MAHATMA GANDHI UNIVERSITY

DEPARTMENT OF LIFELONG LEARNING AND EXTENSION

www.dllemgu.in
0481-2731560, 2731724, [email protected]

REPORT ON PROPAGATION OF ORGANIC FARMING

IN COLLEGES AND ADOPTED VILLAGES
ORGANIC FARMING

Organic farming system in India is not new and is being followed from ancient
time. It is a method of farming system which primarily aimed at cultivating the land
and raising crops in such a way, as to keep the soil alive and in good health by use
of organic wastes (crop, animal and farm wastes, aquatic wastes) and other
biological materials along with beneficial microbes (biofertilizers) to release nutrients
to crops for increased sustainable production in an eco friendly pollution free
environment.

As per the definition of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)

study team on organic farming “organic farming is a system which avoids or largely
excludes the use of synthetic inputs (such as fertilizers, pesticides, hormones, feed
additives etc) and to the maximum extent feasible rely upon crop rotations, crop
residues, animal manures, off-farm organic waste, mineral grade rock additives and
biological system of nutrient mobilization and plant protection”.
Need of Organic Farming

With the increase in population our compulsion would be not only to stabilize
agricultural production but to increase it further in sustainable manner. The scientists
have realized that the ‘Green Revolution’ with high input use has reached a plateau
and is now sustained with diminishing return of falling dividends. Thus, a natural
balance needs to be maintained at all cost for existence of life and property. The
obvious choice for that would be more relevant in the present era, when these
agrochemicals which are produced from fossil fuel and are not renewable and are
diminishing in availability. It may also cost heavily on our foreign exchange in future.

The key characteristics of organic farming include

• Protecting the long term fertility of soils by maintaining organic matter levels,
encouraging soil biological activity, and careful mechanical intervention

• Providing crop nutrients indirectly using relatively insoluble nutrient sources

which are made available to the plant by the action of soil micro-organisms

• Nitrogen self-sufficiency through the use of legumes and biological nitrogen

fixation, as well as effective recycling of organic materials including crop
residues and livestock manures

• Weed, disease and pest control relying primarily on crop rotations, natural
predators, diversity, organic manuring, resistant varieties and limited
(preferably minimal) thermal, biological and chemical intervention

• The extensive management of livestock, paying full regard to their

evolutionary adaptations, behavioural needs and animal welfare issues with
respect to nutrition, housing, health, breeding and rearing

• Careful attention to the impact of the farming system on the wider

environment and the conservation of wildlife and natural habitats

MAHATMA GANDHI UNIVERSITY-THE VISIONARY IN PROPAGATING

ORGANIC FARMING

Mahatma Gandhi University, Department of Lifelong Learning and Extension

is the first university department in Kerala to introduce a certificate Course in Organic
Farming. The proposal to start the course was at a time when the new findings in the
health sector is showing the alarming rate at which the life-threatening diseases
were spreading because of the use of chemically contaminated food. The purpose of
the course was to sensitise the general public about the threats that is approaching
and also to give them the sustainable solution that is moving towards Organic
Farming.

The curriculum itself was designed in a revolutionary manner. For the first
time the syllabus committee included a farmer to design the course along with the
academicians. This proves the different approach in the designing of the curriculum.

The course was well appreciated by the academic and practising sector. As a
result the there is a huge rush whenever a new batch is notified.

The course is designed in such a way that there is much room for the practical
aspect of learning Organic Farming. There are practical sessions in which the
making of unique organic manures is also demonstrated.

The student folk include all kinds of people-From the farmers to Doctors,
Engineers and Students.

Due to the increase in demand from the Alumni the Diploma in Organic
Farming Course was also introduced

A brief note on the Structure and functioning of the Courses in Organic Farming

INNOVATIVE TEACHING METHODS ADOPTED IN THE ORGANIC FARMING

COURSE

The teaching-learning format is non formal

Aim -a satisfactory, peaceful, safe, sustainable, beautiful, and free social

structure. The agriculture in that social structure is being taught in this organic
farming course. We need a complete change in the present system. We can
achieve the new social reformation if we can change the present food, health,
housing, family, art , job, technology, social law, to what is apt for the nature.
Organic farming is the new form of agriculture in the renovated social system.

The certificate and diploma course is designed and implemented bearing the
basic aim which is mentioned above. Our food is our medicine. The course is
designed giving due importance to practical and theory part of agriculture which
is nature friendly and which makes the people aware of the impending dangers
which can befall on mankind if we go against nature.
In the course, there are visit to farms which are using the organic farming
method. And also there is practical sessions on how to make organic manure and
how to organic farming. The course also sensitizes the students about the
present situation which is harming the whole earth. A better understanding of the
present situation is important in implementing the solution

Another aspect unique to the course is the forest camps which is not part of any
curriculum related to agriculture. That knowledge will enlighten the students to
use the idea of natural energy conservation and effective use of it.

The innovative teaching methodology which is unique to the course is based on

the seven principles of sustainable agriculture. They are

1. Naturality- The more natural the more sustainable.

2. Diversity-The more diverse the more sustainable

3. Re-Setability- The more re-setable design the more sustainable

4. Productivity- The more productive the more sustainable

5. Responsibility-The more responsible , the more sustainable

6. Mentality-The more Aware-the more sustainable

7. Activity- Based on the above, Activity will sustain

The above mentioned unique teaching method is implemented in the whole

course. One such example is the preparation of nursery soil. The principle which
is used is the second one- the more diverse the more sustainable. The virgin soil
which is found in the forest is prepared at the farm using natural methodology.
The virgin soil which is found in forests will take thousands of years to have the
present composition. The same is prepared using natural components like leaves
of plants and cow dung solution in just 60 days. This soil which is prepared
makes the farming more economic and sustainable. The more the diversity of the
leaf used the more sustainable will be the manure prepared. This innovative
technique is taught as part of the course and the preparation of the same is
implemented during the practical session.
Stepping Forward

As a result of the successful implementation of the course the thoughts to

spread the concept of Organic Farming and the urgent need of doing the same
caught the attention of the Department. Any change can be brought to the society
effectively if it is inculcated in the minds of the young generation. This thought was
converted into action and as a result the Department of Lifelong Long Learning and
Extension has submitted a project to the Govt.of Kerala to propagate Organic
Farming in 100 affiliated colleges and 100 partnership villages of the University.The
project was sanctioned.

Organic Farming in 100 Colleges and the 100 Partnership villages- Project by the
Department of Life Long Learning and Extension-A Brief Report

Department of Life Learning and Extension was entrusted with the task of
spreading Organic Farming among the 100 affiliated colleges under Mahatma
Gandhi University by the Govt. of Kerala. As per the proposal an initial amount of
Rs.14, 50000/- were given to the Department.

The project’s first initiative was to spread organic farming in the 100 affiliated
colleges. The trained resource persons have taken classes for the students in each
college about how to do organic farming. Theory and practical sessions were there.
The resource persons have helped the college to develop model organic farms. The
intended result was getting non polluted vegetables in colleges and also to train the
students in the practical aspects of farming. As a result the trained students have
initiated organic farming among their society in which they live.

The remuneration for the resource person and the expenditure for conducting
the classes were met from the project fund. The classes were conducted in the 100
partnership villages also. Organic clubs were formed. The handouts in connection
with the Organic farming were distributed among the students of the college. There
were classes in associated aspects of farming like organic manure making, rain
water pit making, and seed distribution etc. seminars and competitions were
conducted in colleges with the message of spreading organic farming. Students
have actively participated in all the competitions.

The literature in connection with Organic farming were distributed among the
students and partnership villages in the form of pamphlets, handouts etc. College
level harvest festival was conducted in the newly constructed model farms.
Exhibitions were conducted with the aim of selling the vegetables produced at the
model farms at the college level and all those were great success.

The second initiative of the project was to spread the message of Organic
farming among the 100 partnership villages of each NSS unit. That aim was
achieved through the seven days camp. Through the camp the resource persons
from the department has taken classes on Organic farming for the students and also
for the general public. The NSS volunteers, as part of the camps visit the homes in
the villages and they have sensitized the people about the need to shift to the
organic farming and also they have given pamphlets on the theme of Organic
Farming.

The colleges are conducting visits to Organic Farms mostly in connection with
the alumni of the Certificate Course in Organic Farming and thereby students have
got firsthand information on how the Organic Farming is done on larger scale.

The first phase of the project is over and the intended aim was successfully
achieved and the future plan is to start organic medicinal plants farm at the affiliated
colleges and the partnership villages. The initial phase of the data collection is
almost over and also the plan to implement a need based study among the colleges.

Awards and Recognitions

“Next to Excellence is the appreciation of it”-William Makepeace Thackarey

The Department of Lifelong Learning and Extension had been bestowed with
awards and appreciations from various Organizations for spreading Organic
Farming.
 Dr.K.Sabukuttan received the Prestigious Sarojini Damodaran Foundation
Award in 2013 and 2016

Dr.K.Sabukuttan, receiving the Sarojini Damodaran Foundation Award from

Sri.Ommen Chandy, in recognition of the remarkable efforts to promote and
popularize organic farming in the State by conducting Certificate Course in
Organic Farming and also for conducting seminars and Workshops about
Organic Farming
Dr.K.Sabukuttan receiving the Sarojini Damodaran Foundation Award from the
famous Malayalam Film Director Sri.Sathyan Anthikkad in recognition of his
innovative contribution in spreading Organic Farming in 100 affiliated Colleges
in 2016
 A note of Appreciation from the Erumeli Gramapanchayath
ramapanchayath

An appreciation certificate from the Village Panchayath, Erumeli, Kottayam for

spreading Organic Farming Literacy Programme in Erumeli Panchath in
association with the Department of Lifelong Learning and Extension.

Striving Towards the Mission

Department of Lifelong Learning and Extension is moving ahead with the

mission of spreading organic farming relentlessly. As a result the Govt.of Kerala has
entrusted with the mission to spread Organic Farming under Mahatma Gandhi
University by starting Inter University Centre for Organic Farming and Sustainable
Agriculture. Though the Inter University Centre is performing as a separate entity the
decision to start the Centre was the result of the Department’s tireless initiative in
spreading Organic Farming
 Gallery

Organic Farming activities @the various affiliated colleges