Objectives of the union are:
Fruits, vegetables, cereals, medicines and plantation crops are
being grown in the one and a half acre land belonging to Punyabhoomi. Trenches
and percolation pits have been constructed in the farm as part of soil and water
conservation. Cow-dung manure and organic waste available in the neighbourhood
are liquidised and used as fertiliser. Weeding is not done unless a sapling has
to be planted in the area. Entire land is developing naturally without much
human interference. Vermicomposting is done to meet the needs of the farm.
Earthworms are provided to the interested. A house has been constructed with
rainwater harvesting and solar lighting facility.
- Implementing nature- friendly farming systems in its one and a half acre land.
- Documenting such methods and informing its importance to farmers and the public.
- Organising related programmes in villages.
Fruits, vegetables, cereals, medicines and plantation crops are
being grown in the one and a half acre land belonging to Punyabhoomi. Trenches
and percolation pits have been constructed in the farm as part of soil and water
conservation. Cow-dung manure and organic waste available in the neighbourhood
are liquidised and used as fertiliser. Weeding is not done unless a sapling has
to be planted in the area. Entire land is developing naturally without much
human interference. Vermicomposting is done to meet the needs of the farm.
Earthworms are provided to the interested. A house has been constructed with
rainwater harvesting and solar lighting facility.
Institute's Honoraray Director Mr. Vijay Angady says, "Farmers
in our organisation have distanced themselves from chemical farming which proved
very helpful. Now we intend to form a link between organic producers and
consumers." For this the organisation supplies organic farm produces to the
consumers. It has formed a network to meet the demand. Information regarding
nature-friendly farming and related topics are available in its office in the
form of press clippings, books, photographs and audio cassettes.
Address:
Punyabhoomi
Yadoor Village, Post: Hunasavalli
Aloor Taluk, Hasan District
Karnataka State, INDIA
Phone: 91- 8170 - 218180
Background:
Now the association has grown considerably, with more and more farmers opting
for organic farming. The organisation stands different in its mode of work. All
the members come together once in a month in a farm where they get useful
guidance from a successful farmer. Dissemination of information is done through
exchange of their experiences. According to Mr. Vijay Angady,"Observation and listening along with field exposure has facilitated a smooth
livelihood for its members. Farm tours to other regions in the state have added
to their knowledge bank." Uniqueness of the forum is that even after 10 years it
has limited itself to environment- friendly farming and related aspects, keeping
casteism, class difference and politics at a distance.
Punyabhoomi
Yadoor Village, Post: Hunasavalli
Aloor Taluk, Hasan District
Karnataka State, INDIA
Phone: 91- 8170 - 218180
Background:
Organic movement started a decade back in Hasan has changed the
lives of many farmers. When Mr. Vijay Angady, a post graduate from the
University of Agricultural Sciences joined the farm section of All India Radio,
Hasan, chemical farming was common in the region. Mr. Angady's earnest desire to
popularise eco- friendly farming led to the formation of 'Parisarapriya
Krishikara Seva Samsthe'. He initiated the programme with a small group of
farmers in June 1996 through a meeting.
Now the association has grown considerably, with more and more farmers opting
for organic farming. The organisation stands different in its mode of work. All
the members come together once in a month in a farm where they get useful
guidance from a successful farmer. Dissemination of information is done through
exchange of their experiences. According to Mr. Vijay Angady,"Observation and listening along with field exposure has facilitated a smooth
livelihood for its members. Farm tours to other regions in the state have added
to their knowledge bank." Uniqueness of the forum is that even after 10 years it
has limited itself to environment- friendly farming and related aspects, keeping
casteism, class difference and politics at a distance. 
Encouraged by the success of this effort Mr. Angady and other
members decided to have a model farm 'Punyabhoomi', from where Parisara Priya
Krishikara Sanghatane would work. Mr. G.S. Giddegowda, an organic farmer and a
teacher by profession has been chosen to lead the organisation along.
Punyabhoomi intends to implement eco- friendly farming methods in its one and a
half acre farm. With this, the association, which has already embraced 400
farmers into its fold would organise programmes to popularise these methods.
Punyabhoomi also plans to document related methods and inform the general public
on the advantages of organic farming.
