Farmers in India, lured by the increased yields of the ‘Green Revolution’, blindly adopted unsustainable methods of agriculture. Though several environmentalists tried creating awareness among farmers about the harmful nature of chemical pesticides and fertilizers, the speed with which farmers heeded to chemicals for farming was much greater. Chemical pesticides and fertilizers have not only upset the balance of the natural geo-chemical cycles, but also proved hazardous to people, plants and animals. It is now imperative to return to traditional natural forms of farming to obtain sustained, if not high, yields for a long time.
 
Sustainable organic farming is not new to our country. The ill effects of chemical farming have now left us no alternative but to explore traditional and recent organic methods of farming. Demonstration, training and implementation of sustainable organic farming techniques in the farmlands of the country are therefore very important. This would not only ensure sustainable yields, but also progress towards an environmentally benign nation.
 
Chikkanayakanahalli (CNHalli) Taluk, in Tumkur District is among the poorest taluks in Karnataka State. Tumkur district is located in the eastern belt of southern Karnataka. The taluk can be divided into two physiographic zones, namely - hilly areas and gently sloping pediplains. CNHalli does not have any perennial river flowing through it. The two major streams – Torehalla and Karetore – join to form the river Suvarnamukhi, which flows through the Bukkapatna state forest in the northeast the taluk. Torehall River irrigates the area. At present, the natural vegetation in the taluk is mostly scrub forests on the hills.
 
A situation analysis was done in November 1993 on the request of the then Chief Executive Officer of the Zilia Panchayat (District Government). This revealed that large-scale felling of trees over the years; poor farming practices coupled with the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides; and over exploitation of ground water had led to the deterioration of soil fertility. Large portions of land became wastelands, where the biomass productivity was less than 20% of the potential, making this one of the most degraded taluks in India.
 
The upper castes, although small in number, own large tracts of land whereas the lower castes usually have 2-3 acres of land. Almost 80% of the farming community comprises small and marginal farmers with land holdings of 2-3 acres. These farmers lack the access to water sources and thus depend entirely on single rain-fed agriculture, leading to low productivity. Only a small percentage of the population have irrigated land (as the percentage of irrigated area to the net sown area is only 7.3 per cent). The proportion of rain-fed cropland under single cropping is high, resulting in such land lying fallow for at least eight months a year. This, along with uncertain weather conditions and lack of agricultural inputs and financial resources, has led to large-scale borrowing, seasonal cropping and temporary migration.
 
Large farmers who can afford intensive agriculture are going in for cash crops and mechanisation, causing large-scale unemployment and temporary migration of men in search of work. There is an increased pressure on women to earn and sustain their families. The large farmers also concentrate on high water consuming plantation crops, extracting irrigation water from borewells by tapping deep aquifers. Excessive use of groundwater and poor water infiltration has resulted in the lowering of the water table.
 
The low tree cover and disappearance of bushy areas and grasslands, coupled with poor soil and moisture conservation measures, has led to the topsoil-erosion. Given the circumstances, there is an urgent need to move towards sustainable agriculture and a change in the management of natural resources. Better land use systems (agro-forestry), along with soil and moisture conservation techniques, will improve the quality of natural resources; increase biomass availability; enhance agricultural production, and reduce the dependency on the existing forests.
 
The project has been undertaken with the following objectives in view:
n To create sustainable livelihoods by promoting appropriate sustainable agricultural methods.
n To create awareness and to train and demonstrate natural resource management techniques to the community.
n To provide effective and viable environmental planning and consultancy services to the communities. NGOs, donors and government agencies.
 
The methodology adopted in implementing this project comprises: (a) Infrastructure development and (b) Experimentation in sustainable farming techniques.

(a) Infrastructure development includes fencing, training hall, hostel facilities etc.
 
(b) Experiments on sustainable farming techniques for demonstration includes the following:

i. Soil and moisture conservation
ii. Building and Maintaining soil fertility:
        - Green manure
        - Tropical legumes
        - Vermicomposting
iii. Water systems management
iv. Cropping pattern and agro-forestry
v. Crop protection (bio-pesticides)
vi. Establishment of horticulture nursery
vii. Cultivation of perennial organic and coloured cotton crops, vegetables, pulses, mulberry etc.

(c) Preparation of training materials

(d) Documentation
 
In terms of implementation of the project, the following activities were undertaken in the fields of infrastructure development and experiments in sustainable farming techniques.

a. Infrastructure development
The drilling of the borewell was completed on the 30th of March 1999. The water level in the borewell is at a depth of around 388 feet. The approximate yield measured is around 3000 litres per hour. The fencing of the farm was initiated by sowing Prosopis juliflora and agave seeds. These act as a natural fencing against cattle and other animals.

b. Experiments in sustainable farming techniques
Soil and moisture conservation: The land was ploughed with the help of a tractor. The farm was divided into different experimental plots. Bunding and trenching were also initiated.

Building and Maintaining soil fertility: The vermicomposting sheds were cleaned and raw material for the production of vermicompost was procured from the surrounding villages.
 
Water systems management: Two treadle pumps were installed – one for the farm pond and one for the storage tank. A 10 HP pump was installed after the three-phase power supply was obtained from the State Electricity Board.
 
Cropping pattern and agro-forestry: A farm design to initiate and demonstrate agroforestry techniques was completed. Plantation was initiated by planting a few coconut trees along with leguminous trees such as Leucaena leucocephala (subabul). A design for initiating a vegetable garden was also completed. Seeds of a few vegetables, such as tomatoes and chilies, were sown.
 
Crop protection (bio-pesticides): Literature on natural pest control methods was collected. Preparation of the bio-pesticide has yet to be initiated.

Conclusion
This project has helped in initiating a model sustainable organic farm. Various activities initiated in the farm have attracted the farmers in the surrounding areas and have raised their curiosity to know more about organic farming. To ensure the sustainability of the farm, all the activities mentioned in the design have to be implemented. The farm can then become an appropriate center for training farmers in the surrounding villages on sustainable organic farming techniques. q

Development Alternatives, Bangalore