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| Jacob Sebastian, Karikkampally, Alappuzha |
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The gossamer fenced paddy field of Jacob Sebastian has been a curious sight for his neighbours. Sebastian, a practitioner of organic farming had resorted to such a fenced to ward off the pests.
Whatever be the effect of the flimsiest of fences, pests do not bother his paddy overmuch. For the last 11 years he has been practicing farming without ploughing. That he is able to market his rice, branded ‘Annam’, at Rs.30 per kilo is itself a testimony to the market potential of the method.
Sebastian turned to organic farming after visiting an exhibition at Alappuzha. As a beginning, he stopped using chemical pesticides, and then slowly reduced the usage of chemical fertilizers.
The switchover to organic farming did not affect the yield. However, during the last few years the yield had come down unexpectedly and considerably. But with the advice of an organization called ‘Sedar’, Thrissur, he has been able to overcome that problem. He used concentrated compost and other organic sprays to do the trick.
Another item that he produces and markets under the brand name ‘Manna’ is mushroom. The waste from this is used as manure for paddy.
By producing and marketing 2 branded products, Sebastian is proving the viability of organic farming.
Courtesy: James (text), K.R. Anil Kumar (photo), Karshakan, March 2003
Contributed by: Administrator
