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From Mayuri Pandit - Ahmadabad.
Blend of science and spirituality in farming
Initial interface…
A journey that was initiated in
the guidance of late Sri Sripad Dabholkar has continued and
grown through the years. This is reflected in a farm known as
Krushi Teerth, on
the banks of river Narmada in a small village, Bajwada near
Nemawar in Dewas district of Madhya Pradesh. Krushi Teerth
is a farm where suitable environment is created for nature to
take its own course. Here, Sri Dipak Suchade has committed his
life to working on Natueco-farming. The word Natueco
originates from combination of Nature and Ecology. As the name
‘Krushi Teerth’ suggests, this farm provides a model
for understanding farming in a scientific way in the context
of healthy relationship with nature and self.
A visit to the farm reveals the
bounty of nature in a non-exploitative and well-designed set
up. A closer observation reveals the incredible use of
precisely one-fourth acre (Ten
Guntha)
of land providing for the entire range of a family’s
subsistence and nutrition needs, with the only external input
in the farm being ‘water’. In the words of Sri Dipak Suchade,
“Give me any plot of land, and it will be made productive in
three months and lush green in three years. The only external
input required is water.” The diversity in microorganisms,
insects, birds, amphibians are found existing in harmony with
the
115 varieties of crops in Ten
Guntha of land. Instead of controlling the vagaries of
climatic changes, the
three to six
tiers formed from by
diverse crops is used to ensure food and nutrition security in
any circumstances. The multi layered growth is also found in
Ganga
Ma Mandal, where
concentric circles of different crops, serves as bathing space
cum ready supply of nutritious fruits, vegetables, grains and
health enriching herbs.
Walking through the past…
The journey towards alternative
practices began early in life for Sri Dipak Suchade. In his
twenties, he departed from the ‘futile’ education system that
did not have dignity of labour considering that he was earning
through selling greeting cards in Deepawali and gift items
office to office during his college days. For a long time, he
worked at a Gandhian School in Saurashtra called Sri
Shardagram where he started 14 village industries for
supporting sustainable incomes for students with concept earn
and learn based on Gandhian principals. Broom making, chalk
making, screen printing, groundnut oil extraction, just to
name a few. From there, he moved on to working on living
healthy and healing through homeopathy and naturopathy. His
deep interest in reaching out to the last person, took his
interest in organic farming and promotion of vermicompost at
Yusuf Meherally Center, Tara twenty five years. After
intensive work on practicing and promoting organic farming, an
interaction with Sri Dabholkar opened up a new world to him.
Learning under his guidance
regarding Natueco farming, Sri Dipak Suchade devoted himself
to staying in a hut in a tribal village near Panwel to
practice Natueco culture. Walking the footsteps of Sri
Dabholkar, Sri Dipak Suchade developed his forte in
exploration of least input intensive, integrated farming
practices that lay on the pillars of symbiotic relationship
with nature, valuable insights of modern science and inner
growth for joyful living.
At the heart of Natueco culture…
In an age where farming is considered as a source of income,
his initiative brings home the point that such activity needs
to be integrated and holistic and thus stem from a larger
vision. Mere learning and practicing a few skills can never be
a substitute for this larger understanding and vision for
life. In this context, Natueco farming and its practice
requires one to draw connections of their life with this
culture and live in sync with the other elements in their
immediate environment. The loving nurturance provided to the
plants in a natural environment creates positive energy and
healthy environment. For instance, healthy soil with balanced
composition of elements and microbes improves not only the
health of the plant but also transcends into the life of
people interacting with this environment. Thus, it is not just
a science but also a culture, such that it can be understood
in any local context without any barriers of language,
conventional education, region, and the like.
People from variety of
backgrounds are welcomed to learn at Krushi Teerth with fun,
awe-inspiring moments, and insightful journey. In
understanding the plant and its growth, the farmer’s inner
growth unfolds through range of reflections and observations.
The learning at Krushi Teerth is made simple and enriching
while including aspects of modern science including plant
physiology, plant chemistry, plant geometry and plant biology
with soil science. Different interest groups from
academicians, scientists, social workers, farmers and a
layperson with keen interest in understanding and undertaking
the journey are facilitated to enhance their learning and
interest. The learning process is aided by responding to the
interest and grasping process of each individual.
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Some of the critical aspects of the
nature of farming practiced at Krushi Teerth:
1.
No loss in production from very first crop
2.
Active microbial population, yet no disease through
out the season
3.
No market input required except for jaggery, which
can also be substituted with rotten banana, sugarcane or
rotten mango juice, jack fruit, mahuwa flowers, etc
4.
Inbuilt and in-situ process, with all resources
required available from immediate surrounding.
5.
Enrichment and enhancement of the quality of soil on
every harvest of crop, providing all the nutrition to the
plants from within and continuously.
6.
Benefit to both producer and consumer.
7.
No tilling; no digging and thus increase in the
organic carbon in the soil.
8.
Decreasing the entropy in the eco system.
9.
Diversity of seeds and plants in variety, age, and
uses. |
Learning at Krushi
Teerth…
In order to learn more about this culture, one needs to
understand that it is not just a training program, but a
practical model for demonstrating better life style. The
process of realizing this culture is filled with enjoying the
environment, and using one’s creativity while learning the
finer aspects of the science involved. During this process,
one can observe and realize the way the methods translate into
a solution to the larger problems that face us today regarding
food security and harmonious living with minimum ecological
footprints.
One observes that the produce from the farm nourishes the
family and similarly the practices of the farmer nurture the
nature. In this sense, the human beings take the role of the
producer as well as the consumer. The philosophy aims to help
the farmer provide only the surplus produce to a committed
consumer with an assured system of prior booking for the
produce by consumer, with a fixed price.
Reaching out…
Sri Dipak Suchade has been
circulating information and insights from practices at his
farm through articles in hard copy and on the website and by
CD. Besides this, there are theme-based booklets that have
been published. Moreover, those interested in visiting the
farm and learning further are invited for training programmes
of different duration like three days, five days, fifteen
days, a month or three months. The interested participants are
expected to follow disciplined course of the programme and
participate in all activities in the farm. Visitors are
expected to avoid use of alcohol, tobacco, drugs and the like.
The participants are provided basic facilities for stay and
vegan food at the farm. The learning process is aided through
practical hands on experience in Natueco farming and
Permaculture’s concept of Ganga Maa Mandal, discussions and
lectures, audio-video aids and reading. The discussions
include understanding Natueco farming in the context of the
existing methods of farming and its relevance in the national
and global context.
Sri Dipak Suchade, with the
support of Malpani Trust is working on a six-acre farm that
would sustain twenty-four families. The groundwork and
infrastructure for this initiative is under way. The visitors
interested in keenly pursuing Natueco farming are welcome to
join the larger family. The other learners would be expected
to participate in the farm activities and support the
initiative for its promotion through monetary contribution
within their capacity. Growth and impetus to the initiative at
Krushi Teerth have been catalyzed and also commenced by the
well-wishers and learners. |
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To whom so ever it may be concern.
Hi my name is
Narendar Sanghvi. I am student of SCMLD (Sadhana center for
management for management and leadership development), doing
my PG in Executive leadership and in 2nd year. As
part of our course curriculum and as we have developed great
interest in “Systems Thinking”, and it has created deep impact
on us. My thinking process, executable actions, future plans
etc., has undergone huge change and somewhere due to it I
knew, the current social and economic systems in which we stay
wont be that fulfilling to us. So I am in quest.
Prof. Pillai,
Bajpai sir, and Raina sir, had some where left it very clear
in our mind that going to the roots, that is some thing like
farming is important for being self sustaining. Hence I was
trying to explore in this field and I along with Puneet Garg
my equally excited classmate, started meeting different people
some NGO some govt. officials etc. Last 15 odd days were
roller coster rides we met with people we never even in our
dreams could think of meeting. On last Friday after systems
thinking class we had a small interactions with sir and he
just told if you are interested in farming we are going to a
place near Harda on Maharastra - MP border so if you want just
join us there.
To explore and
learn ‘something’, I just came here. But being
here was completely different experience. The farming concepts
was something that really touched me from within and made me
think why is this systems not spread out everywhere.
The way
farming is perceived and even how farmers do it today is very
harsh and with very less understanding of humans, feeling and
nature and how these are inter related. I think this was
something very beautifully portrayed here, how with love, care
and gratitude and with knowledge, hard work and determination,
the same thing can be done and with some extraordinary
results.
One thing that
made me proud that we have such systems by which the last and
the smallest farmer too can live with head held high. I think
the continuous portray of “Poor and needy” farmer that is
shown everywhere can be eradicated and any farmer can live
and sustainable life. I thank all the creators and messengers
of these farming model with great gratitude.
Apart from it
the biggest problem of creating waste in our economy world
over and going against nature was something that was really
irritating and there dint seem any way out until an eco
system, or in other words farming systems like this was in
front of us. 100% natural and in most ways self sustaining.
Even how bio diversity makes the system more strong and the
ways plants complement each other is great learning.
And this is a
great business opportunity as well. And I say “great business
opportunity” is not because of the profits that I can generate
out of this, as I know I can generate good profits else were
in other business also, I am saying this as great business
opportunity as it is about giving, and spreading happiness.
This business (I wonder if I can say so) can just spread
happiness around and nothing else. I can generate huge
employment and create lot of entrepreneurs by this. And I
think this is something I am looking forward to after being
here.
I think coming
here was an eye opener and a new door towards the direction I
want to go. I don’t really know what I have really learnt, but
I know I have learnt a lot and I would come back here to learn
more and develop myself in this field.
And I think it
would be inappropriate to not write anything about the subject
that influenced the most that is systems thinking. It is
impossible to comprehend what we have learnt in systems
thinking and write it down but I would try express what ever I
can in short. I think the most important learning that I
always carry is
-
The whole
universe is Interdependent
-
There is
abundance in universe.
-
We are
here to be happy and spread happiness.
-
Have
questions always and be curious.
Contact No. –
09975618793
E mail –
04co371@gmail.com
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