The stalwarts of organic farming

Sabarmatee, who runs an organisation called Sambhav, said, “Sambhav means possible. When we decided to cultivate a barren piece of land, some elders said that it would not be possible. I believed it would be and hence, the name of the organisation,” she said.

Sabarmatee said that there are two accusations against indigenous variety of seeds. The first that these are low-yielding, and another that lodging happens. She stressed that commercial and political interests act as a hindrance to the promotion of organic farming.

Sabarmatee said that if every person can adopt an indigenous variety, then seeds would be preserved. She, however, rued that agriculture implements are made keeping in view men.

Kavitha Kuruganti, Convenor, ASHA, has been instrumental in promoting organic farming. ASHA has a network of volunteers across the country who are actively involved with farmers. Kuruganthi opined that organic farming is not a choice, but an imperative.

She said that with the advent of motorised vehicles, efforts are now being made for women to reconnect with their traditions.

Padma Bhushan Inderjeet Kaur, the president of All India Pingalwara Charitable Society, narrated her story of how the society started getting involved with organic farming. She said the society provides artificial limbs to the physically challenged. “There was an instance when a woman gave birth to a child without legs. We felt that there was a need to bring about changes in the way we grow our crops. A model farm was developed by the society where crops are grown organically,” she said.