The transition of chemical fertilizers and pesticides to natural agricultural techniques in this Himacal Pradesh village was not easy at the beginning
From Rachna Verma
Throughout the country, governments have urged more sustainable agricultural practices, but it has always been a challenge to sharpen consciousness and convince people. In the remote tribal village of Shalkhar in the Kinnaur district in Himacal Pradesh, the relocation to sustainable agriculture occurred very differently than the villagers unanimously decided to no longer use the use of pesticides and to adopt natural agriculture in 2016.
However, the transition was not an overnight stay. It was a long -term consistency, strict compliance with the rules and complete commitment to the matter.
Gopal Negi prepares Jeevamrit for his orchard (photo – Gaurav Negi)
‘The discussion about the ban on chemical fertilizers started in 2011, but it took over five years for the entire village to finally agree on it. It was difficult to take this last step because the livelihood of the villagers was dependent on agriculture, ”said the villager Ram Gopal Negi (34).
The villagers, who belong to the Kinnauri tribe, began this conversation after he had consistently warned during his annual spiritual visits to the village. The village of Panchayat was also for a ban on chemical fertilizers and pesticides. The government only started promoting natural agriculture in the region in 2018.
‘Rinpoche has never done it mandatory. In 2008/09 he began to ask people not to use pesticides and chemical fertilizers because they influenced the environment and the soil. He added a spiritual corner and explained that there are many organisms in the air that we kill when spraying pesticides, which is a sin. This spiritual leadership helped the villagers to understand the broader consequences of their actions, Dorf Pradhan Suman Negi (30) told 101 reporters.
When asked why he decided to the village of Shalkhar, Rinpoche explained: “I come from this village. I was born here. Before I try to change something, I first have to change my home. Therefore I concentrated on Shalkhar. I noticed that people used many chemical fertilizers who worsened the health of the environment. In addition, they did not benefit financially. In addition, people were so friendly to listen to him.
It was only in 2011 that people really took note of what Rinpoche supported. The chemical ban was imposed in 2016, with a fine of 25,000 rupees paid by those who oppose it. “So far, nobody has broken this rule,” said Suman.
The change was not easy because the entire village was dependent on agricultural income. The difficulties for the village started immediately after the ban on fertilizers. “Since the apple trees were used to spraying chemicals, we saw a sudden increase in mites and wool blade lice. Apple production dropped by up to 80 percent. To deal with the financial crisis [BRO]’She told.
Manoj Kumar Negi (45), a farmer from Shalkhar, told 101 reporters that he was the only breadwinner of his family of seven. Before the ban, I made around 200 boxes with apples in addition to peas, cauliflower and potatoes. After the ban, I hardly got 20 boxes of apples, many of which were damaged, ”he said.
Farmers in Spiti practice natural agriculture (photo – Sujata Negi)
Manoj had no choice but to work with his brother for RS 433 a day. Although he earned almost 13,000 rupees a month, he tried to meet the financial needs, including the educational costs of his children. ‘I somehow made the shift in these first days. Today our financial illness has improved. My children study in Shimla and Solan with all the expenses covered by agricultural income, ”added Manoj.
He also explained that agricultural work was significantly reduced after the custody of pesticides, since there is no spray to control diseases.
The government accelerates the shift
Ritesh Kumar Gupa, project manager of Reckong Peo, Kinnaur, told 101 reporters that the village of the Ministry of Agriculture was taken over by the natural agricultural practices and was developed as a model village as part of its first phase of natural agricultural expansion in the state.
‘The district is blessed with a good climate, so that not many pesticides were used here compared to other parts of Himachal. Many diseases cannot be seen here due to the cold conditions. When the department adopted the village, they had already given up chemical fertilizers, but had problems with production and illness issues, ”he said.
The department made them aware of the principles of natural agriculture, which means that no organism is removed from the food chain, but manages them within the limited capacity. ‘Since then we have provided 89 training courses for 3,120 farmers, of whom 1,006 active farmers who have maintained around 273.2 hectares of land in Pooh Block. Apart from apples, people cultivate pea, Rajma [kidney beans]Barley, potatoes and stone fruits that are also monetary plants, ”explained Guppa.
In the training units, the agricultural sales representatives taught farmers how to make Ghanjeevamrit, Jeevamrit and Beejamrit. Experts visited the village to demonstrate techniques. Gradually, the village lodges saw the shift. Now has the whole village Organic and natural agriculture Certifications.
Field visit from the BTM to Shalkhar Village (Photo – Gaurav Negi)
According to RAM Gopal, Block Technology Manager (BTM) visited every 20 days and was always available by phone.
The community combines science with tradition and also carries out a special smoke ritual of Sur, as the Rinpoche proposed. The ritual included mixing Sattu (roasted flour), ghee, sugar and some local aromatic herbs that were burned to create smoke. It was assumed that this smoke cleaned the atmosphere and fends off harmful pests that could otherwise destroy the harvests.
When asked why he encouraged Sur’s use, the Rinpoche explained that its spiritual meaning was undeniable. “I don’t know the scientific principles. I only know that Sur contains the local herbs [shompaa]Ghee, roasted flour and other ingredients work in pest control. As a burning cow, keeping mosquitoes away, Sur is working on cleaning the environment, ”he said.
In order to promote the village and the natural products, the government has set up the Ratan Bhadurpur Farmer Producer Company (FPC), which has established connections to several companies to sell apples. Deawan Negi (37), an apple breeder, claimed, however, that the company does not pay them a higher amount for natural products. He also explained that marketing is one of the challenges they face. So you remember to accept this matter with the state government. However, he agreed that the village deserves more than before.
The FPC chairwoman Ram Gopal confirmed that the prices are the same and said: “The nearby villages of Chango and Hurling have now started natural agriculture, but we have been doing it for some time. Nevertheless, they sold their harvests for 1,100 rupees per box, as well as the farmers of Shalkhar. Instead of harvesting the FPO Calling the only price and taking the farmers directly from the fields, since it has the matter with the government.
Share good work from Shalkhar
Inspired by the success in Shalkhar, the nearby villages of Hurling, Sumra, Chango, Nakoo, Tabo and other natural agricultural techniques used. In fact, Hurling Village even set up a checkpoint to prevent pesticides from being brought to the village. While the productivity was not much influenced, except for the initial transition period, people noticed that the general health of plants and trees had improved.
Sujata Negi, who is even a passionate farmer and BTM coach from the Spiti Valley, said that inspiring people, in local monasteries, mostly chemically grown fruit and vegetables. She pointed out that her decision to pursue natural agriculture was not only mentally motivated, although spiritual factors played a strong role in the process.
The practical training was offered by the horticultural department of the village of Shalkhar (Photo – Ritesh Gupta)
The farmers also contacted the horticultural department to move with the challenges. They learned against current problems such as water shortages and water -enhancing agricultural practices in the region due to scarce resources. Dürretolant black peas have been predominant. Another widespread practice was multi -colored, in which different types of harvesting were assembled on the same farm to fully exploit their resources and ensure a lower risk at once.
Sujata was worked out how Yeshey Dolma from Lidang in Spiti Kaza formed a group of 20 female farmers to collectively cultivate 80 BIGHAS Land with natural agricultural practices. Yeshey manages 25 BIGHAS irrigated land that produce peas, the peas, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli and potatoes, apart from all conventional grain crops such as barley and Kala matar. It also holds local cattle, including Jomo, Bashi, Churu and Yak. All of her agricultural work is supplemented by her family members – her husband, who is an older secondary school teacher. Three sons; And a daughter – while she has equipment like a power trailer and tractor.
Rachna Verma is a freelance journalist and member of 101 reportersA Pan-India network of basic reporters.
101 Reporters is a Pan-India network of basic reporters that emerges unheard of stories from the hinterland.
