Agriculture 101

Last week’s trip to Karnataka was all about the farmers. Karnataka is dry region, where villagers depend entirely on the land for their livelihood. Apparently, around 30 years ago, Indian farmers only worked with traditional methods. However, this has changed recently, especially after the initiation of the Green Revolution. Farmers began to adopt pesticide in large doses, and neglected the more labor-intensive organic methods. Although, the output initially increased, the insects gradually became resistant to the pesticide, so a few years later, agriculture output started falling, even below pre-revolution standards. And many farmers, finding the cost of pesticide too expensive to sustain, has abandoned their field in search of coolie labor work. The traditional methods of farming have been forgotten, but they are actually quite simple, and able to eliminate about 80% of the insects. Step one, during summer season (autumn in America) when insects breed, the soil is tilled and turned, destroying the larvae by exposing them to the sun. Step two, a mound is built around the field as a physical barrier against any hungry creepy-crawlers. Step three, trees are cultivated which will attract the insects’ natural enemies. Two strips of marigold are also planted in each field. Their bright colors distract the insects from the crops. Easy right? Now you can try it at home. A man I met there works with an NGO to try to reintroduce these methods to the region.

DPG is also working to redevelop traditional methods to solve agricultural shortages, but they are specifically targeting prevalent drought problems in the area. Because Karnataka is completely landlocked and very hilly, farmers are unable to retain enough water for their crops. DPG helps them to raise some of the capital to shape their land to fix this problem. The farmlands are cut into bunds along the hills, lined with soil to keep the water from running. Around the farm, they build ponds and watersheds, which capture the water for use during droughts. These ponds also increase water-saturation in the soil, and raise water-level in wells. The staff in this area are intensely dedicated. They have a 12-hour work-day, spending the morning walking 500 hectares and the evenings conducting self-help group meetings.









The nursery is where crops begin their life-cycle. In this one, the farmer planted beds of baby tomato plants. Can you tell which one is the genetically engineered breed?


This is called Pongamia. It reaps nuts which can be used for alternative energy

Tamarind plant

Potato harvesting

Spicy Chilli. This plant is the most suitable for growing in dry areas

Farmers thread dried grape leaves together into plates. After dinner, these can be thrown into the field as fertilizer for the crops.

Merrygolds

Rice paddies, a heftier breed that requires less water

A pond constructed on common land

The concrete damn turned this once dry area into a swamp

Unfarmed dryland











The project leaders

Hema, my guide and translator, was the most giggly Indian I’ve met so far. One night after work, she dressed me up in her sari and we strutted around her place. Then, we moved to her neighbor’s place, and strutted around some more.