Chemical Free Farming
Our ancients farmed with cheerful gusto. There was an abundance and similar times are manifest now. Sense has returned to mankind. The land which gave aplenty no matter the season, no matter the population, still retains those budding qualities. And we have begun to experience the bounty of nature and turn back to chemical free farm practises.
Understanding Nature's profound science has now obviated the need for heavy mechanisation or of splurging on pharmaceutical produce. Just delving into the ways of respectful, caring, and sensible farming has begun to restore the nutrients in the grains, pulses, fruits and vegetables, and made our ground water pure!
Another Wonder of Chemical Free Farming
Bangalore Ashram, India
After the Ashtavakra session, a farmer from a village of Uttar Pradesh, India, came up with another wonder of chemical free farming. He took chemical free seeds from the ‘Art of Living’ seed bank. Initially, he was little apprehensive in using natural seeds and switching to chemical free farming, without making use of urea. But, he was happy and satisfied with the results obtained: Chemical free natural seed has generated 58 grains per wheat spike as compared to only 28 grains per spike in case of using chemically treated seeds.
3 June 2010,
Sri Sri later shared with everyone the harmful effects of using crops generated by chemical farming, which includes aches in different body parts and accumulation of toxins in the body. He continued to say that switching to chemical free farming is really important to keep the future generation disease free, and spreading awareness about this is also part of spirituality.
"Agriculture is the backbone of human existence. For any civilisation to prosper, agriculture has to be healthy and sustainable. We need to get our focus back on agriculture which is the primary industry. Our earth has plenty for everyone. We only have to manage its resources well. "
- H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
To help farmers develop their crop and become economically self-reliant, the Art of Living Foundation organizes innovative agricultural workshops. They are trained to choose indigenous seeds and crops which are best suited to the local soil and climate. The farmers are further trained to develop, dry, preserve , store and pack seeds for use by other farmers as well. Villages allocate small plots for demonstration of methods of organic farming and seed development.
The Foundation also propagates another indigenous plant called the Lakshmi Taru. This is a medicinal tree with high oil content, high in nitrogen, and insect resistant wood.
Social Transformation: Farmers turn to Natural Farming Techniques
Around 500 farmers from 25 districts and over 100 villages pledged to stay away from chemical farming and vowed to stick to natural farming techniques for better health and environment at Art of Living’s workshop on ‘Zero Budget Natural Farming’ in Jaipur, India on June 26, 2008. This workshop was organized as the first step of ‘Mission Green Earth’ and was in collaboration with Bhartiya Kissan Sangh, Swadeshi Jagran Manch, Rajasthan Goseva Aayog and Rajasthan State Agriculture Mktg. Board.
From agricultural planning to agricultural commerce, all were a part of extensive discussions during the workshop. Farmers were educated on the ill effects of chemicals in farming techniques and how natural farming techniques help in improving soil fertility and better yield of chemical free, organic crops thereby improving the economics of farming.
"I have tremendously benefited from these techniques. Now I can sleep peacefully as my crops can sustain extreme climatic conditions as well", said Krishan Jakhar, an agriculturist from Hanumangarh, who is one of the 1,20,000 farmers across the country who have adopted these methods.
