Towards Sustainable Development… A Case Study on BELAVALA ECOLOGICAL FARM Background: Agriculture has been the celebrated primary occupation of Mandya district in Karnataka wherein close to 70% of the population still is dependent on agriculture for their livelihood as against state’s average of 59%. The district has the advantage of receiving irrigation to an extent of 46% for its cultivable land of which 80% is from the assured sources of Krishnaraja Sagar and Hemavathi dams compared to Karnataka’s over all of 28%. Mandya has the privilege of having Agriculture Education and Research centre established as early as in 1991-92. Agriculture sector in the district is also supported with 31 RSKs, a Soil Health Centre, a Regional Centre for Coconut Development and a Bio control Laboratory. Mandya, once considered as one of the most agriculturally prosperous district in Karnataka has been going through a painful phase from the last few years. In 2015 with as many as 57 farmers committing suicide in Mandya district out of 978 farmers killing themselves in other parts of the state, the district has witnessed an unprecedented distress in agrarian sector. Several experts analysing the agrarian crisis in Mandya district, have pointed to two issues; first the increase in cultivation costs and a declined agriculture income which is pushing the farmers into a debt trap and second the sociological pressures that the farmers face because of the disparity of their income with those of urban areas. Mono cropping with expensive inputs of chemical fertilizers and pesticides with intensive irrigation has been the regular practice of the farmers in the district for the last 4-5 decades. Out of 2.48 lakh hectares of net cultivated area, paddy (0.9 lakh hect), Finger millet (0.85lakh hect) and Sugar cane(0.4 lakh hect) together constitute nearly 83% of the cropped area. This has started showing the brunt on soil fertility, soil health, crop yields and local eco system of the district. This could be seen from the fact that nearly 25000 hectares of agricultural land has become unfit for farming on account of severe saline and alkalinity over the years.

Belavala Ecological Farm : Belavala Ecological farm is located at Belagola village in Srirangapatna Taluk of Mandya district in Karnataka. The total extent of the land is 7 Acres 28 Guntas. The primary perception behind in establishment of the Farm was based on the popular belief that “ An experienced farmer is an expert… he knows how to manage soils, crops and manage business. He is also a good system thinker…. know to put it all together into farming systems and farm enterprises; but all he needs is genuine knowledge”. Therefore, to bridge the knowledge gap among the farmers of Karnataka in general and Mandya district in particular on ecologically sustainable and economically viable farming practices adaptable to local conditions, different models of ecological farming system are being developed at Belavala Ecological Farm. 1. Farm history: • The land was under fallow (not under cultivation) since 10 years. Fifteen mango trees aged about 20 years were neglected for a long time. • In 2009 the land was given protection with boundary line fencing. Simultaneously entire land was divided into 5 blocks and each block into several plots according to general gradient. Graded bunds were put up along the periphery of the plots to prevent soil erosion and to divert excess run off. In the following year, water harvesting structure, irrigation facilities, workers quarters and a cattle shed were built. During the rainy season of 2010, legumes like Horse gram, Cow pea, Black gram and Sesame crops were grown to improve soil organic carbon. • In 2011, one man and two women workers were engaged to carry out farm activities. The man was given a detailed training at the Bio centre, Bangalore on organic farming practices, fruit and vegetable cultivation, preparation of bio digester extract, panchaghavya, jeevamrutha, vermicompost etc. He has also been trained in grading, packing and handling of perishables like fruits and vegetables at Jaivik Krishik Society and his services were used to guide other workers on day to day basis in the farm. • In 2012, drip irrigation system was installed for 6 acres of land. A polyhouse and a shade house each measuring …. Sq meters were

constructed to enable protected cultivation of vegetables under controlled environment during adverse conditions. 2. Farming System: I. Resources: • Cow based farming system has been adopted in the farm since the beginning. A pair of local bullock does the bulk of the farm operations. Two cross bred cows are reared for dairy purpose. • Cattle dung and urine are essential part of the critical inputs like Jeevasara (Aerobic bio digester extract), Panchaghavya, Jeevamrutha and Bheejamrutha that are used effectively in nutrition supplement and in management of pest and diseases. • Bio mass generated in the farm is used for crop mulching and in production of bio compost and Vermicompost. • Seed and planting materials are sourced from the Biocentre, , Indian Institute of Horticulture Research, University of Agricultural Sciences, Organic Nurseries and NGOs. Vegetable seeds of brinjal, chillies, green manure, pulse crops are self multiplied and stored in cloth bags, tin containers etc. • Plenty of Neem trees and various fodder cum green manure trees like Milea dubia, Vitex negunda, Adhatoda vasica, Casuarina, Mahaghani are grown on bunds and along the borders. A range of naturally grown shrubs and tree species on the border of the farm also adds to the diversity. II. Crop Models: Different bio intensive crop models involving multiple and mixed crops along with crop rotation, catch crops and cover crops are developed in the farm to provide diversity to the production system A1. Kitchen garden (15 G): Yalakki banana planted in 2012 was continued for two seasons. In 2014 and 2015 , fruit crops like mango, guava, sapota, jack, star apple, malayan apple, sweet orange, plum, apple, peach, pear, butter fruit, anona varieties, pomelo, dragon fruit, banana, lime, papaya, different berries

etc and plantation crops like coconut, arecanut, betelvine, pepper are planted in 16 ft rows and 10 ft apart. Vegetables and green manure crops are cultivated alternatively during 2015. A2. Agri-horti (15 G): Yalakki banana was cultivated from 2012 to 2014. In 2014, Guava and pomegrates were planted in alternate rows of 16 ft apart with a spacing of 10 ft in between. In 2015, green manure crops and pulses were grown alternatively. In 2016 green manure crops followed by different millets as intercrops are proposed in this plot. A3. Mixed fruit orchard (15 G): Yalakki banana was grown from 2012 to 2014 . In 2014, Sweet orange+ lime and pomegranates were planted in alternate rows of 16 ft apart with a spacing of 10 ft in between. In 2015, papaya was planted in between and French beans were grown as inter crop. A4. Multiple fruit orchard (15 G): Yalakki banana was grown from 2012 to 2013. In 2013, sweet orange, lime, guava and pomegranate were planted in alternate rows of 10 ft apart with a spacing of 10 ft in between. Crop mulching is provided to the plants with the biomass generated in the plot. B1,B2,B3. Banana (45 G): Yalakki banana was planted in trenches filled with plenty of biomass in 2012. So far 3 crops have been harvested. In 2015, coconut and black pepper were planted as inter crops. B4. Natural farming(20G): Yalakki banana was planted in trenches filled with plenty of biomass in 2012. In 2013, fruit cops which require shade and plenty of moisture like Mangosteen, Avacado, Noni, Litchi, Malayan apples, Apricot, Rambutan, plum, peach, longan, Durian, Longsat etc were planted. No cultural operations are carried out in this plot except biomass mulching twice a year. C1. Pomegranate progeny plot(15G): Madhugiri, the first generation variety, Ganesha , the second generation, and Bhagwa, the latest variety of pomogranates are planted in 2013, 2014 and 2015. The utility and performance of these varieties are being assessed under organic farming practices. C2. Herbal Garden (15 G): Devanahally variety of pomelo, different varieties of lemon, cherry guava, rose apple, himachal apple, china litchi, kamquats, sipandus etc were planted in an assorted spacing from 2013 to 2015. Vegetables, herbs and green manure crops are grown in this plot as inter crops. DI. Protected Cultivation(10G). Capcicum, melons, greens and some exotic vegetables are raised in the polyhouse and shade net houses depending on the season.

D2. Multiple fruit orchard (25 G): Mango varieties, Lime and pomegranates were planted in alternate rows of 10 ft apart with a spacing of 10 ft in between in 2013. Green manure crops, vegetables like tomato, onion and pulses are grown as inter crops alternatively. E. Multiple fruit orchard (30 G): Mango, Guava, Amla were planted in alternate rows of 10 ft apart with a spacing of 10 ft in between in 2013. Green manure crops, vegetables like beans , onion, carrot are grown as intercrops alternatively. F. Fodder plot (20 G): Napier grass with cow pea and horse gram as inter crops are grown in this plot. Fodder trees like Susbania, Milea and subabul are also grown on bunds and on borders. G. Dry land ( 58 G): During rainy season, finger millet intercropped with Red gram, cow pea and niger are grown every year since 2012.

III. Indicators of Sustainability: • Soil health as an indicator of soil productivity, fertility and soil microbial activity is under optimization over the last 3 years. The overall organic carbon of 0.3% in 2019 has increased to 0.7% in 2015 • Soil microbial activity measured in terms of earthworms, Trichoderma, Pseudomonas, Phosphate solubilizing bacteria and a dozen of other useful bacteria has been increasing. • Aerobic bio digester was found to be a Kamadenu of sustainable ecological farming. Digester extract containing several useful microorganisms and phytochemicals was found useful in improving the plant vigour and development. It does the dual purposes of enhancing nutrients availability in soil as well as in managing pests and diseases when sprayed on plant surfaces. • Panchaghavya is found to be a very good substitute for plant hormones. It has enhanced flowering and fruit set in pomegranate, mango and papaya. Fish meal and egg meals have a positive influence on growth and development of citrus varieties. • Multiple, mixed, and intercropping has been found helpful in improving soil fertility and management of pest and diseases.

• Growing Tagetes along with vegetables was helpful in managing stem borer and fruit borers. • Fixing yellow sticky traps was beneficial in managing white flies, leaf hoppers and fruit flies and blue sticky strap in managing thrips, jassids and leaf minors • Horticulture, Agriculture, Fodder and Green manure crops, Diary and Fish farming are integrated. • Adoption of Good Harvest and Post Harvest Practices like timely harvest, grading, packing and on farm ripening has improved the quality and farm output. • Production of silage on the farm comprising grasses, legumes and fodder tree leaves and feeding to the cows has improved milk quality, out put and reduced the cost on readymade feeds. • Regeneration of several species of medicinal plants and more than 24 varieties of wild edible greens on bunds and field which have been forgotten will be helpful in local health care and in supplementing nutrition at Zero cost. • More number of birds have been attracted and found beneficial in controlling insects. The predators population has also increased • The dynamic development of vegetation over a period of 4 years can be seen in following pictures.

2010

2014

• Schematic diagrams showing the expected costs and benefits from integrated farm compared with conventional farm are shown below.

• Annual expenditure on labour and inputs like seeds, bio control agents, cattle feed works out to Rs 4.8 lakhs. Presently 4.0 lakhs income is generated from banana, old mango trees, vegetables and by sale of milk. Manure is used for conversion into bio compost. Considering the fact that still 80% of the fruit trees are in juvenile phase, hopeful of attaining sustenance in the next 2 years. Conclusion: Different cropping systems involving agricultural practices that are in harmony with nature, and which make maximum use of local resources are demonstrated at Belavala Ecological farm from 2012. Future observations on the optimization of soil health and fertility and productivity of different cropping models would strengthen the knowledge base in advocating sustainable farming system to farmers and policy makers. Dr. K. Ramakrishnappa, Presiden Belavala Foundation, Mysuru