CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that the MOOC course entitled “ORGANIC FARMING” submitted by SUBIN P J to Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam to the partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the degree B.Ed in commerce is a bonafide work undertaken by him under my supervision and guidance at Adi Sankara Training College, Kalady during the academic year 2022-23.
Asst.
Prof. Dr. Anuroofa O. M.
MOOC
Coordinator
Adi Sankara Training College, Kalady
DECLARATION
I, SUBIN P J, do hereby declare that the MOOC course entitled “ORGANIC FARMING” submitted to Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam is an original work done by me under the guidance of Asst. Prof. Dr. Anuroofa O.M., MOOC Coordinator, for the partial fulfilment of the award of B.Ed degree in Commerce.
Place:
Kalady
SUBIN P J
Date: 30/06/2023
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I
express my deepest gratitude to the Almighty who showered his blessings upon me
to complete this project work.
I
wish to express my profound gratitude and heartfelt thanks to our principal
Dr.N K Arjunan for his encouragement and giving permission for this project.
I
am very much indebted to MOOC Coordinator Asst. Prof. Dr. Anuroofa O.M., who encouraged my efforts and gave
me valuable inputs.
I
am extremely grateful to my family and friends for the support given to me from
the very beginning to the end for the success of the project organic farming.
Kalady SUBIN P J
ABSTRACT
This project report commences with an
introduction to organic farming, emphasizing its significance and advantages in
the contemporary world. The subsequent section focuses on the "Materials
and Methods" employed, encompassing atmospheric conditions, types of manures
and fertilizers utilized, land preparation techniques, and pest management
strategies.
The project further includes a series of
tabular columns presenting data pertaining to plant stand establishment, crop
height, fruit count and weight, planting and harvesting dates, as well as
cumulative crop yield.
Organic farming serves as a vision for
fostering a harmonious coexistence with nature. I express my gratitude to MG
University and Adi Sankara Training College, Kalady, for affording me the
opportunity to participate in and gain a remarkable experience in the realm of
organic farming.
INDEX
|
SL. NO. |
TITLE |
PAGE NO. |
|
Chapter-
1 |
INTRODUCTION |
1-3 |
|
Chapter-
2 |
MATERIALS
AND METHODS |
4-7 |
|
Chapter-
3 |
OBSERVATION
& DATA COLLECTION |
8-9 |
|
Chapter-4 |
REFLECTION
& CONCLUSION |
10 |
CHAPTER
1
INTRODUCTION
1.1.
Organic Farming
Organic farming is an agricultural
technique that emphasizes natural cultivation methods to foster the growth of
plants. This approach avoids the use of synthetic substances, instead relying
on biological materials to maintain soil fertility and preserve ecological
balance. By minimizing pollution and waste, organic farming strives to create a
sustainable and environmentally-friendly system. It encompasses various
principles such as crop rotation, green manure, organic waste utilization,
biological pest control, and the addition of mineral and rock substances.
Organic farming permits the use of
pesticides and fertilizers if they are derived from natural sources, while avoiding
the use of petrochemical-based alternatives. Its overarching goal is to
contribute to the health and well-being of soil, plants, animals, humans, and
the planet. By providing pollution-free and chemical-free nutritious food,
organic farming supports mental, physical, and ecological well-being. It
embodies the vision of harmonious coexistence with nature, resulting in healthy
soil that nurtures robust plants, leading to a healthier populace. This
production system sustains soil health, ecosystems, and human welfare, relying
on ecological processes, biodiversity, and locally adapted cycles, instead of
relying on inputs that have detrimental effects.
By combining tradition, innovation, and
scientific knowledge, organic agriculture benefits the shared environment,
promotes equitable relationships, and enhances overall quality of life for all
involved. It is a holistic approach that considers the interconnectedness of
soil, plants, animals, and humans. Organic farming serves as a means to provide
pollution-free, chemical-free, and nutritious food for individuals. It is a
vision for a sustainable future, where farming practices align with the
principles of nature. Through the integration of traditional wisdom,
cutting-edge techniques, and scientific advancements, organic farming creates a
positive impact on the environment and fosters a high standard of
living for everyone.
1.1.
Importance of Organic Farming
Ø Organic farming helps
preserve soil health, biodiversity, and natural ecosystems.
Ø Organic food is healthier
as it is free from synthetic pesticides and GMOs.
Ø Organic farming enhances
soil fertility and can contribute to carbon sequestration.
Ø Organic farms support
biodiversity and provide habitats for various plant and animal species.
Ø Organic animal farming
reduces the risk of antibiotic resistance and
prioritizes animal welfare.
1.3. Principles Of Organic
Farming
According to IFOAM (2002),
organic agriculture practices are based on the following
principles:
A.
Principle Of Health
B.
Principle Of Ecology
C.
Principle Of Fairness
D.
Principle Of Care
1.4. The aims of organic farming can be explained as follows:
1.
Environmental Preservation: Organic farming aims to protect and
preserve the environment by reducing pollution, promoting biodiversity, and
conserving natural resources.
2.
Soil Fertility and Health: Organic farming aims to enhance and
maintain soil fertility and health through practices that improve soil
structure, nutrient cycling, and microbial activity.
3.
Chemical-Free Food: Organic farming aims to produce food that
is free from synthetic pesticides, herbicides, and genetically modified
organisms (GMOs), promoting healthier and safer food choices.
4.
Sustainable Agriculture: Organic farming aims to establish a
sustainable agricultural system that can meet present needs without
compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
5.
Animal Welfare: Organic farming aims to prioritize the
welfare of animals by providing them with access to outdoor areas, natural
diets, and humane living conditions.
6.
Health and Well-being: Organic farming aims to contribute
to the health and well-being of consumers by providing nutritious,
chemical-free food that is beneficial for human health.
7.
Climate Change Mitigation: Organic farming aims to mitigate
climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, promoting carbon
sequestration in soils, and adopting climate-smart farming practices.
8.
Economic Viability: Organic farming aims to create viable and
sustainable livelihoods for farmers by providing fair prices for organic
produce and supporting local economies.
9.
Community Engagement: Organic farming aims to foster community
engagement and participation by promoting local food systems, farmers' markets,
and organic farming networks.
10. Knowledge Sharing and Education: Organic farming aims to share knowledge, promote education, and encourage the adoption of organic farming practices among farmers, consumers, and the wider community.
1.5.
Location of Farming
I chose the backyard of my house at Angamaly
CHAPTER 2
MATERIALS AND METHODS
2.1.
The crops selected for the project
1.
Seeds of Tomato
2.
Seeds of Cowpea
3.
Seeds of Ladies finger
4.
Seeds of Red Spinach
5.
Seeds of Chilli
2.2.
Source of Seeds
Krishi
Bhavan Angamaly
2.3. Crop season
Cowpea: June 1st week, Sept-Oct, Jan -Feb
Tomato: April - May
Ladies’ finger: Jan - Feb, May -June, Sept -Oct
Chilli: May, June, Sept, Oct
Red spinach: March, April
2.4. Weather condition prevailed
Intermittent rainfall
2.5. Agricultural implements and equipments
Hoe, spade, shovel, mattock, garden trowel, gardening gloves,
wheelbarrow, watering-can, rake.
2.6. Liming material - Limestone powder
·
It is used as soil conditioners to provide a
base to correct acidity.
·
It is used for maintaining the pH of the soil.
·
Improves calcium levels in the soil.
·
Increases good bacterial activity.
·
Prevents the buildup of harmful lawn toxins.
2.7. Quantity of
liming material
100g per grow bag
2.8. Manures
2.8.1. Basal application.
●
Treating soil with limestone powder
●
Mixing the soil with goat manure, cow manure, chicken manure and
cocopeat
2.8.2.
Top dressing
●
Adding wood ash, bone meal, organic compost to the soil
2.8.3. Biofertilizers
●
Bio compost
2.8.4.
Bio slurries
Preparation
●
Mix fermented rice water with 200g each of groundnut cake and
neem cake.
●
Leave the mixture in room temperature for two days and allow it
to ferment.
●
Now, dilute this mixture (9L of water for 1L for slurry) and
pour at the bottom of the plants.
2.9. Bio Pesticides
Jaivakeedanashini (mixture of neem oil and garlic).
2.10. Crop management
2.10.1.
Liming
●
Treat the garden soil with limestone powder and leave it for one
week.
2.10.2.
Potting mixture preparation (including basic manuring)
●
To the limed soil, add 100g of bone meal, 100g of neem cake, 500
g of goat manure, 500g of chicken manure, 200g of coco peat, 500g of cow manure
and some water (for each bag).
●
Mix them to obtain your potting mixture and fill ¾th of the grow
bag with this mixture.
2.10.3. Pit filling
Initially, add some dried/green leaves at the bottom of the pit.
Now, fill the pit with the potting mixture prepared in the previous step.
2.10.4.
Seeding
●
Treat the seeds with pseudomonas fluorescents solution and soak
overnight.
●
Decant the excess water and allow the seeds to sprout for 24
hours.
●
Now, sow the seeds in the potting soil at the proper depth and
water them wisely.
2.10.5. Planting
●
As a method of backup, we can also sow a few seeds in a tray
after filling it with quality potting soil and subjecting it to all the
necessary external conditions.
●
Once it germinates and grows into tiny saplings, you can
transfer it to your grow bags.
2.10.6.
Top dressing
●
After few days of seeding, dress the soil with wood ash, bone
meal and organic compost and bio slurries.
2.10.7. Pest management
1. Ladies’
finger
1.Jassids/hoppers: Apply neem-garlic biopesticide
2.Fruit and shoot borer: Destroy
the damaged parts and apply neem seed kernel suspension@50g in 1L
2. Chilli
1.Aphids: Apply neem-based soap
emulsion
2.Jassids: Apply neem-garlic
emulsion
3. Tomato
1. Aphids, Hornworm, White fly: Apply
neem oil and neem-based pesticides
4. Cowpea
1.Aphids, Hoppers, White fly: Spray
neem-based pesticides
2. Pod borer: Apply neem seed kernel suspension 5%
5. Red
Spinach
1.Cucurbit fruit fly: Apply
neem-garlic pesticide
2.10.8. Disease management
Chilli
1.Damping off - apply lime before
planting and add neemcake
2.Leaf spot - spray
Pseudomonas(20g/l)
3.Viral diseases - spray neem based
pesticides(2.5ml/L)
4.Bacterial wilt - drench
Pseudomonas at 15 days interval
Cowpea
Fusarium wilt, Root rot-seed
treatment with Trichoderma and apply neem cake (150 kg/ha)
Red Spinach
1.Leaf spot - spray BM % or
Mancozeb 3g/l
2.Soft rot/Rhizome rot - treat
seeds with Pseudomonas before planting
2.10.9. Water management
●
Good agricultural practices as managing soil fertility and
reducing land degradation can increase water efficiency.
●
Use best water-efficient irrigation systems. Reduce evaporation
by avoiding midday irrigation using drip irrigation techniques.
●
Use rainwater harvesting for irrigation.
CHAPTER- 3
OBSERVATION AND DATA COLLECTION
Table 1: Height of plants in cm (15 days interval)
|
Cowpea |
10 cm |
|
Ladies’ finger |
3 cm |
|
Chilli |
3 cm |
|
Red Spinach |
5 cm |
|
Tomato |
6cm |
Table 2: No. of branches
|
Cowpea |
4 |
|
Ladies’ finger |
2 |
|
Chilli |
2 |
|
Red Spinach |
5 |
|
Tomato |
3 |
Within,
15 days of growth, the cowpea demonstrated vigorous growth, reaching a height
of 10 cm with the development of four branches. The ladies finger showcased
steady progress, measuring 3 cm and displaying two leaves. Similarly, the chili
plant grew to a height of 3 cm with two leaves, while the spinach reached 5 cm
with five leaves. The tomato plant exhibited substantial growth, standing at 6
cm tall and boasting three leaves. These measurements reflect the successful
cultivation and care provided to each plant.
Table
3: Height of Plants
|
Sl.
No. |
Type
of Plants |
30
days |
60days |
90
days |
|
1 |
Cowpea |
30cm |
…….. |
…… |
|
2 |
Ladies’ finger |
40
cm |
70
cm |
90cm |
|
3 |
Chilli |
20cm |
30cm |
50cm |
|
4 |
Red Spinach |
40cm |
70cm |
80cm |
|
5 |
Tomato |
15cm |
30cm |
45cm |
The
growth of each plant was carefully monitored, with height measurements taken at
30-day intervals. My diligent care and attention, all the plants displayed
consistent and impressive growth throughout the observation period. The
dedication and nurturing provided by me contributed to the plants’ healthy
development, showcasing the effectiveness of care routine.
NB.
Add Images of planting, growth stage
Table
4: Harvest Days
|
Sl.no. |
Type
of plants |
Days
of planting |
Day
of harvesting |
Total
Yield |
|
1 |
Cowpea |
02/04/2023 |
25/06/2023 |
25kg |
|
2 |
Ladies’ finger |
10/04/2023 |
02/06/2023 |
10kg |
|
3 |
Chilli |
02/04/2023 |
10/06/2023 |
3kg |
|
4 |
Spinach |
10/04/2023 |
30/05/2023 |
16kg |
|
5 |
Tomato |
02/04/2023 |
20/06/2023 |
12kg |
The
careful nurturing of cowpeas, ladies finger, chili, spinach, and tomatoes led
to a bountiful harvest of vegetables, exceeding expectations and demonstrating
the effectiveness of cultivation techniques. With a cumulative total of 10 kg
of ladies finger, 25 kg of cowpeas, 3 kg of chilies, 12 kg of tomatoes, and 16
kg of spinach, the farmers’ hard work and dedication paid off, providing a
diverse and nutritious selection of fresh vegetables for consumption.
NB:
Add images of harvesting
CHAPTER 4
REFLECTION AND CONCLUSION
4.1.
Reflection
Engaging in this project was a truly
enriching experience that provided me with valuable insights into the realm of
organic farming. Throughout the process, I undertook various stages of project
development, immersing myself in the intricacies of sustainable agriculture.
Beginning with the procurement of seeds and fertilizers, I diligently prepared
the ground by ploughing it and creating a nourishing bed of natural soil.
Sowing the seeds directly into the earth, I ensured they received regular
watering and closely monitored their growth each day.
To enhance the plants' nutrition, I
incorporated necessary organic nutrients by top dressing the soil. However,
despite my efforts, a few seeds failed to germinate, while others exhibited
stunted growth. Confronted with challenges such as diseases and pest
infestations, I took proactive measures, utilizing suitable organic pesticides
and implementing effective crop care techniques.
This
endeavour has provided me with a deep appreciation for the intricate balance of
nature and the importance of sustainable farming practices. It was truly
rewarding to witness the fruits of my labor as the crops flourished and thrived
under my attentive care. This hands-on experience has instilled in me a passion
for organic farming and a commitment to promoting environmentally-friendly
agricultural methods in the future.
4.2. Conclusion
In
conclusion, my venture into organic farming yielded fruitful results and
provided valuable insights into sustainable agriculture. Through careful
preparation, including soil ploughing and seed sowing, followed by regular
watering and close monitoring of plant growth, I nurtured a variety of crops.
While facing challenges such as seed germination issues and pests, I employed
suitable organic pesticides and implemented effective crop care practices.
This project not only demonstrated the
importance of maintaining a balanced ecosystem but also reinforced my
commitment to environmentally-friendly farming methods. The experience of
witnessing the successful growth of the crops has inspired me to further
explore and promote organic farming, contributing to a healthier and more
sustainable approach to food production. Overall, this journey into organic
farming has been educational and rewarding, emphasizing the benefits of sustainable
practices for both the environment and our food systems.
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