Speaker: Mr. Santosh Kaulagi
The speaker began by recounting the history of life on earth. The earth is 460 crore years old. If we compressed this time into 46 years, human being emerged only 4 hours ago. Industrial revolution is barely a minute old. In that one minute thousands of species have been wiped out, human population itself has increased from 126 crores to 675 crores – five times its original size and wealth differences between the rich and the poor have increased by 500 times. Basically all forms of live have the right to exist. Human activity is speeding up the destruction of life on earth. We do not know the value of each of the living creatures and if they become extinct – we may lose something forever. Documented species in the world are about 2.5 lakhs of which 10-15000 vanish every year. Historically human beings have eaten over 7000 species of plants – but if we look at our diets today they are dominated by about 20 species (rice, wheat, corn, potato, tomato, etc.). Instead of stressing on a varied diet for people (which means more species of plants must be grown), scientists are busy developing ideas like the Vitamin A rice (where a pregnant woman has to eat 5 kg of rice to get the daily required dosage). There is a lack of holistic thinking.
Biodiversity on farms: Tribal farmers continue to grow over 45 species on every acre of farmland; they can grow enough for all seasons all year round. This is good for the economy. There is visible biodiversity and there is soil biodiversity (microorganisms in the soil). Mixed cropping helps manage pests and diseases and increases soil fertility. The speaker gave ideas on crop planning that incorporated several species on land. One was a permaculture design for banana – which also included pumpkin, drumstick, papaya, and tur, and velvet bean as green manure. He described methods of green manuring and mulching on paddy land. He also responded to queries on paddy yields under organic cultivation.
Food security of the world’s population is now in the hands of a few corporations. Today’s definition of a farmer is that of a ‘grower’- not a ‘breeder of species’. With the new Seed Act – it will be illegal for farmers to sell seeds – as it hurts the interests of these large corporations. The speaker urged participants to see organic farming as a political tool. Seed savers are frontline soldiers in this political movement. |
