“Rice is the major crop that receives the maximum quantity of fertilizers (40%) and pesticides (17-18%) and these practices pose major challenges in organic rice farming for nutrient and pest management.” - Directorate of Rice Research, Hyderabad
Non Pesticide Management (NPM) Paddy seems to be laborious and risky to cultivate without the use of potent chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
This form of cultivation practice allows farmers to feed themselves and their consumers without poisoning themselves or their own environment. However, as it does not include the use of fast acting chemical pesticides, it is a highly challenging method to employ without the right kind of Bio Alternatives.
The introduction of regenerative practices such as safeguarding soil health, into current rice cultivation must take place cautiously and in incremental stages especially since rice is the staple diet of South India.
The Issue
The large-scale usage of chemical fertilizers brought about by the Green Revolution has drastically degraded the soil and its natural biodiversity resulting in loss of beneficial soil microbes and other fauna. The cost of these chemical pesticides were also very high for the farmers who could barely make any profit from their toil.
The most efficient way as of today is to irrigate rice though canal irrigation. This practice is harmful for farmers who grow their crops downstream, as large quantities of chemical fertilizer and pesticides are brought into their paddy fields. This is why it is imperative to slowly bring down the use of chemical application.
Firefly’s alternative approach
Samuha began the Non Pesticide Management (NPM) programme in 2008 with the objective of reducing the cost of cultivation, reducing usage of chemicals, and increasing yield.
Firefly’s approach was to take this opportunity to provide suitable, tailormade bio alternative formulations in incremental stages for pest and nutrition management at subsidized prices for the NGO. The idea was to introduce regenerative practices incrementally and guide the farmers with certain protocols which would help them become independent, value add their produce for better prices at domestic and international organic markets, and cultivate their crops in a healthy environment.
Together with the NGO, Firefly helped conduct bio fertilizer trials in 3 districts in North Karnataka during Phase 1 of the long term collaboration
Solving from the root
Identifying and prioritizing the key concerns affecting the paddy eco-system from a holistic point of view.
1st Phase Bio Alternative Trials
Enabling Impact
Focus on Soil Health
and environment
farming
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