Category Archives: Green Initiatives / Environment

US lizards set to get city treats

November 25, 2014Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, World Opinionadmin

Silkworms from Bengaluru will soon be reared in the US as pet food for lizards and other reptiles

A US company will be importing silkworm eggs from Bengaluru to grow them as pet food. A professor from the University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS) is felicitating the initiative and earlier this month helped in selecting the ideal way to farm mulberry plants in Louisiana, US. The silkworms will not be used for producing silk but become feed for exotic pet lizards in the US.

Dr BL Chidananda, an associate professor at the department of animal sciences, visited insect breeder ‘Mulberry Farms’ which are setting up the first silkworm breeding centre in Ringgold, Louisiana. It is the only company in the US to be granted permission by the US department of agriculture to import the silkworm eggs from India.

Speaking to Mirror, Chidananda said, “Mulberry cultivation was in troduced to the US in the late 18th Century. It was cultivated in Louisiana, Florida and California, but it never took off. Now this company that produces pet foodd wants to grow silkworms, especially for pets like lizards and other reptiles. Since silkworms are domesticated they can be reared for pet foodd. However, the problem with the whole thing is the mulberry plant, which is the sole food of silkworms, they do not grow well in the US due to the extreme weather. The company tried to grow mulberry in California but found it very uneconomical.” Chidananda has suggested growing mulberry for silkworms in polyhouses. Chidananda did the needful by studying the weather patterns in the farm at Ringgold, Louisiana.

“I have suggested cultivation of mulberry in poly-houses for six months of the year. It cannot be done in winter. Poly-house cultivation of mulberry will not be economical in India. Unlike India, the mulberry leaves will not be fed fresh to the silkworms. They will be ground into dry powder and used as feed for silkworms later. For six months, the plants will be pruned and capped.This is the way Bengaluru silkworms will be reared in the US very shortly.”

The company is already into insect farming and grows cricket and armyworms.

Silkworm pupae are indirectly and directly consumed by people as well. In some places in India, silkworm feed is replacing fish feed in poultry. Chidananda said, “Littleknown is the fact that pupae are also a delicacy in some parts of India.”

source: http://www.bangaloremirror.com / BangaloreMirror / Home> Bangalore> Others / by Shyam Prasad S , Bangalore Mirror Bureau / November 24th, 2014

Hundreds of farmers attend workshop on ‘Zero Budget Natural Farming’

November 25, 2014Green Initiatives / Environment, Natureadmin

Natural farming proponent Subhash Palekar (fifth from left) is seen releasing the books as Natural Farming Convener Prasanna Murthy, Janachethana Trust President Prasanna N. Gowda, Kuvempu University former VC Dr. Chidananda Gowda, MLA Puttanaiah, former Speaker Dr. Krishna, Naisargika Krushi Andolana President D.R. Patil, author Raju B. Kannali, Natural Farmer Bannur Krishnappa and KRRS & Hasiru Sene General Secretary Badagalapura Nagendra look on.

Mysuru :

A five-day workshop on ‘Zero Budget Natural Farming’ by Natural farming proponent Subhash Palekar, hailing from Belora village in Maharashtra and known for his books on Zero Budget Natural Farming, began this morning at Kalamandira in city. The workshop is being held under the joint auspices of Janachethana Trust, Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha (KRRS) and Rural Development Organisation.

More than 1,200 people, including farmers from Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Haryana, Orissa and other States, are participating in the workshop.

The workshop was inaugurated by the former Speaker Krishna.

‘Naisargika Krishi Beeja,’ a book authored by Raju B. Kannali was released by Subhash Palekar while ‘Dhanvantari Chikitse Chitra Roopaka’ authored by Subhash Palekar was released by Prof. K. Chidananda Gowda, former Vice-Chancellor of Kuvempu University.

D.R. Patil, President, Naisargika Krushi Andolana, Karnataka, speaking on the occasion, said: “Nowadays lot of farmers are spoiling the soil by using chemicals in order to increase the yield. We should stop using chemicals and move into the path of Natural farming.”

Prasanna N. Gowda, President, Janachetana Trust, Mysuru, in his keynote address, urged those participating in the five-day workshop to take an oath to follow Palekar’s methodology of Natural Farming cent percent.

The workshop aims at introducing nature-friendly farming, controlling of pollution resulting from different forms of farming, introducing natural farming to the farmers who have incurred heavy debts due to unscientific farming, using of Indian seeds keeping in mind the environment balance and to encourage breeding of Indian cattle.

H.P. Ravikumar (Devegowda) of Aralahalli in Pandavapura; Gangadhara Siddaramappa Chincholi of Shindagi in Vijapura, Satyanna of Sagara and M.G. Yogananda Swamy of Tipaturu were felicitated on the occasion along with mementos and a cheque of Rs. 5,000 each.

K.S. Puttannaiah, Chandrashekhar Kadadi, Badagalapura Nagendra and others were present. The workshop will conclude on Nov.23.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / Wedesday , November 19th, 2014

Wildlife enthusiasts capture the ‘unsung story’ of Bhadra

November 20, 2014Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Records, All, World Opinionadmin

Bengaluru :

Braving mating tigers, crocodiles in water, bison moving around huge trees and pythons slithering on grass, a team of wildlife enthusiasts from Bengaluru have captured the beautiful flora and fauna of the Bhadra tiger reserve.
The Unsung is the first documentary film on the forest spread across Chikmagalur and Shivamogga, which was declared the country’s 25th tiger reserve in 1998.

According to Prashanth S Nayaka, director and team leader, the 37-minute documentary narrates an untold story of a silent movement deep inside one of the most pristine jungles of Karnataka. “Besides showcasing the untainted beauty of Bhadra, the film follows the footsteps of forest guards who protect the reserve with dedication and passion.”

The team members are Pradip Shastry, CJ Anil, Hulivan Nagaraj, Prashanth Nageshappa, Vinod Reddy, Sharath and Chethan.

“It was tough making a movie covering 500 sqkm of forest. We started our work in October 2013 and completed it in May 2014. We worked for nearly 122 days shooting, facing tigers and elephants deep inside the jungle. We had to shoot at night for several days. Usually, tigers moved at nights as they are nocturnal. There were snakes on our way also. We saw an Indian rock python, bears, gaurs and many other animals,” says Prashanth.

The documentary has also captured the beautiful streams, rivulets, waterfalls, thick clouds, humming of birds, bamboo and teak trees that thrive under the watchful eyes of the forest department.

The original name of the area was Jaagara valley, but changed to Bhadra wildlife reserve in 1974.

Today, 36 anti-poaching camps protect the tiger reserve, with jeeps patrolling day and night and forest watchers covering nearly 15 km on foot. “Once, I noticed a tiger at very close range. I did not know what to do. I just stood still and stared at it for five minutes. It quietly left,” recalls Govindaraj, watcher, anti-poaching camp.

The film has commentary in English (Pradeep Shastry) and Kannada (Prakash Kumar). The music has been composed by C J Anil.

According to Prashanth, the film aims to create awareness among public about the need to protect forests and animals. “We have not taken money from anyone for the project. The team members pooled in money and spent nearly Rs 1.5 lakh. We plan to screen the documentary in schools and colleges. The intention is to convey the message that guarding forests is as important as guarding our nation.”

QUOTE

They have done a nice documentary on the problems faced by frontline staff in forests. The focus of the film is different from what one generally does. They have brought out a CD and we are ready to distribute copies in schools and colleges. It is a fine attempt.

—Vinay Luthra | principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife), karnataka

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> Environment> Flora & Fauna / GS Kumar, TNN / November 09th, 2014

GI tag for Veerangere Badanekaayi soon

November 20, 2014Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Records, Alladmin

The five-year long wait for Geographical Indicator (GI) tag for Veerangere Badanekaayi or brinjal, the distinct horticulture produce of Mysuru district, may soon end.

The State Horticulture Department will expedite the process for acquiring the tag.

At a recent meeting of the screening committee constituted for this purpose, it was decided to exert pressure on the authorities concerned to grant the prestigious tag.

The eponymous crop was earlier grown in Veerangere, a village in Old Mysuru, named after a gallant soldier in the army of the erstwhile rulers, the Wadiyars of Mysuru.

The brinjal variety popularly known as ‘Veerangere or Eerangere Badanekaayi’, is still available in two types – snuff and green coloured, but very short in length akin to the fingers. When compared to the other varieties of brinjal, Veerangere brinjal during harvest is in bunches, with every flower of the plant, after the sprouting season, producing four to five brinjals in a bunch. It is mostly used as a side dish and especially in ‘Vaangi Baath’, a rice dish.

Though there has been a fall in production and supply, the vegetable has its own steady stream of customers.

Horticulture department senior director Krishna Kumar told Deccan Herald that the proposal was pending from 2009. It was listed among the second batch, along with the crops from other districts in the State.

The State Directorate of Horticulture is expected to give it a push, with the delay in getting the tag being a matter of concern, as discussed in the recent meeting in Bengaluru.

The crop earlier grown on a vast area, in and around Veerangere, was later shifted to other places within the district. While the rapid urbanisation at Veerangere, now sporting a ghetto look, took a toll on the crop, the inhabitants of the village, who had inherited brinjal farming, continued to cultivate it near Bannur and T Narsipur, Krishnaraje Urs, a horticulture enthusiast said.

According to Urs, the brinjal may now be cultivated in less than 15 acres near Keelanpura and Megalapura on Mysore-T Narsipur Road, and the supply too is limited to Devaraja Market, roadside vendors and some vegetable shops having regular demand for the vegetable, in Mysuru.

The geographical indications registry comes under the purview of General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks, Chennai. Once a proposal is placed before the registry, personnel attached to the registry are expected to make a field study.

The field visit in this case is yet to happen, while the proposal is pending before the registry.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State / by Sreekantswamy B, Mysuru / DHNS – November 19th, 2014

A home turns power-generating station in Bengaluru

November 19, 2014Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Records, All, Science & Technologyadmin

A house in HSR Layout has become the first and smallest solar power-generating station in the country after the Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (Bescom) signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) with the house owner on Monday.

The residence of Lalitha Shankaranarayana now generates about eight units of solar power per day and can export up to five units per day to the grid, on a sunny day.

After years of delay and debate, Bescom has now taken a big leap in encouraging micro-power producers by signing an agreement with Lalitha on November 17.

With this, Bescom, too, has become the first electricity supply company in the country to encourage green energy production in households by entering into a full-fledged PPA.

“The implementation of the rooftop power plant has been delayed for a long time, but this is a significant step and the Bescom is credit-worthy,” said Ravi Shankar Satyanarayana, son-in-law of Lalitha, an IITian and the person responsible for setting up the plant.

According to the agreement, the household will supply power at a cost of Rs 9.56 per unit as fixed by the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission. Bescom has agreed to procure power from the house for 25 years. The agreement can be terminated at the will of the seller.

To encourage more people, Bescom has said it will pay interest to the sellers, if it fails to credit the money for power supplied within 30 days of pumping energy into the grid. House owners can also lease out their rooftops for generation of solar energy.

The house has solar power plant with a generating capacity of two kilowatts. It was taken up as a pilot project by Bescom in 2011.

The power supplied free of cost to the grid was produced using nano rooftop solar photovoltaic systems.

After the first PPA, Bescom on Tuesday signed four more PPAs with homeowners in Bengaluru, where pilot projects were taken up in 2013.

Pankaj Kumar Pandey, managing director, Bescom, told Deccan Herald that they hope to add at least five megawatt of power by end of the financial year. “The response is good and we already have 120 applications till Monday. People in the City being more green conscious are collecting more applications,” Pandey said.

With the City still growing and receiving 300 days of sunshine, there is potential to generate solar power through rooftop plants, he said.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> City / by Subhash Chandra NS, Bengaluru / DHNS – November 18th, 2014

City’s Institution of Engineers now powered by Solar Energy

November 12, 2014Green Initiatives / Environment, Science & Technologyadmin

Mysuru :

The much-delayed project to make Mysuru a model solar city is gearing up slowly though not steadily since past 5 years. Street lights and other solar projects are being taken up by the MCC to make the city environment-friendly. Adding to the lineup, Chief Minister Siddharamaiah inaugurated the solar power plant yesterday at the Institution of Engineers (IE) in city.

The Institution, to mark its Golden Jubilee year 2014 – 15, has come up with a 10 KW Solar Power Plant under the Model Solar City Programme of National Solar Mission Programme of National Climate Change action plan.

Speaking to SOM, Dr. T.H. Udayashankara, Professor, Department of Environmental Engineering and also the present Chairman of the Institution, said that there could be no other way to mark the Golden Jubilee year of the institution.

“This is the first ever solar project in city which comes directly under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) Subsidy programme. There are 42 solar panels on the roof of the building which provides uninterrupted power supply to 60 batteries of each having a capacity of 300 Ah,” Udayashankara added while explaining about the solar power plant.

M. Lakshmana, the past Chairman of IE, who was also present on the occasion told SOM that they were really proud to be part of this Model Solar City Programme. “It took nearly 12 – 14 months to come up with this solar power project. It will be helping us in reducing nearly 80% of our power consumption,” he added.

Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Ltd. Engineer Dinesh Kumar said that the whole project was undertaken by MRO-Tek of Bengaluru at a cost of Rs. 19 lakh and Rs.5.70 lakh was subsidised by the MNRE.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / Thursday, November 06th, 2014

The Man Who Is Solving Some Of India’s Biggest Agriculture Problems With His Simple Inventions

November 9, 2014Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Science & Technologyadmin

Girish Badragond, a 28 year old guy from Bijapur District came to Bangalore in 2006 with a laptop, a wireless router and one way bus fare. Now, after six years he is a partner at Santepp Systems, a fast growing technocrat proprietary firm in the field of agricultural technology manufacture.

“Ever since I was a child, I loved playing with the machines. My first experience in machine was when I dismantled my cousin’s watch and fixed it again,” Badragond says.

As we walk inside his office, the light switches on automatically and turns off as soon as we leave the room. His eyes sparkle as he talks about the sensors in his office space. “This saves around 60 percent of the energy,” he says.

When he first moved to Bangalore, he had no money with him. He stayed with his friends for a couple of days and then found a room on sharing basis. With the help of an old DTH antenna he enhanced his router and sold the bandwidth upto 10 kms and earned some money.

SSLC pass Badragond didn’t get an opportunity to study further but this didn’t come in the way of his dreams. When he was in High school, he could easily do projects like making an inverter, power supplier etc. for engineering students.

Supported by NABARD and NIF, Santepp Systems, provides simple solutions to various agricultural needs. Some of his inventions include-

Bore well Scanners

Studying underground water has never been easier. The Borewell scanners have a camera with flash and180 degree rotation in horizontal space. The equipment can click pictures, check inflow and outflow of the water.

“It also checks whether the borewell has stagnant water. There is no point digging a borewell when there is no proper inflow of water as it is waste of money,” says Badragond.

Bore well scanners can also check for leakages and holes.

Advanced Mode Micro irrigation system

This unique irrigation controller helps you to operate the pump sets and irrigation valves from remote places without physically being there.

Micro irrigation controller regulates the flow of water and feeds water to plants to the extent of their requirement. There by water wastage is minimized and available water is put to max usage.

“Drip irrigation sometimes leads to excess water to the crops which spoils the crop, while this system works according to the crops’ needs,” says Badragond.

The solar sensors are inserted in the soil at various places, these sensors send signal to the unit. The unit will automatically turn on the motor for water flow according to the priority and turn off after the requirement is fulfilled.

The system can cover over 10 acres of land and costs Rs. 1.5 lakhs. The basic version of the machine covers 2-3 acres of land and costs Rs. 20, 000-Rs.25,000.

Bandragond has also developed an android app for the system.

Bird Repeller

This equipment with eight speakers and a timer repels the bird through various noises. The farms are located in outskirts of the village and noises won’t trouble the villagers. The main unit is kept near an electric point. It also has 3 days battery backup.

Urban Terrace Gardening

You are going on a vacation with no one to look after your garden? This equipment by Bandragond switches on the water flow every day at prescribed time and stops after a certain time. The system costs Rs.5,000.

These are just a few of the many incredible innovations this brilliant man has up his sleeve. For more information about his inventions, please contact Girish: +91 9902133996 or email him: info@santepp.com

source: http://www.thebetterindia.com / The Better India / Home> Innovations> Agriculture / by Shreya Pareek / May 26th, 2014

Israeli tech whets once-barren farm

November 3, 2014Amazing Feats, Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Science & Technology, World Opinionadmin

Dry farming techniques gave a new twist to organic farming on this land

Sunita Prabhakar, director, Gopalan Organics, is today proud about the manner Israeli technique of dry farming helped her team to turn around the 100-acre barren land to grow organic crops for exports

Away from the hustle and bustle of Bangalore city areas, in Uttari and surrounding villages, falling under Kagalipura post, a silent socio-agronomics revolution, inspired and propelled by Israeli farming techniques, is slowly gaining momentum. Spearheading the campaign from a 100-acre organic farm is one young entrepreneur, a graduate in environmental science and in her 30s, determined to make organic a mass movement.

Every morning before the crack of dawn a vehicle leaves the organic farm and reaches out to the adjacent villages to pick up enterprising men and women for training in production of organically grown vegetables and high-value export quality herbs like basil, chives, sage, tarragon, rosemary, parsley, thyme, mint etc. at the sprawling organic farm located in the foothills of the nearby Uttari Hills.

“After training in organic farming, many of them have begun growing organic vegetables. We purchase their produce after ascertaining their quality. Some of these organic vegetables are sold at our Gopalan Organics outlet at Old Madras Road in Bangalore. A portion of the produce makes it to the export markets in Dubai and European markets after stringent quality checks”, says Sunita Prabhakar, the brain behind the grassroots organic farming movement. “My mission is to remove the elitist tag off organic vegetables and make them available to common households at affordable rates. After all everyone is entitled to organically grown, healthy, chemical fertilizer and pesticides free farm produce,” explains Director of Gopalan Organics, Sunita Prabhakar, who started her organic unit in 2003, in what was then a barren land, bought by her real estate developer husband’s family in Bangalore heading the ‘Gopalan Enterprises’.

However, although today the organic vegetables and culinary herbs company exports dry, natural herbs and fresh vegetables to a large number of markets in Western Europe and Dubai respectively and employs over 200 workforce including farmers, agronomists and agricultural scientists, 10 years ago when Sunita threw the idea of starting her organic venture on the rocky, godforsaken land, many did not take her seriously.

She had seen for herself how Israelis mastered the art of dry agriculture with minimal use of water. She was determined to bring the technology to India.

The conviction and determination paid off.

In the summer of 2000 a group of Israeli dry farming experts from Netafim Irrigation System landed at the barren, undulated rocky piece of land.

They examined the prospect of turning it into fertile land for growing organically produced vegetables, herbs and fruits. A mammoth and uphill task awaited them as for the next six months they devoted their time in preparing, planning and executing the organic farm project.

It took another year for the first crop to grow at the newly developed farm.

Alongside Israeli advanced farm management expertise in water conserving irrigation, desalination, and compost enriching the farm, Sunita also adopted biodynamic farming methods pioneered by Australian thinker Rudolf Steiner to grow crops both inside temperature-control green houses and in the open fields, applying scientific soil testing methods for optimum yield per acre.

A network of drip irrigation pipes and sprinklers were laid both inside the green houses and in the open farm land.

The farm land was bifurcated for growing crops under controlled climatic conditions inside the green-houses, and tunnels in the open. “Those days very few people were doing organic farming. There was hardly any infrastructural or technical support available in the country to do dry organic farming. The greatest challenge was to export the basic infrastructure from Israel and then transport them to this remote village from Bangalore Airport. But we managed it all,” says Sunita.

The organic farm today produces 800 to 900 Metric Tonnes of vegetables and fresh and dry culinary herbs under the brand name of ‘Naturale’.

“Of the total volume, we exports 300 to 400 MT of mainly fresh and dry herbs to Germany, Amsterdam, Vienna, Munich, Frankfurt, Belgium, etc. places. To ensure strict adherence to European quality control norms, the vegetables and fresh herbs undergo tests at all levels- from farmland to packaging table-at the analytical lab.

Scientific soil analysis and preparation, soil-enriching using organic manure, plant analysis, bio-degradable poly packaging, processing and storing to retain temperature levels are undertaken,” says K Babu, the agricultural scientist at the farm. Babu further said for the protection of crop bio agents and other Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices were being followed as against indiscriminate use of harmful chemical pesticides. Each consignment can also be tracked back right down to the date and green house in which it was grown.

Sunita explains: “To ensure freshness of the produce till they are handed over to customers in Germany and other European countries an uninterrupted cold chain from farm to the customer is maintained. The produce is subjected to pre-cooling treatment that increases the shelf life and reduces break down of the nutrients. The air-conditioned pack houses are equipped with all necessary equipment and facilities in consonance with international standards.”

Sunita, who has visited organic farms in Europe, feels the government must support adoption of automation and IT to streamline and modernise organic farming.

DRY FARMING

It is a type of farming practised in arid areas without irrigation or with drip irrigation and maintaining a fine surface tilth or mulch that protects the natural moisture of the soil from evaporation. Dryland farming involves quite a struggle to set the crop cycle going.

HOW AND WHERE IT ORIGINATED

Dry farming originated in the 19th century in the Great Plains of USA to accelerate production of certain crops, most notably wheat. It should be practised in areas where rainfall averages less than twenty inches a year. Hardy Webster Campbell, a South Dakota homesteader, invented a subsoil packer circa 1890 and thereafter operated demonstration farms for railroads. By the end of the century dry farming was championed as the solution to the agricultural problems of the Great Plains.
(Source: Encyclopaedia of Oklahama History and Culture)

source: http://www.bangaloremirror.com / Bangalore Mirror / Home> Others> Sci-Tech / Agencies / by Dipankar Chakraborty / October 29th, 2014

Natural farming should be given top priority for a better India

October 28, 2014Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Natureadmin

Intro:

Natural Farming and Organic products are becoming popular at a fast pace in Mysore, thanks to R. Swamy Anand, State Convener of Karnataka State Natural Farming Movement and a resident of Jayalakshmipuram in City, who has made this happen by his sheer dedication, determination, consumer awareness programmes, workshops & seminars on Natural Farming and through his Green Shop ‘Hasiru.’

Originally from H.D. Kote taluk, Swamy moved to Mysore to pursue his Master’s degree. When Swamy was pursuing his Master’s, he had written an article on Taraka Dam and sent it to ‘Lankesh Pathrike.’ The editor of ‘Lankesh Pathrike’ was so impressed by the article that he not only published it but also appointed Swamy Anand as a journalist for ‘Lankesh Pathrike’ where Swamy Anand worked for 15 years.

Swamy Anand has also written a book in Kannada on Natural Farming.The book was awarded Karnataka Sahitya Akademi award in the year 2005 and nearly 65,000 copies of the book were sold. Swamy Anand is married to L. Geetha and the couple have three children. SOM spoke to Swamy Anand about his experience with Natural farming, Organic farming , Organic products and his shop Hasiru. Excerpts…

by Arafat Ahmed Aizaz

SOM: You were a Journalist. What made you take up Natural and Organic Farming as a profession?

Swamy Anand: I worked as a Journalist because of my writing skills. But I had more interest in Agriculture as my great grandfather, grandfather and father were all farmers. I knew what hardships farmers face and hence wanted to do something better for the farming fraternity. Farmers work hard but they do not know how to market their products in a better way. So I started ‘Hasiru’ to help farmers to market their products and to get them better price for their products. One more reason is “I love the traditional agriculture system – Natural Farming.”

SOM: How does your shop ‘Hasiru’ help farmers in getting better price?

Swamy Anand: I started ‘Hasiru’ in April, 2011. Since then, farmers directly approach me with their organic products and quote a rate for which their produce need to be sold. I will keep a very minimal margin on the rate quoted by them and will sell it at my shop, thus helping them in getting good price for their products.

SOM: How do you justify that Organic products are better than the products which are grown or made using chemicals?

Swamy Anand: Organic products are better in taste and have more nutrients. They are safe, non-poisonous and save the environment. Organic products are free from chemicals, artificial manure and artificial colours. Hence organic products are better when compared to those grown using chemicals.

SOM: You say that Organic products are non-poisonous. Do you mean to say that vegetables and fruits which are sold for lesser rates in the market are poisonous?

Swamy Anand: Yes, they are poisonous because they are grown by using chemicals and urea. They may not kill you immediately, but in the long run, they will create problems such as acidity, blood pressure and diabetes. Urea is highly dangerous. It not only spoils the soil but also creates health problems.

SOM: What are the activities conducted by ‘Hasiru’ in the recent past?

Swamy Anand: Hasiru has conducted Mango Mela, Grapes Mela, Millets Mela and Rajmudi Vaibhava – a mela where Rajmudi rice was sold.

SOM: Why did you name your shop as ‘Hasiru’?

Swamy Anand: One of my friends Sachidananda, an artiste, suggested me to name my shop as ‘Hasiru’ because I am a lover of agriculture and greenery.

SOM: Can you name some of the products you sell at Hasiru?

Swamy Anand: We sell organic Basmati brown rice, Organic Sonamasuri brown rice, Organic hand-made soaps, Organic teas, Organic coffee powder, Organic Foxtail millets & Little millets, Natural unprocessed forest honey, Organic Spirulina tablets, Organic perfumes, Organic wheat, Organic multi-grain malt, Organic Flax seeds, Desi ghee (Indian cow ghee) and many more. We get products from Ooty, Coorg, Maharashtra, Coastal Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and other places.

SOM: How is the response for Organic products in Mysore?

Swamy Anand: The response is very good in Mysore. We have customers’ support. We have customers of all ages who are concerned about health and most of our customers are factory workers, because factory workers need quality food to get more nutrients and energy to do physical work.

SOM: Do you have any unique product at ‘Hasiru’?

Swamy Anand: We have a unique product ‘Love Tea’ which is made by using Organic Roses, Chamomile, Lavender and other flowers. It warms the heart. Youths are buying ‘Love Tea’ at our shop in large quantity to gift their friends.

SOM: The fruits and vegetables grown by Natural Farming look exactly similar to those grown by Chemical Farming. How do you prove that the fruits and vegetables available at ‘Hasiru’ are naturally grown?

Swamy Anand: Both look alike. But the taste of naturally grown food products is really good compared to those grown by Chemical Farming. Those who consume foods which are grown naturally do not get acidity problems. We can take you to our farms and prove that no chemicals are being used by us. One can even pay a surprise visit to our farms and check out what we are doing. People who consume naturally grown food products on a regular basis can feel the difference between the food products grown by natural farming and those which are grown by Chemical Farming.

SOM: Poor people can’t afford to buy the food products grown by Natural Farming or Organic Farming as they are very costly. What do you say about this?

Swamy Anand: The food products grown by Natural or Organic Farming are costly because the yield is low in these two types of farming as chemicals are not used to kill the pests. They are completely free from chemicals.

SOM: Which State is doing well in Natural Farming in India?

Swamy Anand: Karnataka is doing well. In Mandya district, 200 small villages have been certified as Organic Villages. Natural Farming and Organic Farming have a better future in Karnataka.

SOM: What are the challenges being faced in Natural and Organic Farming?

Swamy Anand: The main challenge is the labour problem. Both Natural and Organic Farming need more skilled labours when compared to Chemical Farming. These days, very less people are ready to work in the fields.

SOM: Natural farming is an old method. Do you think it can give better yield like that of Chemical farming?

Swamy Anand: I agree that the yield in Natural Farming is low when compared to Chemical Farming, but the whole world can be fed by Natural Farming. Hence, we should stop Chemical Farming and completely move into the path of Natural Farming.

SOM: Would you like to give any message to the public?

Swamy Anand: Yes. Government is treating Natural Farming as an alternative to Chemical Farming. According to me, Natural Farming should be given top priority for a better India and everyone should support it.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Feature Articles / Wednesday , October 22nd, 2014

Farmer among five to get Rachana awards

October 23, 2014Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Green Initiatives / Environment, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Leaders, Records, Alladmin

Gabrial Stany Veigus lauded as agriculturist of the year

Farmer Gabrial Stany Veigus of Perar, a retired forest official who turned a 37-acre land into a model farm with innovative practices, is among five persons to receive the Rachana awards, instituted by Rachana, the Mangalore Catholic Chamber of Commerce and Industry, for 2014. Mr. Veigas has been recognised as Rachana agriculturist of the year for introducing sustainable farming practices.

He has planted 3,400 coconut saplings, mango, rambutan, cashew, grafted variety of jackfruit and breadfruit over the last 10 years and converted his land into a high-yielding agricultural plot. Jenette Pinto, a social activist from Mumbai and a professor of history who co-authored the book ‘Slavery in Portuguese India’ will receive the outstanding woman of the year award. Raphael Sequera has won the entrepreneur of the year award.

Anil Keith D’Cruz, a Mumbai-based Oncology surgeon, has won the professional of the year award and Ligoury D’Mello, chairman of the D’Mello group of companies, Oman has won the NRI entrepreneur of the year.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Mangalore / by Govind Belgaumkar / Mangalore – October 22nd, 2014

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