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site_visit_and_survey_notes [2008-04-01 15:28] – sanjeev | site_visit_and_survey_notes [2020-06-06 10:02] – old revision restored (2008-04-01 14:06) 114.119.167.151 | ||
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- | ===== Site visits and Surveys | + | === Site visits and Surveys === |
These notes form a part of [[sanjeev shankar]]' | These notes form a part of [[sanjeev shankar]]' | ||
- | ====Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam==== | + | * **Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam** |
Established in 1663, the hortus is one of the oldest botanic gardens in the world with more than 6000 plants from all over. What started out as a medicinal herb garden, the hortus grows only pure plant species, as they are found in nature. It is also the first botanic garden in the Netherlands to display the molecular systemics of plants to everyone and continues to organize various cultural, educational and botanical activities through out the year.((http:// | Established in 1663, the hortus is one of the oldest botanic gardens in the world with more than 6000 plants from all over. What started out as a medicinal herb garden, the hortus grows only pure plant species, as they are found in nature. It is also the first botanic garden in the Netherlands to display the molecular systemics of plants to everyone and continues to organize various cultural, educational and botanical activities through out the year.((http:// | ||
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- | ====Delhi, India==== | + | * **Current Status of Organic farming in India** |
+ | |||
+ | Organic farming is gathering momentum all over the globe and is currently practiced in more than 100 countries. Although the term ' | ||
+ | getting popularity in recent times, it was initiated 10000 years back when ancient farmers started cultivation depending on natural sources only. There is brief mention of several organic inputs in India's ancient literatures like Rigveda, Ramayana, Mahabharata, | ||
+ | |||
+ | {{: | ||
+ | |||
+ | The term " | ||
+ | * To work as much as possible within a closed system, and draw upon local resources. | ||
+ | * To maintain the long-term fertility of soils. | ||
+ | * To avoid all forms of pollution that may result from agricultural techniques. | ||
+ | * To produce foodstuffs of high nutritional quality and sufficient quantity. | ||
+ | * To reduce the use of fossil energy in agricultural practice to a minimum. | ||
+ | * To give livestock conditions of life that confirm to their physiological need. | ||
+ | * To make it possible for agricultural producers to earn a living through their work and develop their potentialities as human being. | ||
+ | |||
+ | The four pillars of organic farming are: Organic standards, Certification/ | ||
+ | Revolution, ushered in India during the 1960's is often seen as the cornerstone of India' | ||
+ | agriculture in the long run calling attention for sustainable production which will address soil health, human health and environmental health and eco-friendly agriculture. Organic farming appears to be one of the options for sustainability. Starting of organic agriculture in India in 1900 by Sir Albert Howard, a British agronomist in North India, Development of Indore Method of aerobic compost (Howard, 1929), Bangalore method of | ||
+ | anaerobic compost (Archarya, 1934), NADEP Compost (ND Pandari Panda, | ||
+ | |||
+ | The year 2000 was a very important year for India from organic point of view. The major happenings during this year were: | ||
+ | * The Planning Commission constituted (2000) a steering group on agriculture who identified organic farming as National challenge and suggested it should be taken in the form of a project as major thrust area for 10th-plan. The group recommended organic farming in North Eastern Region, rain fed areas and in the areas where the consumption of agro chemicals is low or negligible. | ||
+ | * The National Agricultural Policy(2000) recommended promotion of traditional knowledge of agriculture relating to organic farming and its scientific upgradation. | ||
+ | * The Department of Agriculture and Cooperation (DAC), Ministry of Agriculture constituted (2000) a Taskforce on organic farming. | ||
+ | * The Ministry of Commerce launched the National Organic Programme in April 2000 and Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) is implementing the National Programme for Organic Production(NPOP). | ||
+ | |||
+ | Vast stretches of India and its farmers continue to be organic by default. Organic fertilizer and natural pest control are the only tools available to most of these farmers, who have always lacked the financial resources to explore chemical solutions. Further, a significant number of them have chosen to farm organically, | ||
+ | |||
+ | Global statistics do not reflect this fact about India! As per the study (2004) of the Foundation Ecology and Agriculture (known as SOEL), | ||
+ | the global organic area is 24 million ha. The major part of this area is located in Australia (about 10 million hectares), Argentina | ||
+ | (almost 3million hectares. Australia /Oceania holds 42% of the world' | ||
+ | than 61,000. In 2004, India' | ||
+ | |||
+ | The fees for registering a farm as ' | ||
+ | Further, almost all bank loans are for pure crop farmers, that is, monoculturalists. While many of these big-business farmers use harmful chemicals and processes, small farmers fertilizing their soil with recycled organic wastes are usually ineligible for insurance, much less state subsidies. | ||
+ | |||
+ | For detailed and comparative analysis please click on the document below: | ||
+ | * {{: | ||
+ | |||
+ | * **Case Study Delhi** | ||
Some pointers related to organic farming in Delhi: | Some pointers related to organic farming in Delhi: | ||
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* Elsewhere in India, more than 5,000 farmers in 250 villages of Surat in Gujarat have switched over to organic farming, according to agro-expert Chandrakanth Mandavia of the Abhyuthan Gram Vikas Mandal, a Surat-based organisation. The most common crops are mushrooms and mangoes. | * Elsewhere in India, more than 5,000 farmers in 250 villages of Surat in Gujarat have switched over to organic farming, according to agro-expert Chandrakanth Mandavia of the Abhyuthan Gram Vikas Mandal, a Surat-based organisation. The most common crops are mushrooms and mangoes. | ||
- | In Delhi, apart from the ridge forest which is the capital' | + | In Delhi, apart from the ridge forest which is the capital' |
Home gardens are commonly seen in New Delhi with the role of the local ' | Home gardens are commonly seen in New Delhi with the role of the local ' | ||
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* {{: | * {{: | ||
+ | |||
* http:// | * http:// | ||
+ | |||
* http:// | * http:// | ||
+ | |||
* http:// | * http:// | ||
+ | |||
* http:// | * http:// | ||
- | ====Chandni Chowk, Delhi==== | + | ==Extract from Peri-urban agriculture in India by D S Bhupal, Dr. Fiona Marshall, Dolf te Lintelo== |
- | + | ||
- | Also known as the ' | + | |
- | + | ||
- | {{: | + | |
- | {{: | + | |
- | + | ||
- | ===Extract from Peri-urban agriculture in India by D S Bhupal, Dr. Fiona Marshall, Dolf te Lintelo=== | + | |
* The rural-peri-urban-urban continuum itself is dynamic in nature and the changes are more marked around cities that are rapidly urbanizing or growing both economically and spatially. | * The rural-peri-urban-urban continuum itself is dynamic in nature and the changes are more marked around cities that are rapidly urbanizing or growing both economically and spatially. | ||
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//Assessing constraints to production:// | //Assessing constraints to production:// | ||
In view of the general lack of awareness about the significance of UPA, creating effective linkages with research and policy communities is of prime importance. Firstly, this requires the identification of key stakeholders from government, private sector and non-governmental organizations. Secondly, in-depth analysis of the existing legal-administrative, | In view of the general lack of awareness about the significance of UPA, creating effective linkages with research and policy communities is of prime importance. Firstly, this requires the identification of key stakeholders from government, private sector and non-governmental organizations. Secondly, in-depth analysis of the existing legal-administrative, | ||
- | The policy environment in general is marked by a common dichotomy between urban and rural development administration and policies, leaving little scope for acknowledgement of the specific characteristics and needs of agriculture in the urban and peri-urban areas. Agricultural policies are primarily designed for rural areas, and are therefore not always compatible with the needs of UPA farmers. To bridge this gap, opportunities for linking up with activities and programmes need to be identified. | + | The policy environment in general is marked by a common dichotomy between urban and rural development administration and policies, leaving little scope for acknowledgement of the specific characteristics and needs of agriculture in the urban and peri-urban areas. Agricultural policies are primarily designed for rural areas, and are therefore not always compatible with the needs of UPA farmers. To bridge this gap, opportunities for linking up with activities and programmes need to be identified. |
- | ====Organic farming in India==== | + | ==Chandni Chowk, Delhi== |
- | Organic farming is gathering momentum all over the globe and is currently practiced | + | Also known as the ' |
- | getting popularity | + | |
- | {{:perma26.jpg|}} | + | {{:perma75.jpg|}} |
+ | {{:perma76.jpg|}} | ||
- | The term " | + | ==TERI_Tata Energy Research Institute, Forestry department, New Delhi and FRLHT (Foundation of Revitalisation of local health traditions), |
- | * To work as much as possible within a closed system, and draw upon local resources. | + | |
- | * To maintain the long-term fertility of soils. | + | |
- | * To avoid all forms of pollution that may result from agricultural techniques. | + | |
- | * To produce foodstuffs of high nutritional quality and sufficient quantity. | + | |
- | * To reduce the use of fossil energy in agricultural practice to a minimum. | + | |
- | * To give livestock conditions of life that confirm to their physiological need. | + | |
- | * To make it possible for agricultural producers to earn a living through their work and develop their potentialities as human being. | + | |
- | + | ||
- | The four pillars of organic farming are: Organic standards, Certification/ | + | |
- | Revolution, ushered in India during the 1960's is often seen as the cornerstone of India' | + | |
- | agriculture in the long run calling attention for sustainable production which will address soil health, human health and environmental health and eco-friendly agriculture. Organic farming appears to be one of the options for sustainability. Starting of organic agriculture in India in 1900 by Sir Albert Howard, a British agronomist in North India, Development of Indore Method of aerobic compost (Howard, 1929), Bangalore method of | + | |
- | anaerobic compost (Archarya, 1934), NADEP Compost (ND Pandari Panda, | + | |
- | + | ||
- | The year 2000 was a very important year for India from organic point of view. The major happenings during this year were: | + | |
- | * The Planning Commission constituted (2000) a steering group on agriculture who identified organic farming as National challenge and suggested it should be taken in the form of a project as major thrust area for 10th-plan. The group recommended organic farming in North Eastern Region, rain fed areas and in the areas where the consumption of agro chemicals is low or negligible. | + | |
- | * The National Agricultural Policy(2000) recommended promotion of traditional knowledge of agriculture relating to organic farming and its scientific upgradation. | + | |
- | * The Department of Agriculture and Cooperation (DAC), Ministry of Agriculture constituted (2000) a Taskforce on organic farming. | + | |
- | * The Ministry of Commerce launched the National Organic Programme in April 2000 and Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) is implementing the National Programme for Organic Production(NPOP). | + | |
- | + | ||
- | Vast stretches of India and its farmers continue to be organic by default. Organic fertilizer and natural pest control are the only tools available to most of these farmers, who have always lacked the financial resources to explore chemical solutions. Further, a significant number of them have chosen to farm organically, | + | |
- | + | ||
- | Global statistics do not reflect this fact about India! As per the study (2004) of the Foundation Ecology and Agriculture (known as SOEL), | + | |
- | the global organic area is 24 million ha. The major part of this area is located in Australia (about 10 million hectares), Argentina | + | |
- | (almost 3million hectares. Australia /Oceania holds 42% of the world' | + | |
- | than 61,000. In 2004, India' | + | |
- | + | ||
- | The fees for registering a farm as ' | + | |
- | Further, almost all bank loans are for pure crop farmers, that is, monoculturalists. While many of these big-business farmers use harmful chemicals and processes, small farmers fertilizing their soil with recycled organic wastes are usually ineligible for insurance, much less state subsidies. | + | |
- | + | ||
- | For detailed and comparative analysis please click on the document below: | + | |
- | * {{: | + | |
- | For details about Bhaskar Save's natural farming methods, please click on the document below: | + | |
- | * {{: | + | |
- | * {{: | + | |
- | + | ||
- | ====TERI_Tata Energy Research Institute, Forestry department, New Delhi and FRLHT (Foundation of Revitalisation of local health traditions), | + | |
Community outreach program of HHG(home herbal gardens)((http:// | Community outreach program of HHG(home herbal gardens)((http:// | ||
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- | ====Gurukula Botanical Sanctuary==== | + | * **Case Study South India** |
+ | |||
+ | ==Gurukula Botanical Sanctuary== | ||
Spread over 55 acres, the Gurukula Botanical Sanctuary is a garden of wild plant species grown at the edge of a large rainforest reserve in the Western Ghat Mountains of Kerala, India. It is dedicated to conservation and education. Founded in 1981, the Sanctuary restores endangered species and habitats in a highly fragmented landscape, where only a fraction of original forest remains and much of the native flora has been tragically and sometimes deliberately extracted or “cleaned up” for human use. While witnessing the exuberant growth of anthuriums and begonias around us, we discuss the impact of the growing popularity of ayurveda and organic teas on the forests and how their price does not reflect the real price we all are paying in the long run. I am told the amount of bio mass which goes into their production is shockingly high. Of course there are issues of the rise and fall of tea and coffee prices and how economics and ecology have become interlinked. We move on and see the epiphytic orchids in the orchidarium conserved in the most impressive manner. I am told that out of 300000 known plants about 30000 are orchids. The sanctuary itself is a repository of over 2000 plant species which is about one-third of the entire regions flora. These have been rescued from degraded and destroyed environments. While we are told about a pit viper which is often seen coiled up among the plants, another viper quietly waits next to the pond, attracted by the numerous frogs that breed there. Conservation in this district of Wayanad, where the original settlers were small migrant farmers with immediate survival needs, is an exceptionally challenging job. Fighting for the last bits of rain forests is not a choice, but a crucial need and responsibility here. The care and patience with which these plants have been brought back to life, I feel there is no other way to protect them. Such single minded focus is what makes this place special. | Spread over 55 acres, the Gurukula Botanical Sanctuary is a garden of wild plant species grown at the edge of a large rainforest reserve in the Western Ghat Mountains of Kerala, India. It is dedicated to conservation and education. Founded in 1981, the Sanctuary restores endangered species and habitats in a highly fragmented landscape, where only a fraction of original forest remains and much of the native flora has been tragically and sometimes deliberately extracted or “cleaned up” for human use. While witnessing the exuberant growth of anthuriums and begonias around us, we discuss the impact of the growing popularity of ayurveda and organic teas on the forests and how their price does not reflect the real price we all are paying in the long run. I am told the amount of bio mass which goes into their production is shockingly high. Of course there are issues of the rise and fall of tea and coffee prices and how economics and ecology have become interlinked. We move on and see the epiphytic orchids in the orchidarium conserved in the most impressive manner. I am told that out of 300000 known plants about 30000 are orchids. The sanctuary itself is a repository of over 2000 plant species which is about one-third of the entire regions flora. These have been rescued from degraded and destroyed environments. While we are told about a pit viper which is often seen coiled up among the plants, another viper quietly waits next to the pond, attracted by the numerous frogs that breed there. Conservation in this district of Wayanad, where the original settlers were small migrant farmers with immediate survival needs, is an exceptionally challenging job. Fighting for the last bits of rain forests is not a choice, but a crucial need and responsibility here. The care and patience with which these plants have been brought back to life, I feel there is no other way to protect them. Such single minded focus is what makes this place special. | ||
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- | ====Rainforest Retreat==== | + | ==Rainforest Retreat== |
The Rainforest Retreat((http:// | The Rainforest Retreat((http:// | ||
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- | ====Beaulah Farm==== | + | ==Beaulah Farm== |
Tucked away in a picturesque pocket of the Nilgiris in South India, Beulah Farm provides the chance visitor a rare personal treat in the state of Tamil Nadu. The place which was founded by Eapen Jacob, does not fall within the usual tourist circuit. One may stumble upon it in the course of meandering walks one usually takes in the hills. Around the cottage, what looks like a wild tangle of a garden, each shrub, plant and bush makes up the herb garden which has been lovingly nurtured and tended to by Eapen, who plays music to his plants every day! From the three different kinds of basil and four different kinds of mint, the rosemary, thyme, sage and parsley. Passion fruits, Malta oranges, lemons make the fruit orchard, along with the strawberry patch. All of these go into making wines, liqueurs, tart marmalades, rhubarb jam and preserves made in a unique way in Sandalwood barrels on the farm. 23 different varieties of Rose wine (including a green and a black rose), guava squash, mint liqueur and a horse radish wine are some of his most popular products, all made in an organic way perfected over the last 25 years. In Jacob' | Tucked away in a picturesque pocket of the Nilgiris in South India, Beulah Farm provides the chance visitor a rare personal treat in the state of Tamil Nadu. The place which was founded by Eapen Jacob, does not fall within the usual tourist circuit. One may stumble upon it in the course of meandering walks one usually takes in the hills. Around the cottage, what looks like a wild tangle of a garden, each shrub, plant and bush makes up the herb garden which has been lovingly nurtured and tended to by Eapen, who plays music to his plants every day! From the three different kinds of basil and four different kinds of mint, the rosemary, thyme, sage and parsley. Passion fruits, Malta oranges, lemons make the fruit orchard, along with the strawberry patch. All of these go into making wines, liqueurs, tart marmalades, rhubarb jam and preserves made in a unique way in Sandalwood barrels on the farm. 23 different varieties of Rose wine (including a green and a black rose), guava squash, mint liqueur and a horse radish wine are some of his most popular products, all made in an organic way perfected over the last 25 years. In Jacob' | ||
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- | ====Krac-Á-Dawna Organic Farm==== | + | ==Krac-Á-Dawna Organic Farm== |
Founded by Juli and Vivek Cariappa, KRAC-A-DAWNA is an evolving farm nestled deep within rural Karnataka. It is an important member of the OFAI(Organic Farmers association of India) and has for long searched for practical solutions to daily problems. From home-schooling to manure-teas and bio-gas there are no fixed rules here. Ths is an interesting example in self-learning and re-learning about believing in one's instincts and defying a modern developmental process that relies too heavily on mass production and a rigid definition | Founded by Juli and Vivek Cariappa, KRAC-A-DAWNA is an evolving farm nestled deep within rural Karnataka. It is an important member of the OFAI(Organic Farmers association of India) and has for long searched for practical solutions to daily problems. From home-schooling to manure-teas and bio-gas there are no fixed rules here. Ths is an interesting example in self-learning and re-learning about believing in one's instincts and defying a modern developmental process that relies too heavily on mass production and a rigid definition | ||
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{{: | {{: | ||
- | ====Project Deep Fields==== | + | == Project Deep Fields == |
An interesting proposal in the 'Green Cities and Open Ideas' category by Krishna Balakrishna from UC Berkeley and Ganesh Mohan, IIT Chennai. The study proposes to create a **Deep Fields Organic Farmers Co-operative** which connects the problem of improper garbage disposal in Indian cities to providing an impetus for organic farming in urban edges. The project stems from a desire to initiate a program that is financially viable, ecologically sustainable, | An interesting proposal in the 'Green Cities and Open Ideas' category by Krishna Balakrishna from UC Berkeley and Ganesh Mohan, IIT Chennai. The study proposes to create a **Deep Fields Organic Farmers Co-operative** which connects the problem of improper garbage disposal in Indian cities to providing an impetus for organic farming in urban edges. The project stems from a desire to initiate a program that is financially viable, ecologically sustainable, | ||
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- | ====" | + | ==" |
" | " | ||
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RUrbanism involves transforming the city into a symbiotic partner with both nature and rural culture and a net producer of resources and value, rather than a parasitic consumer.((http:// | RUrbanism involves transforming the city into a symbiotic partner with both nature and rural culture and a net producer of resources and value, rather than a parasitic consumer.((http:// | ||
- | ====International Plants Expo, Dubai==== | + | ==International Plants Expo, Dubai== |
{{: | {{: |