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| site_visit_and_survey_notes [2008-04-15 07:06] – sanjeev | site_visit_and_survey_notes [2008-04-15 12:01] – sanjeev |
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| * Urbanization and industrialization affect agriculture in the peri-urban areas, as population pressure from the city results in changes in land use , from agricultural to urban land use, be it for housing, commercial, industrial or other purposes. Where the land use remains agricultural, cultivation practices change. Access to urban ready markets for agricultural produce and for seasonal labour open up the possibility of cultivating on a commercial basis high-value, highly perishable crops such as leafy vegetables, replacing storable crops such as cereals and pulses. Industries and their derivative trade and commerce offer new labour opportunities for cultivators and agricultural labourers, resulting in changing occupational structures. | * Urbanization and industrialization affect agriculture in the peri-urban areas, as population pressure from the city results in changes in land use , from agricultural to urban land use, be it for housing, commercial, industrial or other purposes. Where the land use remains agricultural, cultivation practices change. Access to urban ready markets for agricultural produce and for seasonal labour open up the possibility of cultivating on a commercial basis high-value, highly perishable crops such as leafy vegetables, replacing storable crops such as cereals and pulses. Industries and their derivative trade and commerce offer new labour opportunities for cultivators and agricultural labourers, resulting in changing occupational structures. |
| * The role of agriculture as a livelihood strategy for the poor in peri-urban areas: access to land and water is the prime condition for urban peri agriculture | * The role of agriculture as a livelihood strategy for the poor in peri-urban areas: access to land and water is the prime condition for urban peri agriculture |
| * Wheat, rice and great and spiked millet are cultivated on most of the agricultural land. Vegetable cultivation is also popular. | * Wheat, rice and spiked millet are cultivated on most of the agricultural land. Vegetable cultivation is also popular. |
| * The number of days of involvement in agriculture as reported by labourers surveyed ranged from 100 to 270 days per year. On average, agricultural labourers were involved for 48 days in zaid/summer (May-June), 55 days in kharif/wet (July-October) and 52 days in rabi/winter season (October-April). | * The number of days of involvement in agriculture as reported by labourers surveyed ranged from 100 to 270 days per year. On average, agricultural labourers were involved for 48 days in zaid/summer (May-June), 55 days in kharif/wet (July-October) and 52 days in rabi/winter season (October-April). |
| * Agriculture has an important function in providing employment for poor people in the fringe areas of Delhi. The agricultural activities have a fairly rural character, with dominant roles for cereal (such as wheat, millet and paddy) and fodder crops. Typical cropping systems are millet-wheat; millet-mustard; and paddy-wheat in the kharif and rabi seasons. These cropping systems depend on widely available irrigation facilities - in 1995-96, 89 percent of the land of Delhi NCT was irrigated (Government of NCT of Delhi, 1997). However, farmers opined that frequent interruptions in the electricity supply limited their access to irrigation, particularly for the poorer ones who cannot afford diesel generator sets for pumping. | * Agriculture has an important function in providing employment for poor people in the fringe areas of Delhi. The agricultural activities have a fairly rural character, with dominant roles for cereal (such as wheat, millet and paddy) and fodder crops. Typical cropping systems are millet-wheat; millet-mustard; and paddy-wheat in the kharif and rabi seasons. These cropping systems depend on widely available irrigation facilities - in 1995-96, 89 percent of the land of Delhi NCT was irrigated (Government of NCT of Delhi, 1997). However, farmers opined that frequent interruptions in the electricity supply limited their access to irrigation, particularly for the poorer ones who cannot afford diesel generator sets for pumping. |
| than 61,000. In 2004, India's share was only 0.001 per cent of the global organic market of $31 billion. Certification is the weakest link here. Currently the export of organic products is allowed only if "the produce is packed under a valid organic certification issued by a certifying agency accredited by a designated agency." in October 2003, the Indian Central Government set up a //National Institute of Organic Farming// in Ghaziabad. The purpose of this institute is to formulate rules, regulations and certification of organic farm products in conformity with international standards. The major organic products sold in the global markets include dried fruits and nuts, cocoa, spices, herbs, oil crops, and derived products. Non-food items include cotton, cut flowers, livestock and potted plants. | than 61,000. In 2004, India's share was only 0.001 per cent of the global organic market of $31 billion. Certification is the weakest link here. Currently the export of organic products is allowed only if "the produce is packed under a valid organic certification issued by a certifying agency accredited by a designated agency." in October 2003, the Indian Central Government set up a //National Institute of Organic Farming// in Ghaziabad. The purpose of this institute is to formulate rules, regulations and certification of organic farm products in conformity with international standards. The major organic products sold in the global markets include dried fruits and nuts, cocoa, spices, herbs, oil crops, and derived products. Non-food items include cotton, cut flowers, livestock and potted plants. |
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| The fees for registering a farm as 'organic' and getting international certification is extremely high for small farmers. Further the process is time consuming. Under the government policy in 2005, it took four years for a farm to be certified as organic. The cost of preparing the report was a flat fee of Rs. 5000, and the certificate itself costs another Rs. 5000. While these costs are bearable for the new industrial organic greenhouses, they are equal to or more than an entire year's income for the average small farmer, if the costs of travel and inspection are included. For those farmers who want to make a switch to organic farming, the intermittent 3 year transition period, during which the crops may be less plentiful than with conventional fertilizers and pesticides, and yet the higher price for organic products won't yet be possible because the cetification takes will take time. This is also a deterrent. | The fees for registering a farm as 'organic' and getting international certification is extremely high for small farmers. Further the process is time consuming. Under the government policy in 2005, it took four years for a farm to be certified as organic. The cost of preparing the report was a flat fee of Rs. 5000, and the certificate itself costs another Rs. 5000. While these costs are bearable for the new industrial organic greenhouses, they are equal to or more than an entire year's income for the average small farmer, if the costs of travel and inspection are included. For those farmers who want to make a switch to organic farming, the intermittent 3 year transition period, during which the crops may be less plentiful than with conventional fertilizers and pesticides, and yet the higher price for organic products won't yet be possible because the certification will take time. This is also a deterrent. Further, almost all bank loans are for pure crop farmers, that is, monoculturalists. While many of these big-business farmers use harmful chemicals and processes, small farmers fertilizing their soil with recycled organic wastes are usually ineligible for insurance, much less state subsidies. |
| Further, almost all bank loans are for pure crop farmers, that is, monoculturalists. While many of these big-business farmers use harmful chemicals and processes, small farmers fertilizing their soil with recycled organic wastes are usually ineligible for insurance, much less state subsidies. | |
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| For detailed and comparative analysis please click on the document below: | For detailed and comparative analysis please click on the document below: |
| ====Gurukula Botanical Sanctuary==== | ====Gurukula Botanical Sanctuary==== |
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| Spread over 55 acres, the Gurukula Botanical Sanctuary is a garden of wild plant species grown at the edge of a large rainforest reserve in the Western Ghat Mountains of Kerala, India. It is dedicated to conservation and education. Founded in 1981, the Sanctuary restores endangered species and habitats in a highly fragmented landscape, where only a fraction of original forest remains and much of the native flora has been tragically and sometimes deliberately extracted or “cleaned up” for human use. While witnessing the exuberant growth of anthuriums and begonias around us, we discuss the impact of the growing popularity of ayurveda and organic teas on the forests and how their price does not reflect the real price we all are paying in the long run. I am told the amount of bio mass which goes into their production is shockingly high. Of course there are issues of the rise and fall of tea and coffee prices and how economics and ecology have become interlinked. We move on and see the epiphytic orchids in the orchidarium conserved in the most impressive manner. I am told that out of 300000 known plants about 30000 are orchids. The sanctuary itself is a repository of over 2000 plant species which is about one-third of the entire regions flora. These have been rescued from degraded and destroyed environments. While we are told about a pit viper which is often seen coiled up among the plants, another viper quietly waits next to the pond, attracted by the numerous frogs that breed there. Conservation in this district of Wayanad, where the original settlers were small migrant farmers with immediate survival needs, is an exceptionally challenging job. Fighting for the last bits of rain forests is not a choice, but a crucial need and responsibility here. The care and patience with which these plants have been brought back to life, I feel there is no other way to protect them. Such single minded focus is what makes this place special. | Spread over 55 acres, the Gurukula Botanical Sanctuary is a garden of wild plant species grown at the edge of a large rainforest reserve in the Western Ghat Mountains of Kerala, India. It is dedicated to conservation and education. Founded in 1981, the Sanctuary restores endangered species and habitats in a highly fragmented landscape, where only a fraction of original forest remains and much of the native flora has been tragically and sometimes deliberately extracted or “cleaned up” for human use. While witnessing the exuberant growth of anthuriums and begonias around us, we discussed the impact of the growing popularity of ayurveda and organic teas on the forests and how their price does not reflect the real price we all are paying in the long run. The researcher is informed that the amount of bio mass which goes into their production is shockingly high. Of course there are issues of the rise and fall of tea and coffee prices and how economics and ecology have become interlinked. As we move on, we see the epiphytic orchids in the orchidarium conserved in the most impressive manner. Out of 300000 known plants about 30000 are orchids. The sanctuary itself is a repository of over 2000 plant species which is about one-third of the entire regions flora. These have been rescued from degraded and destroyed environments. Conservation in this district of Wayanad, where the original settlers were small migrant farmers with immediate survival needs, is an exceptionally challenging job. Fighting for the last bits of rain forests is not a choice, but a crucial need and responsibility here. The care and patience with which these plants have been brought back to life, convinces the researcher about the need for single minded focus in such a context. |
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| The Sanctuary is run by a small group of resident gardeners, naturalists and educators, and supported by a wide circle of well-wishers. Together it offers an approach that is connected to the climate, landscape, ecosystems, plants, animals and people of the region. In Suprabha’s own words, “The focus here is to find creative, localized and effective ways to restore natural places. Termed as ecosystem gardening, this involves working closely with plants and their environments: tending, cultivating, growing, reseeding, intervening, as much as leaving wild spaces alone. There is clear evidence that the forests will return if we give them a chance.” I notice that a large part of the land area is left alone to harness natural restorative powers. In other parts native species are given quick access by pulling out exotic plants. Then there are very small areas where the intervention happens in great detail, where every plant is known and tended carefully and systematically. I witness this with two resident gardeners who are preparing specific solutions for orchids. I see the soil being heated at one end on a customised wire mesh tray to rid it of fungi and numerous casts being prepared to act as tiles or barks for the stag horn ferns which are quiet striking in their form and survival methods. From using the right type of organic manure, to growing a specific plant in the most appropriate location in the entire site to the use of locally available products, I realize that this place has developed answers and solutions over an incredible 25 year period. It has not been easy. During this period, the residents have discovered ways to grow these tender specimens to achieve self-regulation, a time when the plants propagate themselves in complex milieus that resemble their original habitats. It does seem self-sustaining now. Improvisation and recycling has been a crucial key to keep the overheads minimum. It’s heartening to know from Suprabha that, “over time, the distinction between healing areas and the natural forest has diminished. Both, species diversity and forest structure have made a marvellous comeback in areas that had been completely devastated.” This is indeed felt in the surroundings. Over the years as the micro habitats have become more established, everyone has noticed an increase in local fauna_ from butterflies, small mammals and amphibians to birds and snakes. This has been a wonderful bonus for the sanctuary. Apart from conservation and education the work at the sanctuary includes: developing horticultural and conservation skills in local young women; habitat restoration and forest recovery; research in biodiversity, forest ecology, plant taxonomy; and sustainable agriculture and integrated land use to grow the forest farm. | The Sanctuary is run by a small group of resident gardeners, naturalists and educators, and supported by a wide circle of well-wishers. Together it offers an approach that is connected to the climate, landscape, ecosystems, plants, animals and people of the region. In Suprabha’s own words, “The focus here is to find creative, localized and effective ways to restore natural places. Termed as ecosystem gardening, this involves working closely with plants and their environments: tending, cultivating, growing, reseeding, intervening and leaving as much wild space alone. There is clear evidence that the forests will return if we give them a chance.” The researcher notices that a large part of the land area is left alone to harness natural restorative powers. In other parts native species are given quick access by pulling out exotic plants. Then there are very small areas where the intervention happens in great detail, where every plant is known and tended carefully and systematically. I witness this with two resident gardeners who are preparing specific solutions for orchids. I see the soil being heated at one end on a customised wire mesh tray to rid it of fungi and numerous casts being prepared to act as tiles or barks for the stag horn ferns which are quiet striking in their form and survival methods. From using the right type of organic manure, to growing a specific plant in the most appropriate location in the entire site to the use of locally available products, this place has developed answers and solutions over an incredible 25 year period. It has not been easy. During this period, the residents have discovered ways to grow these tender specimens to achieve self-regulation, a time when the plants propagate themselves in complex milieus that resemble their original habitats. It does seem self-sustaining now. Improvisation and recycling has been a crucial key to keep the overheads minimum. It’s heartening to know from Suprabha that, “over time, the distinction between healing areas and the natural forest has diminished. Both, species diversity and forest structure have made a marvellous comeback in areas that had been completely devastated.” This is indeed felt in the surroundings. Over the years as the micro habitats have become more established, everyone has noticed an increase in local fauna_ from butterflies, small mammals and amphibians to birds and snakes. This has been a wonderful bonus for the sanctuary. Apart from conservation and education the work at the sanctuary includes: developing horticultural and conservation skills in local young women; habitat restoration and forest recovery; research in biodiversity, forest ecology, plant taxonomy; and sustainable agriculture and integrated land use to grow the forest farm. |
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| The sanctuary brings back memories of remote tribes in north east India and the way they allow their work and rituals to become a seamless extension of their life. However, here, the difference lies in a strong sense of independence and pride in the work. Everyone can speak in English and that is a great equaliser. I see joy, love, and complete immersion in everyone’s eyes. | The sanctuary brings back memories of remote tribes in north east India and the way they allow their work and rituals to become a seamless extension of their life. However, here, the difference lies in a strong sense of independence and pride in the work. Everyone can speak in English and that is a great equaliser. There is joy, love, and complete immersion in everyone’s eyes. |
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| The results in Gurukula are due to a clear understanding and acceptance of the complexity of the problem and of the diversity of techniques required, including detailed long-term observation, scientific knowledge, sound horticultural practice, rigorous experimentation and excellent team work. I am told that over the years a broad knowledge base of 120 plant families covering ecology, biogeography, taxonomy, plant pathology and horticulture has been developed and this has inspired not just the local and national communities but also many international organizations. | The results in Gurukula are due to a clear understanding and acceptance of the complexity of the problem and of the diversity of techniques required, including detailed long-term observation, scientific knowledge, sound horticultural practice, rigorous experimentation and excellent team work. Over the years a broad knowledge base of 120 plant families covering ecology, biogeography, taxonomy, plant pathology and horticulture has been developed and this has inspired not just the local and national communities but also many international organizations. |
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