Biodynamic Agriculture is a
holistic system of farming developed by Dr. Rudolf Steiner in 1924. This system
of farming is based on the lines of traditional systems being practiced in India
i)
Biodynamic (BD) preparations numbered from 500-508
ii)
Liquid manures
iii) Cow Pat Pit manure (CPP)
iv) Use of planting calendar to utilize the planetary
influences on plants
The biodynamic preparations
are numbered from 500 to 508. Preparation 500 and 501 are made by using cow
dung and quartz silica respectively. The other seven preparations are made by fermenting
herbs in a peculiar manner. These herbs are yarrow, chamomile, stinging nettle,
oak bark, dandelion, valerian and equisetum respectively. These preparations 502-507 are called the
compost preparations and are utilized in making the Biodynamic compost, liquid
manures and Cow Pat Pit. These preparations activate synthesis of different
nutrients in the final biodynamic compost. These are the components of
biological agriculture, capable of affording long-term sustainability to
agriculture and particularly to the ecosystem.
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| Students undergoing training on Biodynamic Preparation making |
Other
preparations like liquid manures, CPP and biodynamic stem paste are utilized
for a number of cultural practices in farming. Another unique feature in
biodynamic agriculture system is the use of biodynamic planting calendar for
various farm operations. Efforts are made to enliven the soil and restore its
fertility in the form of humus, increase the living system of soil by skilful
application of appropriate crop rotation.
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| Biodynamic Preparations in Bhutan |
Use of cosmic rhythms in
agriculture
The
life patterns of all living organisms are woven into the cosmic rhythms. The
present scientific world may not accept the fact regarding the influence of the
cosmic rhythms and the constellations on the life forms. Human life, as well as
animal and plant life, is strongly dependent on the rhythms of the earth. The
plant and animal life is instantly influenced by the sidereal and synodic
relationships of the sun, earth, moon and other planets. On the basis of such
influences the planting calendar is prepared for agricultural operations during
different timings of the year based on astronomical ephemeris.
There
are many experiences and scientific studies from different parts of the globe which
prove the efficacy of using the cosmic
rhythms in farming. Moreover it is a low-cost input and rediscovers the
tradition of living in tandem with nature.
Amazing Article indeed .
ReplyDeleteBiodynamics indeed appears to be the ideal solution to the current maladies affecting farming and Agriculture.
Today the general reference to food security is in context of Biochange and climate change .
Depletion of Ozone layer, greenhouse gases and global warming. Melting of ice caps rivers getting dry and farmers especially in the dry land areas will be the sufferers.
The food basket is becoming smaller and smaller due to multiple reasons.
The earth’s biodiversity currently faces an extinction crisis that is unprecedented. The time to act though a trifle late is NOW .
The need of the hour is to have a qualitative approach and a concerted effort towards achieving a holistic farming and Biodynamics seeminly appears to be the ideal imaginative combination of (some or all ) proven technologies in various focus areas as follows:
1. Sustainable Farming (S.F.)
2. Precision Farming(P.F.)
3. Do Nothing Farming (D.N.F.)
4. Organic Farming (O.F.)
5. Sustainable Farming (S.F.)
6. Cosmic Energy (C.E)
Each of the above areas has tremendous relevance in the present ever changing world Agriculture scenario.
A famous Indian saying" We are living on the legacy of our children and have a duty to perform and preserve the Earth."
By adopting simple holistics agri techniques like biodynamics, when we die,we would certainly leave more greenery and trees around us and make a Earth a better place for the future generation. Else the next generation will curse us.