlessandsmallormarginalpeasantfamiliesalike.Indiais,afterall,averypoornationoutsidethemiddle-classworldtheEnglish-speakingeliteinhabitsinourcities.With17.5%oftheworld’spopulation,and2.5%ofitsland,thereis(atonelevel)nosolutionthatcangetusoutofournightmare.Therealityisthat67%ofIndianfarminghouseholds(of5)earnedlessthan20,000rupeesamonthin2016.Andwiththismoneytheycandolittlemorethansurviveatthemarginsofcivilization.Thesefamiliessomehowgetby,theirown-farmworkinterspersedwithpaidlabor(likethefivepeasantsatAmanBagh);withlargefamilieswhereeverybodywhocanmustearn.Whereisthemoneyforeducation,health,entertainment,marriageanddeath?Thisbrutalrealityofdailysurvivalforover800millionacrossIndiapeoplerunsthroughlikeashadowydocumentaryacrossmymindoften,especiallyasIreturnhomeeachdaytomycomfortableurbanlifeinGurgaon.Itisaconstantsurprisetoseecheerfulfacesofpeasants,strugglingastheyarewiththechallengesofdailysurvival.AmanBaghdoesnotearnanywherenearwhatwespend,andthatisnot(entirely)bydesign.Itisadequatelyclearthatrevenues(evenourmuchhigher’organic’pricerealization)fromonly6acrescannotenableusbreak-evenifwecontinuetofarmexperimentally(aswewillforquitesometime),seekingastablerevenuemodel;andemploy5people.Inasteadystate,maybein3years,whenthesoilhasbeenenrichedandthefruitorchardsarefullyonstreamforeasilymarketablefood,wecouldreducewagecoststo2fulltimepeopleandrecruit‘labor’seasonallyasthecyclerequires.Itispossible.However,Icannotbringmyselftoapplyonlyacost-basedapproachtopeoplewagestoday-theAmanBaghFivearepartofanintimatecommunitywehavebuiltsopainstakinglyoverfiveyears.Iknowtheirlives,theirfamilies,theirfears,theirpovertyandtheirstoicspirit.Icannot‘letthemgo’,becausetheplacetheywillgotowillbesignificantlyworse.Apeasantandhisfamilyof5couldpossiblymake10,000rupeesamonthfroma6-acrefarm–withoutreturninghimwagesforhislabor-ifallthetreeswerestrippedaway,ifcashcropswereplantedontheentire6acres,ifhelivedinaoneroomhutontheland,andatesparingly.Apeasant’slifeon6acrestodayisasdifficultasmineiseasy.Whatwehavedoneisstrippedallnon-wageexpensestotheminimum,andthatisalessonwelllearnt.Asmallfarmerwouldneverhavelethisexpensesgetaheadofhisrevenuesever,itwouldhavebeenimpossible.AmanBaghearns40%ofitsexpenses,upfrom20%2yearsago.Aswestripawayourexcesses,andbuildthesoil,thereishope.Butitisyetvery,verycomplex.AmanBaghwillhavetoaffordtorunasitis,andIleaveitatthatfornow.


5ExperientialPrinciplesofNaturalFarmingatAmanBaghfromAlbertHoward

1. Interdependenceofalllivingthings.Workwithnature,donottrytodominateit.Applytraditional

knowledgeandsciencetomaintaintheunityofgrowthanddecay.“Theforestmanuresitself”

2. Biodiversityofplant(perennialandannual)andanimallifeisrequiredforthesoilfoodwebtothrive.Nomonocultures.“Mixedcropsaretherule”

3. Self-sufficiency,withminimalexternalinputstothefarm.Nofood,seeds,fertilisers,pesticides,fossil

fuelsfromoutsidethefarm.“Cropsand….[domesticanimals]lookafterthemselves.”

4. Sustainability.Takeonlythatmuchoutofthesoilasoneputsbackin,makethelandandtheprocessesitviableforgenerations.“Thesoilisalwaysprotectedfromthedirectactionofthesun,rainandwind.”

5. Localknowledgeofsoil,crops,seeds,weather,cattleandthepeopleiskey


NaturalFarmingatAmanBagh:2017

2017enabledmemovebeyondfarmingoperations,astheAmanBaghsystemsworksmoothlyfortheexecutionofourestablishedbestpractices.Buildingthesoilhasbecomethefundamentalfarmstrategyanddefinesourpackageofpractices.Ourfarmoperationsareconstantlyworkingtoprotectandgrowthesoilbiologyinplantrootzones,andwenolongerworryaboutthechemistry(N,P,Kandmicronutrients)whichweareconfidentwillhappeninnaturalcourse.Scientistssaythereareenoughnutrientslockedinallsoilsforgenerations,thequestionistohaveenoughanimallifeintheretohelpreleasetheminaformthatisbio-availablefortheplants.IhavestartedtorecognizelifeasactivebelowthesoilasIseeitabove:theextensiverootstalkingtoeachother,themicroscopicbacteria,fungiandprotozoathatlifewithintheserootsinsymbiosis,themites,earthworms,termites,ants,ratsandmore.Anotherkeystrategyisbuildingplantbiodiversitythatfeedsdirectlyintomicrobeandplanthealth.Wehaveaddedbiodiversityineachfruitorchardbyadding100Papaya,200Moringa,50Sharifa(CustardApple),andasprinklingofChiku,Shahtoot(Mulberry),Phalsa(IndianCurrant),andhundredsofslipsofKhas(Vetiver)grassasgroundcoverinthefruitorchards.Onourcroppedland,weareintensifyingschemesformulti-cropping,croprotation,companioncropping,andgrowingbio-diverseperennialplantlifeweareseeinghealthierplantlife.Ourmulti-layeredfruitgroveshavetalltreesattheperipheryaswindbreaksandasbiomassformulching,wehaveplantedanextlevelofMoringathatwhengrownto20feetwillprotectthefruittreesbelowbyallowingthesuntofilterthroughtheirsmallleaveswhileitsfruitand


leavesproviderevenue;fruittreesofAmroodandKinnow;tallbushesofperennialArhar,interspersedwithPapaya;understoryofvetiver,Kans,lemongrass,herbs;andagroundcoverofdoobgrass.Nosoilisseeninmyorchardstoday,norainorwindorsuntodisturbthearmyofdifferentbattalionsfromtheanimalkingdomthateatthevegetationandfeedthesoilinthecycleoflife.Our‘No-Till’perennialfruitorchardsaretoday40%ofallourland,thesewillmoveto50%by2019asournew3/4thacremangoorchardcomesonstream:wewillfurtherreducetheintensivecycleoftill-sow-de-weed-harvestthatdisturbssoil,oxidisestied-inCarbon,andyokesthepeasanttohigh-intensitylabourandAmanBaghtolowrevenueannualcrops.Thebiodiversefruitgrovesareslowlyandvisiblyenablingthebuildingoforchardsoil;andasthefruitsarehigherpricedproducewearemovingtoaportfoliothegenerateshigherrevenuethroughouttheyear.Agroforestry(asystemcombiningagriculturalcropsandforestecosystems)withinAmanBaghisasourceofwaterconservation,providesuscoolerandgentlermicroenvironments,andvaluablebiomassformulching.Wenowallowflowering,evergreenandmedicinaltreestogrowalloverthefarmonmendsandbunds,theirseedscarriedandplantedbybirds,animalsandthewind.Wehavealsoembracedthepracticeofpollardingtrees(cuttingthemaintrunkat6-7feetfromground)asawaytogainmulch.Wecontinuetogrowmanymoreevergreenandfloweringtreessothatnobio-massneedstocomefromoutsidethefarm.ThePastintheFutureThechallengesthatremainaresubstantialandlong-term,thefirstbeinghowtobreakeven.Thesecondiswatersustainabilityinouraridland,whereIpumpoutmorewaterfromtheaquifersthenIputbackin.Andfinally,energysustainabilityperhapsbygoingoffthegrid.Theoutcomesaremany,andfewareanswers.AmanBaghstartedwithadesiretobeinthevillageandgrowlocalfoodformyselfandmyfamily.Thatismorethanachieved,andIcontinuetoevolveinmyunderstandingofpersonalhealththroughfoodasnutrition.IeatasifIwereruralwestUPin1959(theyearIwasborn)withthecriticalexceptionsofmilk-unthinkableformycountrycousins,indeedmostIndians.Themodernconsumereconomyofsupermarket,packagedplenty–overseasorIndian-simplydoesnotexistforme.Mydietismostly‘wholeplantfood’whilemeansexactlythat:noanimalproductsincludingmilkoritsextracts,(almost)nooils,nojuices,nosmoothies.Mymealscompriselocalcerealswheat,barley,oats,sorghumandmillets,arangeoflentils,somenuts,andaprofusionofvegetablesandfruits.Thiswasnotalwaysso,butitwasheadedinthisdirectionoverthedecadesandAmanBaghbroughtmeclosertothetruthofawholeplant,vegetariandiet.I’mnotatallsureifthisisrightforeveryone,butitworksformywell-being.WhathasbeencompletelyunexpectedisthedeepeningofanorganicunderstandingofruralnorthIndia,itspoverty,contradictions,challenges,andarealisationofopportunitiestocontributestuffingmyfingerinadike.Thisengagementwithrurallifebroughtmeanunderstandingoftraditionallivelihoodsinthevillages,theoncedominanthandloomsandhandicrafts,theirdecimationbythecolonialBritishandbyusbrownsahibswhoconstructtaxestotakeawayeventheirshrunkenpresent.Understandingthefarmandthevillage,IalsoseethatthestateofourenvironmentisdeeplyconnectedtolivelihoodsininverseratioaswefollowthedestructivewaysofRichnationconsumerismandthemarket.Iseelittlehopeina


nationwith17.5%oftheworld’spopulationand2.5%ofitsland,thecorporationandthemarketitsetsupevenmoreubiquitousandallpowerfulthaniteverwas,andthesinglestoryofurbanisationplayingoutasthefalseredemptionofmankind.ButIamyetdriventolookforandcreatealternativestories,suchthattheultimaterestingplaceofourcivilisationisnotinthecitybutinanotherkindofvillage.PerhapsAmanBaghhasabitofthatmagic.Overtheseyears,IhavebecomepartofacommunityofthemostunexpectedcompanionsunlikeanyIhaveknownmyentirelifeofanurban,Englisheducated,globallytravelled,arrogant,self-obsessedlout.MyearlylifeprovidedmeanidentificationwiththevillagerandmywifeRababprisedopenmyclosedmind;‘Insaniyat,NaJati,NaDharm’wasmyexpectationfromAmanBaghin2012.MyMuslimandDalitfellowtravellershavegivenmeglimpsesintoworldsthathaveopenedthatthirdeye.Yes,wecanco-exist,wecantransformandnolongerlookattheothertellingusa'singlestory'.Weweregivendenudedland,sandyandcompletelyopentothedeadlysun,windandrain;with100trees.Wehaveplanted1,400moretrees,andoursoilisprotectedandcoveredwithplantsofallkindsandsizes.Wehaveadded250tonnesoforganicmattertooursoil,morethanwehavetakenoutofit.Thisenabledusorganiccertificationforourprocesses,whichmattersbutnotthatmuch.Myanxietyofnotknowingenoughandmakingmistakeshasgreatlyreduced,notbecauseIknowmuchbutbecauseIseeAmanBagh’s‘greencarpet’moreinharmonywiththecycleofnature.Thereismuchtobedone,butIhavewitnessedanexplosionofinsect,birdandanimallifeofallkinds,proofhowourdiverseenvironmenthasbroughtanewrealitytotheland.Ididn’trealiseformaleducationwassoveryoverratedtillIenteredAmanBaghtolearnaboutnature’srhythm,andtilltodayIdon’tknowatenthasmuchasan‘illiterate’.Ihavecometoanewawarenessofenormoustraditionalknowledgeresidinginpeoplewithoutletters,undocumentedinanationthathasonlyanexperientialandoraltraditionofdocumentingpeoples’experiences.Howcananencyclopaedicknowledgeoflocalplantsandtheiruse,forexample,co-existwithilliteracy?Educationhasmeantthecity,andabreakingofthebondwithnature.Whilewecannotgivethepeasantandthelandlesspoorwhattheyneed,shouldwestriphimofhisself-respectbycallinghim‘illiterate’‘uneducated’andreducinghimtoalabourerconstructingtheroadsourcarscanspeedbyon?Howdivorcedcanmodernsubjectbasedclassroomeducationgetfromknowledgeandsustainablelivelihoods?Iseemanythousandsofwell-meaningpeople–consumers,farmers,activists-acrossIndiawhobelieveintheredemptivenatureoforganicfoodandorganicfarming,peopleworriedaboutchemicalpoisonsinallourfoods,andhowtheseareconnectedtothestateofourenvironment.Thisisanincreasingtribe,andaverywelcometrend.Ontheotherhand,thenew‘organicfood’segment(ofthe2%ofIndianhouseholdswhoearnmorethan50,000rupeesamonth)belongstothesamepowerfulmarketthatworkstodegradethelandandtheenvironmentbysellingusjetplanes,cars,two-wheelers,oilrefineries,tractors,pesticides,fertilisers,hybridandGMseeds,packagedfoodsthatthebetter-offclassesconsume.Therearepeopleinthecitieswhovieworganicfoodasapersonalhealthchoiceinaverylimitedsense:theywantthechemical-freefood,buttheydon’twanttorecognisethatourunsustainableconsumptivelifestylesareleadingtothesepoisonedfoodsinthefirstplace.CanwebehappywithorganiccookiesdeliveredtousbyAmazoninplasticbagswhenourairisnotbreathable,ourforestsarebeingdecimated,ourwildlifeisdowntoafractionofwhatit


wasjust25yearsback,ourcitiesareunliveable,andthevillagesoilpoisoned?Then,thereare60%ofIndia’speasantsandrurallabourwhofarmonrain-fedland,withoutaccesstoyear-roundirrigation,andtheyare‘organic-by-default’asindeedallourpeasantancestorswherein1960beforetheGreenRevolution.Theruralpoorcertainlygroworganicfood,buttheythemselvesliveonthefringesofsurvival.Finally,therearethe40%irrigatedlandfarmerswhohaveabetterlifethantheirrain-fedcousins–butthesearefullyinvestedinchemicalfarming,lifestylediseases,andtheaspirationalconsumeristlifestyle.Howdowereconcilethesefourverydifferentgroups?Questionsaroundcomplexandseeminglyunsolvableproblemsneedsimpleanswerstoletusslipoutfromundertheoverwhelmingweightofthepresent.Weshouldallworryabouttheseproblems,butwemustalsodo-forone,startgrowingourownfoodwithoutchemicals,orseekoutandactivelysupportthosewhodosolocally.Andwhenyouvisitafarm,whichyoureallymust,looklooklongandhardatthesun-beatenfaceoftheslimpeasantandrealiseheandhisancestorshavefedusforgenerations.Hemightverywellyetbeuneducatedinletters,buthecarriestheenormousweightofknowledgeofgrowingfoodforallofuswhosimplyconsumeit.Hedeservesyourrespect,yourcompassion,andyesyourmoney.


OperatingActions

OperatingActions

OperatingActions

TimeSpent

CerealsOilseedsLentilsCattle

TractortoBullocks

10%90%

2012-2014

2014-2016

2017

PestmanagementFruitorchardsFewercattleLesstill

Composting

FruitforestsAgroforestry

In-situmulchingGreenmanuring

Strategy

Strategy

Strategy ConventionalOrganicfarming

“ChemicalFree”

Organicfarming

“MirrortheForest”

Naturalfarming

“Buildthesoil”“Bio-diversity”“Low-input”

70% 30%

2017

2014-2016

2012-2014

MyTimeSpent

TransitionsinThinkingandActionatAmanBagh

2017-02-oct natural farming at aman bagh for web...oct 02, 2017 · natural farming at aman bagh:...

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