We have developed a self-sustaining organic farming ecosystem such as:
Shree Maharaj addressed self-sustained organic farming four decades back where farmers have all the required material in their farm itself. We emphasize the use of natural processes, biodiversity, and sustainable practices to cultivate crops and raise livestock. Unlike conventional farming, it avoids the use of synthetic pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers, focusing instead on maintaining soil health, promoting biodiversity, and fostering a balanced ecosystem. Our organic farming ecosystem is a dynamic, holistic approach that integrates environmental, economic, and social sustainability.
This ecosystem is based on ecological principles like nutrient cycling, pollination, and natural pest control, which help maintain long-term soil fertility and reduce the environmental impact of farming. It also helps reduce carbon footprints.
The trust has Goshala. Wherein more than 50 desi cows and 50 desi bulls in addition to 25 calves, are reared well. In the premise, well-grown trees are maintained. While cleaning the premises, all the fallen leaves, litres, farm waste, and degradable wet garbage are heaped.
Two well-maintained big vermicompost shades are in use. All the droppings from cattle, as well as weight-degradable farm waste, garbage, fallen leaves, and litter, are carried to vermicompost shades.
Scientifically, layers in beds are filled in routinely. Sprinkled with water to maintain good moisture level. Icinia foetida is the type of worms used to make vermi compost. Additionally, in open spaces, wherever there is a good tree shade available, the beds are also prepared and watered.
In a year, about 4 to 5 cycles of vermicompost are turned to prepare about 200 tons of vermicompost. This compost is also biologically enriched by mixing the culture of beneficial microorganisms, as nitrogen fixing, phosphorus slubilizing, and potash mobilising bacteria. This way prepared biologically enriched compost is the source of organic manure to crops as paddy, vegetables and trees.
The trust has well maintained goshala. With use of cow dung and urine from desi cows the biospillary means JEEVAMRUT is prepared. It is used for improving soil health and there by increasing a crop yield.
Procedure
Then drum is filled with water leaving 20 to 30 cm space from top.
The drum is covered with double layer of thin cotton cloth. The purpose of double layer is, houseflies may be attracted and may lay eggs into the solution. However, with double layers the eggs won't reach to the solution. The solution remains free from white maggots. Every day the cloth is removed and with the bamboo stick stirred well. After a week, the solution which is milky in a colour giving a fermentation odour is ready to use. However, this solution is directly not used, instead is diluted to 1:10 ratio. The plants / crops are watered with this diluted bioslurry.
Every time the culture of these bacteria is not bought. As like making curd into home, we use a small quantity of culture. In the similar fashion, a bucket means 15 to 20 L this fermented solution is used for preparing a next drum having four basic ingredients.
Sugarcane juice is a most liked drink of all ages. Considering the requirement, very old and famous variety of that time namely PUNDYA has been collected from rural part (Vaduj) of Satara district. The cuttings were carried and planted in October.
The speciality of the variety are it is very soft. Juice from other varieties turns black in half an hour after extraction. However, juice from PUNDYA variety won't turn black upto 6 hours after extraction. Thus the variety has been planted. Sugarcane is crushed with very different type of a juice making machine. Wherein, no ice cubes are added but one can enjoy chillness of juice.
In the land of Trust, few old mango trees are growing. The flowers are damaged by its three major enemies as, hoppers, thrips and a fungal disease powdery mildew. It has been attempted successfully with non chemical spray applications. These include microbiological formulations.
Paddy cultivation in kharif season is a common practice in the Kokan area. Due to very high humid climatic conditions, non-scented varieties are cultivated. The team has attempted to grow prime rice varieties, which face good price and liked by consumers. Paddy varieties namely HMT and Wada Kollam are grown on major area.
From last two years another attempt has been achieved wherein, object is value addition. The Red grain variety namely Ratnagiri 7 is cultivated successfully. The grains of this variety are bold. So no much demand for it as such rice consumption. The speciality of this variety is it is a bio fortified rice. The grains are rich in zinc a nd iron. Grain colour is reddish. The pohas are prepared from the this variety. It has wonderful taste and considerable demand.
Throughout the Kokan fodder for the cattle is dry rice paddy straw. Only during rainy season cattle are fed with green grass. The trust as attempted successfully cultivation of Napier grass. Every 2 months interval, the grass is cut off and fed to the cattle. Furthermore, immediately after harvest of paddy the bajra seeds are broadcasted. With available moisture and post rainy conditions bajra grows well in 2 months. This also is fed to cattle as a green fodder.
Tree Plantation Program to Celebrate the Birthday of MBBS Students conducted Tree plantation program held by BKLWRMC every month to celebrate the birthday of MBBS students in respective month.
