At Mother Earth Eco-Centre we are implementing the following arts of farming, according to Bhaskar Save. According to Bhaskar Save “There is on earth, a constant inter-play of six paribals (key factors) of Nature, interacting with sunlight [(fire) and in space (ether)].
The three [key elements (mahabhutas) are:
1. Soil (pritvi)
2. Water (jal)
3. Air (vayu)
The three orders of life are:
4. Plant Kingdom (vanaspati srushti)
5. Insects and Micro-organisms (jeev shrusti)
6. Animal Kingdom of which Man is a part (prani shrusti)
These six paribals maintain a dynamic balance. Together, they harmonise Nature’s grand symphony – mystic grace!”
(extract from the Vision of Natural Farming by Bharat Mansata)
Soil:
Each area is assessed for soil type. In our case, our soil was eroded once forest land. It has clay content that cracks in the dry season and also limestone creating an alkaline rich soil. The main techniques for creating an environment for growing are: adding river sand to breakdown clay; adding goat gobar and biomass mainly from tor, to provide nutrition to the soil. Adding mulch to protect the micro-organisms and worms in the earth in the baking heat and to retain moisture.
In addition we are adding some vermiculture.
We add amrut pani to encourage the micororgansims, an essential part of healthy soil.
Amrut pani (jal) and Amrut mitti from Nauteco City Farming Mumbai Blog. Amrut Pani forms part of Insects and Micor-organisms
See Urban Leaves, Mumbai City Farming Initiative
Promoting plant health and a living soil in organic, natural, sustainable agriculture, papers from the South Asia Conference on “Outstanding Organic Agriculture Techniques” organised by theOrganic Farming Association of India (OFAI) at Bangalore (2009)
Water:
Water catchments, rainwater harvesting, tree planting and leveling of ground increases water penetration into the earth, prevents run-off and erosion.
Bioremediation ensures clean water – Analog forestry and organic farming papers from the South Asia Conference on “Outstanding Organic Agriculture Techniques” organised by the Organic Farming Association of India (OFAI) at Bangalore (2009)
Air:
Air requirements within the soil. Compressive action on soil by walking/heavy machinery.
Air pollution minimisation by Agni Hotr (fire ritual for purifying the environment) technique for agriculture paper by Rit, a Saha Astitva volunteer
Plant Kingdom:
see also Conserving seeds (production, collection, storage) in organic, natural, sustainable agriculture – papers from the South Asia Conference on “Outstanding Organic Agriculture Techniques” organised by the Organic Farming Association of India (OFAI) at Bangalore (2009)
Schedule of Planting
Knowledge Base of requirements for Different Plants
Planting Methods: use of mantras, use of biorhythms
Insects and Micro-organisms:
Deep Ecology and Symbiotic relationship of Nature
Pest and disease management in organic, natural, sustainable agriculture, papers from the South Asia Conference on “Outstanding Organic Agriculture Techniques”organised by the Organic Farming Association of India (OFAI) at Bangalore (2009)
Animal Kingdom of Which Man is a part:
Cow – the heart of the farm, manure, urine, milk products.
biological control within food chain
Why organic farming:
Introduction to organic, natural, sustainable agriculture, papers from the South Asia Conference on “Outstanding Organic Agriculture Techniques” organised by the Organic Farming Association of India (OFAI) at Bangalore (2009)
Organic Farming and Climate Change, a paper by International Trade Centre UNCTAD/WTO and Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL)
