ESTABLISHING AN ORGANIC FARMING BASE
The first organic movement started in the Nilgiris in the early 1990s promoted by our team members. In 2001, under the banner of the Eco Agri Research Foundation (EARF), a resource nursery was set up to show models for the impossible- an organic, biodynamic (BD) farm growing vegetables & herbs without chemicals.
Training & awareness programmes were shared with local farmer groups, models for restoration of topsoil with the use of BD preparations, vedic traditional inputs, biomass/compost with mulching & crop management. The intention - to give them tools for positive change as their small farms, the eco system - earth, water & landscape as well as communities were becoming critically stressed.
In late 2004, the Earth Trust was set up primarily training local farmers & building local networks, trainings were also given for University students, horticulture officers from all over India & internationally, a group of 20 agriculture officers from Bhutan.
Local farmer's groups & centres were established and two other resource nurseries.
Training is now extended to around 100 farmers involved with other local NGOs or Community based Organisations which includes zero-budget or Eco-natura systems, especially for tribal groups who are, by nature, hunter gatherers.
Preparation of traditional on-farm inputs are an important component. Especially with the setting up of village cluster groups to support conversion from the inert chemicalised soil.
Marketing support has been given to assist the organic farmers to sell their produce locally to ensure food security & with outreach to 5 major towns in S.India for surpluses.
If you are interested in being part of this initiative, helping to support the work we are doing, sharing the turning of things, we are registered with FCRA (No.075901221) in India to receive funds from overseas - or if you are in UK, you can contact our funding organisation :
www.friendsofhope.org.uk