Promote Sustainable Agriculture through NIA- No to Inorganic Agriculture Methods

People need natural resources to live, but many of our resources are limited, with only a few being renewable. One of the fundamental renewable resources is soil, which can regenerate over time. However, farmers in the Nagendrapur and Kankandighi Gram Panchayat, encompassing eight villages in the Mathurapur II block of South 24 Parganas, West Bengal, were previously overusing soil by growing multiple crops rapidly, and employing excessive and irrational amounts of chemical fertilizers and pesticides before MUKTI’s intervention. This practice disrupted the natural soil cycle, leading to long-term harm to the soil’s health and productivity.

Protecting soil health is crucial for human welfare and the sustainability of life on Earth, ensuring that future generations inherit fertile land. Poor agricultural practices in these areas have contributed to the degradation of soil health. Without intervention, continued misuse of chemical inputs will render the soil unproductive over time. Additionally, farmers have not been using organic manure, neglecting soil testing, and failing to adopt sustainable agricultural measures, further declining soil productivity.

Climate change exacerbates these challenges, as farmers, particularly marginalized ones, are forced to adapt to new conditions without adequate scientific farming knowledge. Local traders often misguide these farmers, leaving them to bear the brunt of anthropogenic climate change. Small and marginal farmers, in particular, suffer the most, as they lack the resources to buffer against the new risks posed by climate change.

Fortunately, there is still hope. By shifting to sustainable farming practices, we can save our soil and improve its productivity. Organic farming is not only environmentally beneficial but also holds long-term economic prospects as demand for organic food grows. Embracing the slogan “Healthy soil is the foundation of Human Health,” MUKTI proposes a Sustainable Agriculture Programme aimed at reducing cultivation costs, increasing yields, and maintaining agri-ecosystems that are socially and ecologically sustainable.

This initiative seeks to create a paradigm shift towards sustainable farming, ensuring that the soil remains fertile and productive for future generations while promoting the well-being of current farming communities.

Challenges

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, with lockdown measures spanning over two years, has been harder on poor farming families than anticipated. This has affected them mentally, as observed in their decreased participation and reduced efficiency in project activities, necessitating changes in the selected villages. Additionally, three subsequent storms—Amphan, Bulbul, and Yaas—along with flooding, have devastated farmers’ harvests and fisheries. The inundation of saline water due to the breakdown of dykes has increased soil salinity, further exacerbating the situation.

 Farmers’ improper agricultural practices, including the excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, have led to higher-than-expected soil depletion. The influence of climate change on agriculture has proven to be a significant challenge, with erratic rainfall often resulting in missed production cycles, causing local inhabitants to seek work as migrant laborers. Due to its importance, the project has attracted considerable attention from civil society and authorities, but the adversities encountered during implementation present severe challenges.

Learning

The effects of climate change are more severe than anticipated, causing high levels of migration and increased environmental destruction in Sundarban. This has had a profound impact on society. To secure the existence of a sustained human society, it is necessary to adopt a sustainable agriculture production system that is adapted to climate change. This involves an integrated production system that includes adjusted plant, animal, and aquaculture production along with secured marketing strategies.

Adjustments

As a result of the challenges mentioned, three major adjustments have been made:

1. Beneficiary and Village Selection: Some selected beneficiaries and villages had to be deselected to focus on areas with higher potential for successful intervention.
2. Soil Fertility Revival: To quickly revive soil fertility in farmers’ fields, selected bio-lives (organic soil enhancers) are being added.
3. Efficient Food Production: Greater efforts are being made to produce food on the dykes along the riverside rather than solely on agricultural land. This has led to a decision to reduce the number of dykes to compensate for the increased efforts required in the farmers’ cultivable land.

These adjustments aim to address the severe challenges faced and to ensure the sustainable implementation of agricultural practices in the affected regions.

What’s going on at MUKTI in Agriculture program so far:

Geographical Area: Mathurapur II block, 8 Villages under 2 GP at Raidighi , West Bengal- Sundarban, South 24 PGS.

Activities Taken Up	Action Initiated	Present Status
Procurement of Microorganisms at Our Own Bio Lab under the NIA (No to Inorganic Agriculture) Initiative	We have already collected 17 varieties of microorganism cultures from Dr. Krishnendu Acharya and have begun producing both mother and soldier cultures.	Currently, we have 80 farmers and 8 team leaders associated with Mukti. These 8 team leaders maintain daily contact with the 80 farmers, ensuring consistent support and guidance. In the future, an additional 80 farmers will be added to the existing group, expanding our network and impact.
Model Organic Garden	Seasonal vegetable varieties, aligned with crop rotation practices, have already been successfully replicated, along with integrated fishery operations.	The Advantages of No to In-Organic Farming: A Sustainable Future ·         Soil Health. ·         Reduced Chemical Usage. ·         Biodiversity Conservation. ·         Improved Water Quality. ·         Healthier Food. ·         Climate Change Mitigation. ·         Sustainable Farming Practices. ·         Support for Local Communities.
Promoting Indigenous Paddy Cultivation	Currently, 3 farmers are involved in this cultivation on a trial basis, using 3 bighas of land. We plan to expand this initiative to include at least 30 farmers in the future. Additionally, we have started cultivating 11 varieties of paddy.	Importance of Cultivating These Varieties of Paddy Seeds Organic Cultivation Practices: These paddy varieties are predominantly cultivated using organic methods, requiring minimal to no chemical fertilizers or pesticides. While they may be of lower productivity compared to modern high-yield varieties, their cultivation is crucial for local food security and should be promoted among local farmers through supportive policy measures.   Cultural Heritage and Biodiversity: Indigenous paddy seeds are a vital part of cultural heritage, embodying the knowledge and wisdom of indigenous communities. Preserving these seeds safeguards biodiversity, ensuring the survival of unique plant varieties.   Global Food Security: Rice is one of the world’s most important crops, feeding nearly half of the global population, particularly in Asia. Its cultivation demands significant water resources and a warm climate. Indigenous paddy seeds are crucial because they adapt well to marginal conditions, making them essential for resilient agriculture and sustainable food systems in the face of climate change.   Nutritional Value: These seeds are rich in antioxidants, making them highly nutritious. Their inclusion in the diet contributes to better health and well-being for the local population.
Promoting Dhaincha Cultivation	Till date 18 bigha land already cultivated
Promote Pond Rejuvenation	166 pond already Rejuvenated	Mukti’s Pond Rejuvenation Project aims to support the community members of Nagendrapur and Kankandighi Gram Panchayat by addressing their need for safe and clean water. This initiative involves both rejuvenating old ponds and creating new ones to tackle various issues such as improving irrigation, solving water crises, enhancing health and hygiene, generating alternative livelihoods, and contributing to environmental well-being. By ensuring a reliable water source for agriculture and promoting alternative cropping methods, the project addresses water scarcity and creates economic opportunities for locals through activities like fish farming. Additionally, access to clean water is vital for maintaining good health and hygiene, thereby significantly improving the quality of life for the residents of these communities.
Promoting Crop Rotation-Based Vegetable and Fruit Farming	Most farmers involved in MUKTI’s NIA program are now aware of the crop rotation process.
Distribution of fruits and medicinal plants to promote a healthy and eco-friendly environment	Mukti has launched a model medicinal plant garden, where we have initiated the cultivation of 13 different types of medicinal plants.	We have distributed 1,000 Kathali bananas to 25 beneficiaries.
BIOGAS installation	We have already initiated the construction of a brick model biogas chamber.	A master trainer from the Central Government’s Biogas Department has already visited us and commenced the installation process.
Trainer of Trainee	Our farmers and staff have already conducted training programs on agriculture for farmers from other organizations.
Emphasizing the importance of animal husbandry by promoting the rearing of chicks, hens, and rabbits.	We have already distributed 725 animals, including chicks, hens, and rabbits, to 25 beneficiaries.

 

Upcoming Plans:

1. Aquaculture: Expand fishery operations to include sweetwater, saline water, and local fish varieties such as Singi, Mangur, and Leta.
2. Animal Husbandry: Increase production of native chicken breeds (Turkey, Koroknath, Koyel, Sourangi, Titiri, etc.) at the village level.
3. Paddy Cultivation: Enhance the cultivation of traditional paddy seeds.
4. Dhanche Cultivation: Boost the cultivation of Dhaincha from the next season.
5. Seed Bank: Establish a comprehensive seed bank for diverse crop varieties.
6. Tissue Culture Banana Nursery: Set up a nursery for tissue culture banana saplings.
7. Organic Products: Expand the availability of organic products in major cities.
8. Farmers’ Production: Increase supply from our own farmers’ production.
9. Biogas Chamber: Implement rubber bladder biogas chambers for sustainable energy solutions.

In conclusion, I would like to express my gratitude to all our farmers, who ensure that our fundamental need for food is met. With the growing awareness among the youth about agriculture, we anticipate more students will pursue advanced studies and research in this field, leading to improved agricultural yields and a better quality of life for our farmers.

Biplab Bramha

(Program Manager  – Agriculture)