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Research
GREEN Foundation has developed a strong and strategic
baseline in the field of Research. Validating indigenous knowledge
through Research and Experimentation is an important activity. Research
is conducted on-farm in collaboration with the farmers and practices
are documented. The major areas of research include : |
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Mulching - Effective Microorganisms - Biodynamic practices - Seed Treatment - Botanical Pesticides - Plant Varietal Purification - Community Gene Bank Revitalization - Cultivation practices (SRI & Guli) |
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Seed Selection |
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Basket Composting |
Germination Test |
Participatory Plant Breeding |
Gene Bank |
SRI |
Mulching - This practice is recently being initiated in Banana and Mulberry. The final objective is to incorporate in-situ Vermicomposting. Mulching helps in conservation of moisuture, control of weed growth and improves soil microbial activity by regulating moisture and temperature. Irrigation requirement of crops get reduced by atleast 30% and finally Earthworms can be developed under mulching which helps in in-situ vermicomposting.
Effective Microorganisms - Introduction of EM Technology was done to enhance the quality of composting using beneficial microorganisms. EM is helpful in making bio-pesticidal formulation for pest and disease management also.
Bio dyanamic Training
Capacity building training programme for the farmers was conducted in the month of July for two days at Thalli organic farm in Tamil Nadu state bordering Bangalore rural district for the farmers in the fold of green Foundation.
In the early twenties some group of farmers at Germany, who were doing the organic farming realized and were deeply concerned with the decline in the soil fertility, loss in the food quality and the uneconomical animal husbandry. They approached the philosopher scientist Dr. Rudolf Steiner to help get rid of the above mentioned problems as a result of this Dr. Rudolf Steiner gave the solutions as “Bio Dynamic Agriculture” in the form of eight lectures at Koberwitz. His knowledge and thinking was very much influenced by the Indian Vedas. In this farming the farm is considered as a ‘living organism” in which one activity influence and affects the other. Bio Dynamic agriculture can otherwise be called as a “Holistic farming system” it encourages the mixed farming with animal husbandary as an important component. It insists on all Organic principles, mainly on green manuring, crop rotation, compost making and its application and natural way of controlling the insect and pest incidences. Apart from these, it emphasizes very much on the utilization of the cosmic forces and the effect of moon rhythms in farming by proper planning of all garden activities using the planting calendar. This farming system can be practiced in any Organic farming system only.
In the Bio Dynamic farming Dr. Rudolf Steiner has given eight recipes as “Bio Dynamic preparations” that includes Horn Manure, Horn Silica, and Compost preparation like Yarrow, Chamomile, Stinging nettle, Oak bark, Dandelion and valerian. The preparations made from the above are used in small quantities and dissolved in water, which will be proportionally more to the manure taken based on Homeopathic principles of dilution.
Utilization of Cosmic Forces
The Indian farmers have traditionally known the utilization of cosmic forces in agriculture. Bio Dynamic farming system also recognizes the cosmic forces and effect of moon rhythms. For this purpose a planting calendar has been designed in many countries based on the location of the country. These calendars will help us to plan our farm activities in a better way so as to receive the correct forces that are needed for the development of the crops. The Bio Dynamic manures can be used in different ways over soil and the crops grown, thereby increasing the soil fertility in a very short notice. Similarly they will impart good resistance power to the crops against incidences. Hence it is very certain that these practices will increase the yield of the crops. It is hereby emphasizes that the proper utilization of all Bio Dynamic preparations and manures are very much essential in any organic farming system to accelerate the process of development.
Seed Treatment - This is basically done to avoid seed borne pests and diseases, for better germination as well as control of storage pests. Natural resources such as salt, cow urine, asafoetida, turmeric, etc. are used for seed treatment.
Botanical Pesticides - The pesticides are prepared using locally available plant species that have the pesticidal property. These include Neem, Pongamia, Garlic etc. These are maintained in our Herbal Gardens established in Kitchen Garden.
Plant Varietal Purification - This is again a participatory Research Approach where the locally available varieties of food grains are selected on the basis of desirable properties like drought tolerant, pest and disease resistance, higher yield, aroma, taste etc. This is practiced in farmers field with their active participation in plant selection.
Community Gene Bank Revitalization - All the available local germplasms are being collected, revitalized periodically and stored in the Community Gene Bank by producing genetically pure seeds.
Cultivation practices
1. SRI
- System of Rice Intensification popularly known as Madagascar method
of rice cultivation was initially developed in Madagascar in the early
1980’s and has since been tested in China, India, Indonesia, the
Philippines, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh with positive results. This method
advocates transplanting young seedlings with wide spacing and no standing
water during the crop growth stage. Not only does this method gives increased
productivity but also improves soil structure as it requires less water.
2. Guli Ragi Method of Cultivation - This is again a unique method of Ragi cultivation that is similar to System of Rice Intensification. This is developed by the farmer of Haveri to increase the yield and fodder.
