Part I, II and III of this video describe the experiences of a farmer named Jose Elajhimattam from Kerala, who has embraced organic farming as practised traditionally by farmers and his ancestors, and sheds light on why he opted for organic farming. Jose describes the efforts that he has made to make his farm sustainable and free of chemical fertilisers and pesticides by introducing techniques such as use of a biogas plant and using cowdung from his own farm to generate gas for cooking and generating manure that is free from any chemical pesticides or fertilisers.
Organic farming: Part I
Part I of this video describes the story of Jose Elajhimattam in Kerala, who decided to manage 15 acres of land by growing organic plants. Jose informs that the area was first dependent on coffee cultivation, which he uprooted and planted with black pepper. The black pepper cultivation was totally destroyed because of pests. He found that all farmers in the area had the same problem. This was when he decided to shift to organic cultivation.
As Jose explains, excess application of fertilisers had led to deterioration of soil, so he decided to regenerate the soil by stopping the use of chemical fertilisers. As he says, his background in agriculture made him look back at traditional farmers and his ancestors, who he observes, used only cowdung and there was no disease. This made him go back to organic farming
Source: ukiah - stockholm
Organic farming: Part II
In Part II, Jose Elajhimattam demonstrates how he converts the cowdung generated in his farm to biogas by mixing cowdung with equal amount of water. The slurry formed is collected into an underground tank, which has the shape of an egg, where the slurry is fermented and retained for 45 days. The slurry when ready is removed from the underground tank through channels and then used as manure for plants. This slurry is much better than cowdung dried in the sun, informs Jose because of its high nitrogen content, which is very good manure for the plants and increases the absorption capacity of the soil.
The tank also generates methane gas, which is collected through a pipe directed to the kitchen, where it is used for cooking and lighting. Piped methane gas directly goes to kitchen where a regulated and continuous flow is achieved. According to Jose, in a family of four members with two cows, the cowdung generated will be sufficient to produce gas to cook for the whole family on a regular basis. Jose informs that the tank construction has cost him around 12,000 Rs, but now 50% cost will be sufficient for new technology.
Source: ukiah - stockholm
Organic farming: Part III
In Part III, Jose demonstrates how he uses the liquid collected from a compost heap to make an environmentally friendly pesticide and fungicide and how he uses the washed away water from the compost, which acts as a fungicide to deal with a fungus named phytothora that affects pepper plants in his farm.
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