RID POVERTY & HUNGER IN 50 INDIAN TRIBAL VILLAGES

With the start of the New Year 2018, the Earth Trust (ET) wanted to kick start its farming program afresh and with renewed vigor. A meeting was conducted between ET and ET’s organic vegetable growers to discuss the experiences of organic farming and the way forward. The meeting was attended by ET staff and about 20 ET farmers.

A presentation was made by Ms. Nimmi John and Mr. Jeyakumar of ET on the Organic World Congress, held during November 2017. ET’s experiences on attending the Congress, meeting with the delegates from several countries worldwide and discussing with them on the wide range of subjects concerning organic agriculture were shared during the presentation. Mr. Jeyakumar spoke briefly on the theme – importance of seed bank as discussed in the Congress.

The ET’s farmers shared their experiences on organic farming. The senior most ET farmer, Mr. Megaraj spoke on how he has been involved with the Earth Trust since its inception. He asserted that there is no monetary loss in organic farming provided one is self-motivated. Mr. Balan, another farmer spoke on how he has been passionate for farming since his childhood. He says that his friends have been a source of inspiration in terms of sharing ideas pertaining to farming and sharing of seeds, which according to him is extremely important. The importance of biodynamic farming and the need to follow biodynamic calendar for farming practices were shared by some of the farmers.

This was followed by a presentation by Mr. Ganesh on the Earth Trust’s programs and its achievements during the last five years. The presentation also dealt with a new software developed by ET for farm management. Certification process for organic agriculture was also discussed in the meeting.

Overall it was a highly interactive and productive session with the ET farmers, who along with the Earth Trust continue to be torch bearers of the organic movement in the Nilgiris District in India. The year 2017 saw the organic farming of ET grew leaps and bounds, and has a long way to go. A new office of ET was started in Coonoor during 2017 to oversee the various programs of ET.

The Earth Trust would like to take this opportunity to thank all its supporters and well wishers and wish all a very happy 2018. We solicit your continued support for a greener, safer world.