The Success Story of Natueco Farming
Deepak Suchde
MALPANI TRUST At. Bajwada, Post. Nemawar, Tel. Khategaon, Dist. Dewas 455339 M.P.India.
Phone: 9826054388, Email: [email protected]
WEBSITES: www.beyondorganicfarming ; www.amrutkrushi.com
Abstract:
In this paper the author presents the basic concepts of the most ecological farming way called “Natueco farming”. A comparative study between conventional/contemporary farming techniques and the Natueco farming technique is presented, in terms of farm productivity. The holistic meaning of “success” in farming is explained considering various social, economical and ethical value parameters related to farming. The paper highlights the benefits of Natueco farming in terms of harvesting maximum sun light and increasing a farm’s primary productivity for a high yield.
Keywords: Natueco, Bio Diversity, Biomass, Energy, Water, Primary Productivity, Prosperity
Introduction:
In this machine era, the standards of living are rising day by day. Due to a continuous growth in the population and due to rising standards of living, the “consumption” in a society is increasing multifold! Therefore the “need” and the “modernization” are following each other in a vicious circle! Such effects of “modernization” are evident in all the areas of life, including farming. Farming communities have been under pressure to meet the ever expanding needs of a modern society which is, also growing in population. Modern methods of farming across the world are relying increasingly on the use of chemicals, robust machines, “Mono crop” methods, genetically modified foods, “industrial farming”, soil less farming etc. While all such methods have delivered increased “gains” over the short run, they have created (and continue to create) irreversible damage and / or adverse effects on farm and human life itself for whose benefits these methods were innovated. A few examples of such adverse effects are: toxic food production, a severe loss of soil fertility, contamination of water resources, disturbances in the natural cycles and biodiversity of farms, dependence of farmers on commercial organizations for seeds, fertilizers, pesticides etc. These effects have surfaced after a considerably prolonged use of many farming innovations. All these effects have paralyzed a farmer and his farm today in more than one way.
Based on these growing concerns in “modern” agriculture, the agricultural institutes and methods are now shifting to more natural ways of farming.
Among all the methods of farming available today (traditional/conventional/contemporary etc), the only method which ensures holistic success (as mentioned in the following paragraphs) for a farmer, his farm and for the consumers of the produce is the ‘Natueco” farming method.
Natueco Method / Natueco culture
The word “Natueco” is born from a combination of two words: “Natural” and “Ecological”! The Natueco method of farming is, in fact, a culture of farming based on imitating and collaborating with Nature through critical scientific methods to strengthen the produce and the ecology of a farm. Natueco has been conceived as a holistic way to meet the needs of farming and food today. It addresses typical issues in farming like how to work in synergy with Nature without burdening it, how to reduce dependency on external inputs to a farm, how to work scientifically and within the local resources available in the surroundings of a farm, how to farm without harming its ecology and, at the same time, gaining the highest benefits from it etc. The features of Natueco culture distinguish it from “Natural Farming” and/or “Organic Farming”.
Natueco is a method “Beyond Organic”:
“In Natural or Organic farming, farming is done trusting Nature through the empirical wisdom of the ages. In Natueco Farming, on the other hand, farming is done by knowing Nature (more and more and better and better!) through critical scientific inquiries and experiments. It is an ever growing, novel, unique, participatory tryst between man and Nature! Natueco culture and Critical Scientific Agriculture became synonymous words. The major features of scientific farming were also the basic features of Natueco Culture!” Sri S.A.Dabholkar. (“Plenty for All” section 5.1)
When we talk about the success of a farming method, let us first understand what success means to a farmer? The parameters of a farmer’s success can be put forward as:
(a) Generating maximum farm output from minimum input;
(b) Harvesting maximum sun light per square foot area of earth;
(c) Self-reliance for resources within their local availability;
(d) Independence from external resources
(e) Minimum use of energy (per unit of produce) in farming;
(f) Creating abundance in the ecology of a farm throughout the farm’s life cycle;
(g) Working to become self sufficient in terms of knowledge, resources and approach;
(h) Working for the highest good of the farmer community;
(i) Enjoying the 5Ls of the farming occupation: Learning, Living, Livelihood, Love and Laughter; and
(j) Living a rich life with grace and dignity;
Such holistic success would be achieved by a farmer by performing his/her duties in the following order:
1. Protecting the delicate balance of Mother Earth and her environment;
2. Taking care of the wellbeing of his/her family;
3. Offering the harvest of his/her labor to the world; and
4. Creating a model farm which is self-sustainable in all the above aspects.
Success of Natueco in terms of Productivity of a farm:
The productivity of a farm (also called visible productivity) is a combined effect of ‘Primary Productivity’ and ‘Secondary Productivity’. It is measured as dry-mass per hectare. The Primary Productivity of a farm is the key factor in determining the quality of the visible productivity (yield). Soil with good primary productivity helps in harvesting optimum sunlight. This helps in efficient photosynthesis in a plant. Hence the plant gives better yield with quality nutrients available in the crop.
With these fundamental scientific requirements of a plant in focus, Natueco teaches us how to create our own soil which is called Amrut Mitti. Soil so created helps a farmer to do quality farming irrespective of the quality of the original soil naturally available in his farm. Thus Natueco Farming enhances the primary productivity of the soil and establishes a firm correlation with use of energy and water as a resource.
Natueco vis-à-vis conventional farming in terms of “farm productivity”:
With conventional methods of farming, our efforts have been to increase the ‘Visible Productivity’ of a farm. The “Green Revolution” was introduced as a consequence of this mindset. The fundamental approach of the Green Revolution was to enhance the visible productivity of a farm through its ‘Secondary Productivity’. This is apparently a sensible thing to do. However, over a long period of time, by considering the visible productivity of a farm as its only measure of success (and hence rigorously enhancing its secondary productivity), we neglected and gradually forgot about the farm’s primary productivity.
We derived a false sense of pride from the enhanced visible productivity of a farm without realizing the silent degradation of soil’s primary productivity! In the beginning, with conventional farming, ‘Visible Productivity’ can be easily increased by external inputs. However, over a long period of time, this impairs a farm’s ‘Primary Productivity’. We start seeing a gradual decline in ‘Visible Productivity’, even though external inputs remain the same or even increase.
Natueco Science focuses completely on enhancing the Primary Productivity of a farm. It concentrates on enriching the carbon value of soil, and also enhancing the quantum and diversity of varieties of microbial life found therein. In other words, it works to increase the output of dry mass per hectare per kiloliter of water consumed. In our initial understanding, working to increase the output of dry mass might appear to be very subtle factor in farming. However, this is an extremely important variable. Because the energy of the Sun can only be harvested optimally if the output of dry mass from a farm is maximized.
If land is harvested at its most optimal levels of ‘Primary Productivity’, it will give a maximum yield per hectare (for ever) with the least input cost! Thus such farming becomes financially viable. With an increase in the Primary Productivity of the farm, farmers’ dependence on external resources reduces gradually. It empowers the farmer to create a knowledge base and data base of experience on his own, and even create his/her own seed bank. Such farming, thus, becomes sustainable for a longer period of time. Today’s markets of the supplements for conventional farming, unfortunately do not offer anything to enhance the Primary Productivity of a farm.
Natueco Farming emphasizes `Neighborhood Resource Enrichment' by `Additive Regeneration' rather than through dependence on external and/or commercial inputs. It addresses the four main determinants of crop yield:
i) Soil- Creating soil with the best primary productivity, by recycling biomass and by establishing a proper energy chain;
ii) Roots-Focusing on the development and maintenance of feeder root zones of the plant for efficient absorption of the nutrients in the soil;
iii) Canopy-Focusing on harvesting sunlight by proper management and cultivation of the plant canopy for efficient photosynthesis; and
iv) Minimizing External Resources-Focusing on minimizing the use of external resources including water; and reducing dependency on the secondary productivity of the soil.
Natueco Farming maximizes farm output with a minimum input of energy. Its goal is to maximize organic carbon or biomass of the soil (factors of Primary productivity).
Certain points of focus in the Natueco are:
(a) The mother (Soil), and not on the child (Plant);
(b) Long term and strategic thinking, rather than short cut/short term actions;
(c) Developing holistic and positive values in farming as an occupation;
(d) Uniting the community of farmers;
(e) Self Sustenance & Self Learning;
(f) The creation of a localized ‘Prosumer’ Society (i.e. a closed society of producers and consumers); and
(g) Enriching Bio Diversity
Important components of a Natueco farm are the creation of Amrut Mitti, and a Knowledge/Data base; seed treatment; enhancing bio-diversity and live fencing.
Prosperity with Equity
Today, the sharing of equity in agriculture has reduced to the practice of few land owners giving their farm land on contract to farmers (for one or more seasons) and getting returns in the form of a certain percentage of the production.
The wealth and prosperity that abound in society today is the outcome of the progress of modern science. But till today, the benefits of the best of modern science have failed to reach to the last person. It is always essential to hand over the essence of science to people at the grass roots. With this self-earned knowledge, they can build their own techniracies (Technical Literacy) to create their desired “Plenty and Prosperity” within their local neighborhood. Their dependence on the Government and other institutions will reduce this way. Prosperity with Equity would gain its true meaning then.
Prof. Sripad Dabholkar, the founder of Natueco Science, had said that true Prosperity can self‐sustain itself, only if it is inclusive and equitable in nature. An equitable farm reduces poverty and inequality by ensuring a systematic re‐distribution of the economic benefits of development.
Prof Dabholkar suggested every farmer to bear a child’s curiosity towards his/her farm. Each one of us as a child is gifted by nature. We grow up with learning through W/H questions on every observation of ours. The same curiosity should be re-inculcated in a farmer. As a child’s constant prattle on 'Why', 'How', 'How much', 'Why not this way' etc gets him/her well acquainted with the things, a farmer too should get acquainted with his/her farm and its surrounding through continued curiosity. The spirit of sharing the equity, sharing knowledge, sharing database generates from this curiosity
The success from a Natueco farm:
The success from a Natueco farm can also be quantified in terms of the quality and quantity of the farm produce.
Quantity/Yield:
Some notable examples include Rice (40 quintals/acre, without flooding the field!), Wheat (30 quintals/acre), Soya bean (20 quintals/acre), Ground nut (24 quintals/acre), Tomato (120 tons/acre), Sugar cane (100 tons/acre), Coconut (400 fruits/tree/annum on maturity), Grape (16 tons /acre), Banana (45kg/plant), Papaya (180 kg/tree/annum), Potatoes (40 tons/acre) etc. All these yields start accruing from the very first year of operation.
Quality of Natueco soil:
This was analyzed by ICRISAT and it was found that the Organic Carbon percentage of this soil was at least 3 times more than the normal soil. For the presence of micronutrients in the available form, in Natueco soil the following was noticed: Boron and Sulphur 3times, Iron 1.5 times and Zn 6 times more than the normal farm soil. In addition to these elements Microbial biomass C, Microbial biomass N and Dehydrogenase were present in much more percentage indicating the presence of very good total population of microorganisms in the Natueco soil.
Quality in terms of the nutritional value of food from Natueco farms:
Bottle Gourd from a Natueco farm and from general market was analyzed for nutritional value. In addition to the presence of 5 times more Protein and 20% more Calcium, the presence of Magnesium, Iron and Vitamin B12 was noticed in the Bottle gourd sample produced in the Natueco farm.
Conclusion
Natueco culture teaches us that agriculture is not only a cultivation of flora and fauna but it is also a cultivation of prosperous culture, sharing of knowledge, labor, resource etc. Every individual farm contributes to the Nation’s prosperity providing a modern lifestyle with five ‘Ls’ and leading consciously to a scientific and holistic life forever.
Going beyond mere short term commercial gains on farms to wholesome success (all-round success, in all relevant dimensions of farming over the short and long run), Natueco farming is a success story awaiting for it’s rapid adaptation worldwide. It has the potential to bring about deep changes in society and the well-being of the human race and the nature together
References
1. “Plenty for all” – Prof. Sripad A.Dabholkar, ISBN NO: 817766-244-9
2. “Amrut Krushi Science” – Deepak Suchde, Published with support from NABARD
3. “Natueco Science” – Deepak Suchde. Under publication
Deepak Suchde
MALPANI TRUST At. Bajwada, Post. Nemawar, Tel. Khategaon, Dist. Dewas 455339 M.P.India.
Phone: 9826054388, Email: [email protected]
WEBSITES: www.beyondorganicfarming ; www.amrutkrushi.com
Abstract:
In this paper the author presents the basic concepts of the most ecological farming way called “Natueco farming”. A comparative study between conventional/contemporary farming techniques and the Natueco farming technique is presented, in terms of farm productivity. The holistic meaning of “success” in farming is explained considering various social, economical and ethical value parameters related to farming. The paper highlights the benefits of Natueco farming in terms of harvesting maximum sun light and increasing a farm’s primary productivity for a high yield.
Keywords: Natueco, Bio Diversity, Biomass, Energy, Water, Primary Productivity, Prosperity
Introduction:
In this machine era, the standards of living are rising day by day. Due to a continuous growth in the population and due to rising standards of living, the “consumption” in a society is increasing multifold! Therefore the “need” and the “modernization” are following each other in a vicious circle! Such effects of “modernization” are evident in all the areas of life, including farming. Farming communities have been under pressure to meet the ever expanding needs of a modern society which is, also growing in population. Modern methods of farming across the world are relying increasingly on the use of chemicals, robust machines, “Mono crop” methods, genetically modified foods, “industrial farming”, soil less farming etc. While all such methods have delivered increased “gains” over the short run, they have created (and continue to create) irreversible damage and / or adverse effects on farm and human life itself for whose benefits these methods were innovated. A few examples of such adverse effects are: toxic food production, a severe loss of soil fertility, contamination of water resources, disturbances in the natural cycles and biodiversity of farms, dependence of farmers on commercial organizations for seeds, fertilizers, pesticides etc. These effects have surfaced after a considerably prolonged use of many farming innovations. All these effects have paralyzed a farmer and his farm today in more than one way.
Based on these growing concerns in “modern” agriculture, the agricultural institutes and methods are now shifting to more natural ways of farming.
Among all the methods of farming available today (traditional/conventional/contemporary etc), the only method which ensures holistic success (as mentioned in the following paragraphs) for a farmer, his farm and for the consumers of the produce is the ‘Natueco” farming method.
Natueco Method / Natueco culture
The word “Natueco” is born from a combination of two words: “Natural” and “Ecological”! The Natueco method of farming is, in fact, a culture of farming based on imitating and collaborating with Nature through critical scientific methods to strengthen the produce and the ecology of a farm. Natueco has been conceived as a holistic way to meet the needs of farming and food today. It addresses typical issues in farming like how to work in synergy with Nature without burdening it, how to reduce dependency on external inputs to a farm, how to work scientifically and within the local resources available in the surroundings of a farm, how to farm without harming its ecology and, at the same time, gaining the highest benefits from it etc. The features of Natueco culture distinguish it from “Natural Farming” and/or “Organic Farming”.
Natueco is a method “Beyond Organic”:
“In Natural or Organic farming, farming is done trusting Nature through the empirical wisdom of the ages. In Natueco Farming, on the other hand, farming is done by knowing Nature (more and more and better and better!) through critical scientific inquiries and experiments. It is an ever growing, novel, unique, participatory tryst between man and Nature! Natueco culture and Critical Scientific Agriculture became synonymous words. The major features of scientific farming were also the basic features of Natueco Culture!” Sri S.A.Dabholkar. (“Plenty for All” section 5.1)
When we talk about the success of a farming method, let us first understand what success means to a farmer? The parameters of a farmer’s success can be put forward as:
(a) Generating maximum farm output from minimum input;
(b) Harvesting maximum sun light per square foot area of earth;
(c) Self-reliance for resources within their local availability;
(d) Independence from external resources
(e) Minimum use of energy (per unit of produce) in farming;
(f) Creating abundance in the ecology of a farm throughout the farm’s life cycle;
(g) Working to become self sufficient in terms of knowledge, resources and approach;
(h) Working for the highest good of the farmer community;
(i) Enjoying the 5Ls of the farming occupation: Learning, Living, Livelihood, Love and Laughter; and
(j) Living a rich life with grace and dignity;
Such holistic success would be achieved by a farmer by performing his/her duties in the following order:
1. Protecting the delicate balance of Mother Earth and her environment;
2. Taking care of the wellbeing of his/her family;
3. Offering the harvest of his/her labor to the world; and
4. Creating a model farm which is self-sustainable in all the above aspects.
Success of Natueco in terms of Productivity of a farm:
The productivity of a farm (also called visible productivity) is a combined effect of ‘Primary Productivity’ and ‘Secondary Productivity’. It is measured as dry-mass per hectare. The Primary Productivity of a farm is the key factor in determining the quality of the visible productivity (yield). Soil with good primary productivity helps in harvesting optimum sunlight. This helps in efficient photosynthesis in a plant. Hence the plant gives better yield with quality nutrients available in the crop.
With these fundamental scientific requirements of a plant in focus, Natueco teaches us how to create our own soil which is called Amrut Mitti. Soil so created helps a farmer to do quality farming irrespective of the quality of the original soil naturally available in his farm. Thus Natueco Farming enhances the primary productivity of the soil and establishes a firm correlation with use of energy and water as a resource.
Natueco vis-à-vis conventional farming in terms of “farm productivity”:
With conventional methods of farming, our efforts have been to increase the ‘Visible Productivity’ of a farm. The “Green Revolution” was introduced as a consequence of this mindset. The fundamental approach of the Green Revolution was to enhance the visible productivity of a farm through its ‘Secondary Productivity’. This is apparently a sensible thing to do. However, over a long period of time, by considering the visible productivity of a farm as its only measure of success (and hence rigorously enhancing its secondary productivity), we neglected and gradually forgot about the farm’s primary productivity.
We derived a false sense of pride from the enhanced visible productivity of a farm without realizing the silent degradation of soil’s primary productivity! In the beginning, with conventional farming, ‘Visible Productivity’ can be easily increased by external inputs. However, over a long period of time, this impairs a farm’s ‘Primary Productivity’. We start seeing a gradual decline in ‘Visible Productivity’, even though external inputs remain the same or even increase.
Natueco Science focuses completely on enhancing the Primary Productivity of a farm. It concentrates on enriching the carbon value of soil, and also enhancing the quantum and diversity of varieties of microbial life found therein. In other words, it works to increase the output of dry mass per hectare per kiloliter of water consumed. In our initial understanding, working to increase the output of dry mass might appear to be very subtle factor in farming. However, this is an extremely important variable. Because the energy of the Sun can only be harvested optimally if the output of dry mass from a farm is maximized.
If land is harvested at its most optimal levels of ‘Primary Productivity’, it will give a maximum yield per hectare (for ever) with the least input cost! Thus such farming becomes financially viable. With an increase in the Primary Productivity of the farm, farmers’ dependence on external resources reduces gradually. It empowers the farmer to create a knowledge base and data base of experience on his own, and even create his/her own seed bank. Such farming, thus, becomes sustainable for a longer period of time. Today’s markets of the supplements for conventional farming, unfortunately do not offer anything to enhance the Primary Productivity of a farm.
Natueco Farming emphasizes `Neighborhood Resource Enrichment' by `Additive Regeneration' rather than through dependence on external and/or commercial inputs. It addresses the four main determinants of crop yield:
i) Soil- Creating soil with the best primary productivity, by recycling biomass and by establishing a proper energy chain;
ii) Roots-Focusing on the development and maintenance of feeder root zones of the plant for efficient absorption of the nutrients in the soil;
iii) Canopy-Focusing on harvesting sunlight by proper management and cultivation of the plant canopy for efficient photosynthesis; and
iv) Minimizing External Resources-Focusing on minimizing the use of external resources including water; and reducing dependency on the secondary productivity of the soil.
Natueco Farming maximizes farm output with a minimum input of energy. Its goal is to maximize organic carbon or biomass of the soil (factors of Primary productivity).
Certain points of focus in the Natueco are:
(a) The mother (Soil), and not on the child (Plant);
(b) Long term and strategic thinking, rather than short cut/short term actions;
(c) Developing holistic and positive values in farming as an occupation;
(d) Uniting the community of farmers;
(e) Self Sustenance & Self Learning;
(f) The creation of a localized ‘Prosumer’ Society (i.e. a closed society of producers and consumers); and
(g) Enriching Bio Diversity
Important components of a Natueco farm are the creation of Amrut Mitti, and a Knowledge/Data base; seed treatment; enhancing bio-diversity and live fencing.
Prosperity with Equity
Today, the sharing of equity in agriculture has reduced to the practice of few land owners giving their farm land on contract to farmers (for one or more seasons) and getting returns in the form of a certain percentage of the production.
The wealth and prosperity that abound in society today is the outcome of the progress of modern science. But till today, the benefits of the best of modern science have failed to reach to the last person. It is always essential to hand over the essence of science to people at the grass roots. With this self-earned knowledge, they can build their own techniracies (Technical Literacy) to create their desired “Plenty and Prosperity” within their local neighborhood. Their dependence on the Government and other institutions will reduce this way. Prosperity with Equity would gain its true meaning then.
Prof. Sripad Dabholkar, the founder of Natueco Science, had said that true Prosperity can self‐sustain itself, only if it is inclusive and equitable in nature. An equitable farm reduces poverty and inequality by ensuring a systematic re‐distribution of the economic benefits of development.
Prof Dabholkar suggested every farmer to bear a child’s curiosity towards his/her farm. Each one of us as a child is gifted by nature. We grow up with learning through W/H questions on every observation of ours. The same curiosity should be re-inculcated in a farmer. As a child’s constant prattle on 'Why', 'How', 'How much', 'Why not this way' etc gets him/her well acquainted with the things, a farmer too should get acquainted with his/her farm and its surrounding through continued curiosity. The spirit of sharing the equity, sharing knowledge, sharing database generates from this curiosity
The success from a Natueco farm:
The success from a Natueco farm can also be quantified in terms of the quality and quantity of the farm produce.
Quantity/Yield:
Some notable examples include Rice (40 quintals/acre, without flooding the field!), Wheat (30 quintals/acre), Soya bean (20 quintals/acre), Ground nut (24 quintals/acre), Tomato (120 tons/acre), Sugar cane (100 tons/acre), Coconut (400 fruits/tree/annum on maturity), Grape (16 tons /acre), Banana (45kg/plant), Papaya (180 kg/tree/annum), Potatoes (40 tons/acre) etc. All these yields start accruing from the very first year of operation.
Quality of Natueco soil:
This was analyzed by ICRISAT and it was found that the Organic Carbon percentage of this soil was at least 3 times more than the normal soil. For the presence of micronutrients in the available form, in Natueco soil the following was noticed: Boron and Sulphur 3times, Iron 1.5 times and Zn 6 times more than the normal farm soil. In addition to these elements Microbial biomass C, Microbial biomass N and Dehydrogenase were present in much more percentage indicating the presence of very good total population of microorganisms in the Natueco soil.
Quality in terms of the nutritional value of food from Natueco farms:
Bottle Gourd from a Natueco farm and from general market was analyzed for nutritional value. In addition to the presence of 5 times more Protein and 20% more Calcium, the presence of Magnesium, Iron and Vitamin B12 was noticed in the Bottle gourd sample produced in the Natueco farm.
Conclusion
Natueco culture teaches us that agriculture is not only a cultivation of flora and fauna but it is also a cultivation of prosperous culture, sharing of knowledge, labor, resource etc. Every individual farm contributes to the Nation’s prosperity providing a modern lifestyle with five ‘Ls’ and leading consciously to a scientific and holistic life forever.
Going beyond mere short term commercial gains on farms to wholesome success (all-round success, in all relevant dimensions of farming over the short and long run), Natueco farming is a success story awaiting for it’s rapid adaptation worldwide. It has the potential to bring about deep changes in society and the well-being of the human race and the nature together
References
1. “Plenty for all” – Prof. Sripad A.Dabholkar, ISBN NO: 817766-244-9
2. “Amrut Krushi Science” – Deepak Suchde, Published with support from NABARD
3. “Natueco Science” – Deepak Suchde. Under publication