ORGANIC FARMING OF MILLETS, DAIRY

AND VERMICULITE/VERMICULTURE
[EIRI/EDPR/3724] J.C.: 1817

INTRODUCTION

In the present agricultural scenario, crop yield is declining day by day despite
maximization of chemical inputs. Vicious cycle of chemical farming is now
exposed in the increasing crop un-sustainability, higher input requirement, poor
soil quality as well as recurrent pest and disease infestation. Moreover, in the
pretext of climate change yield interference has become quite predictable under
the unpredictable weather conditions vis-a-vis hike in biotic potential. The
excess/indiscriminate use of pesticides and fertilizers has led to the entry of
harmful compounds into food chain, death of natural enemies and deterioration of
surrounding ecology. Enhanced use of pesticide has resulted in serious health
implications to man and his environment. Hence, enhancement and maintenance
of system productivity and resource quality is essential for sustainable
agriculture. Organic farming can solve many of these problems as this system
helps to maintain soil productivity and effectively control pest by enhancing
natural processes and cycles in harmony with environment. Today, it is clear to
the agricultural community that organic farming is the best option for not only
protecting/sustaining soil-plant –ecological relationship but to mitigate the
adverse effect of climate change. However dearth of proper technological
advancement is the major hindrance towards achieving the true objectives of
organic farming. In this background, an Indian organic farming practice called
Inhana Rational Farming (IRF) Technology has demonstrated some promising
results that have brought bring forth the relevance of organic farming in today’s
agricultural scenario.

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Though the organic movement was initiated over a decade ago it has failed to gain
the expected momentum due to several ambiguities. Organic farming is mostly
envisaged as the stoppage of synthetic inputs and their replacement by organic
alternatives i.e.use of organic manures and natural methods of plant protection
instead of using synthetic fertilizers/pesticides. But this is not true. However,
organic farming is a far deeper concept that mere non-chemicalization. In real
sense it refers to a comprehensive approach towards improvement of both health
of underlying productivity of the soil and plant leading to the enrichment of the
surrounding ecology; which is a pre-requisite criterion for sustainable agriculture.
According to IFOAM, “Organic agriculture is a production system that sustains the
health of soils, ecosystems and people”. It relies on ecological processes,
biodiversity and cycles adapted to local conditions, rather than the use of inputs
with adverse effects. The major objectivity of organic farming resides on
development of a self-sustainable farming system in harmony with nature which
delivers ecologically and economically sustainable pure food with enrichment of
surrounding biodiversity and its entire components.

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Millets

Millets are some of the oldest of cultivated crops. The term millet is applied to
various grass crops whose seeds are harvested for food or feed. The five millet
species of commercial importance are proso, foxtail, barnyard, browntop and
pearl. In China, records of culture for foxtail and proso millet extend back to 2000
to 1000 BC Foxtail millet (Setaria italica L.) probably originated in southern Asia
and is the oldest of the cultivated millets. It is also known as Italian or German
Millet. Its culture slowly spread westward towards Europe. Foxtail millet was
rarely grown in the U.S. during colonial times, but its acreage increased
dramatically in the Great Plains after 1850. However, with the introduction of
Sudan grass, acreage planted to foxtail millet decreased.

Proso millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) was introduced into the U.S. from Europe
during the 18th century. It was first grown along the eastern seaboard and was
later introduced into the Dakotas where it later was grown on considerable
acreage. In North Dakota acreage has ranged from 50,000 to 100,000 acres while
in Minnesota only a few thousand acres have been grown.

Today, foxtail millet is grown primarily in eastern Asia. Proso millet is grown in the
Soviet Union, mainland China, India and western Europe. In the United States,
both millets are grown principally in the Dakotas, Colorado and Nebraska.

Barnyard or Japanese millet (Echinochloa frumentaceae L.), is a domesticated

relative of the seed, barnyard grass. It is grown for grain in Australia, Japan and
other Asian countries. In the United States, it is grown primarily as a forage.

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Browntop millet (Panicum ramosum) is a native of India and was introduced into
the United States in 1915. It is grown in southeastern United States for hay or
pasture and bird and quail feed plantings on game preserves. It is sometimes sold
to Minnesota sportsmen for this purpose. Seed and forage yields of browntop
millet have been low in Minnesota tests and it did not compete well with weeds.

Pearl or cattail millet (Pennisetum glaucum) originated in the African savannah

and grown since prehistoric time. It is grown extensively in Africa, Asia, India and
Near East as a food grain. It was introduced into the United States at an early
date but was seldom grown until 1875. It is primarily grown in southern United
States as a temporary pasture. It is preferred over sudangrass as a forage crop in
the south. Varieties planted at Rosemount, Minnesota produced very little seed,
and their forage yield was low compared to foxtail varieties.

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 CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
VERMICULITE
USES AND COMPOSITION OF MILLET
TABLE: AVERAGE COMPOSITION OF PROSO MILLET.
TABLE: THE AVERAGE COMPOSITION OF FOXTAIL MILLET HAY
AND ITS COMPARISON TO OTHER HAY CROPS.
ORGANIC FARMING AND CERTIFIED ORGANIC
TYPES OF ORGANIC FARMING
USES & APPLICATION OF ORGANIC FARMING
RAW MATERIALS
CONSTRAINTS FACED BY THE INDIAN ORGANIC GROWERS
ABSENCE OF SUPPORTIVE POLICY
LOSS OF CROP YIELD
NON ACHIEVEMENT OF EXPECTED QUALITY
FAILURE OF ORGANIC PEST MANAGEMENT
SHORTAGE OF BIOMASS AND LIVESTOCK
LACK OF QUALITY SEEDS SUPPORTING ORGANIC AGRICULTURE
LACK OF STORAGE, TRANSPORT &ORGANIZED ORGANIC MARKETING
SYSTEM
VESTED INTERESTS OF CHEMICAL AND PESTICIDE LOBBY
LACK OF AWARENESS AND GUIDELINE FOR ORGANIC FARMING
INABILITY TO MEET THE EXPORT DEMAND
COMPLEXITY AND HIGH COST OF ORGANIC CERTIFICATION SYSTEM
SCARCITY AND HIGH COST FOR QUALITY ANALYSIS
PRESENT STATUS AND FUTURE OF ORGANIC FARMING IN INDIA
TABLE: EXPORT OF ORGANIC AGRICULTURAL COMMODITY
FROM INDIA (2014-15 TO 2016-17)
PROSPECTS AND SWOT ANALYSIS OF ORGANIC DAIRY FARMING IN INDIA
STRENGTHS
WEAKNESSES
OPPORTUNITIES
THREATS
TABLE: MAXIMUM NUMBER OF ANIMALS PER HECTARE
(DRAFT INDIAN STANDARD)
WORLD SCENARIO OF ORGANIC FARMING
SOME KEY POINTS
FIGURE 1: DISTRIBUTION OF ORGANIC LAND AS PER USE TYPE
FIGURE 2: PERCENT SHARE OF ORGANIC OVER TOTAL AGRICULTURAL LAND

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OVERVIEW OF ORGANIC COTTON IN INDIA
HIGH LEVELS OF PESTICIDE APPLICATION:
CONSUMER PRESSURE:
WIDE GENETIC VARIABILITY:
LONG DURATION CROP WITH AMPLE SCOPE FOR COMPENSATION:
ORGANIC COTTON CULTIVATION IN INDIA – A CULMINATION OF NON-
CHEMICAL PEST MANAGEMENT
TECHNOLOGICAL CHALLENGES IN ORGANIC FARMING
MECHANISM OF PLANT ENERGIZATION UNDER IRF TECHNOLOGY
FOLLOWING EEA PRINCIPLE
RANKING OF DIFFERENT PACKAGE OF PRACTICE IN TERMS OF CROP
EFFICIENCY & COST PER HECTARE FOR MATURE TEA
TABLE: COMPARATIVE STUDY OF CROP CULTIVATION UNDER IRF ORGANIC &
CHEMICAL FARMING PRACTICE (SOURCE: WORLD SCIENCE CONGRESS, 2017)
TABLE: INDIAN SEED CERTIFICATION STANDARD VIS-A-VIS SEEDS
PRODUCED AT BLOCK SEED FARM, CANNING, WEST BENGAL
(SOURCE: CANNING REPORT, 2017).
ORGANIC DAIRY FARMING
OPPORTUNITY AND CHALLENGES IN ORGANIC DAIRY FARMING
BENEFITS OF ORGANIC MILK
KEY ASPECTS FOR ORGANIC MILK PRODUCTION
EU STANDARDS
STARTING CONVERSION
TIME SCALE
FEEDING
FORAGE
CONCENTRATES
MINERALS AND VITAMINS
GRASSLAND
LIVESTOCK MANURES
HOUSING
ANIMAL HEALTH
BSE
EXISTING STOCK
REPLACEMENTS
CALVES
BULLS
SELLING AND BUYING STOCK
ORGANIC COTTON CULTIVATION AND ITS MERITS
MERITS OF ORGANIC COTTON CULTIVATION
(A) ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY TECHNOLOGY
(B) REDUCTION IN COST OF CULTIVATION
(C) MANAGEMENT OF INSECTICIDE RESISTANCE
CULTIVATION/FARMING METHOD OF ORGANIC COTTON

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1] SELECTION OF SITE
2] VARIETAL SELECTION
3] SEED RATE AND SOWING
4] MANURING
A] FARM YARD MANURING [FYM]
B] FODDER COWPEA
C] DHAINCHA (SESBANIA ACULEATA)
D] VERMICOMPOST
E] BIOFERTILISERS
5) TECHNOLOGY FOR COMPOSTING
(I) VERMICOMPOST
(II) COMPOSTING OF COTTON STALKS THROUGH TRICHODERMA VIRIDE
6) WEED MANAGEMENT
7) SELECTION OF ROTATIONS
8) IPM STRATEGIES FOR CROP PROTECTION
ORGANIC CULTIVATION METHOD OF MILLET
A. CLIMATE:
B. SOIL:
C. SEED PREPARATION AND GERMINATION:
CULTURAL PRACTICES:
A. SEEDBED PREPARATION:
B. SEEDING DATE:
C. METHOD AND DATE OF SEEDING:
D. FERTILITY AND LIME REQUIREMENTS:
TABLE: ANNUAL NITROGEN RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MILLET.
TABLE: ANNUAL PHOSPHORUS AND POTASSIUM RECOMMENDATIONS
FOR MILLET.
E. VARIETY SELECTION:
RECOMMENDED FORAGE VARIETY:
OTHER VARIETIES
F. WEED CONTROL:
G. DISEASES AND THEIR CONTROL:
H. INSECTS AND MITES AND THEIR CONTROL:
I. HARVESTING:
J. DRYING AND STORAGE:
YIELD POTENTIAL AND PERFORMANCE RESULTS:
A. MINNESOTA:
TABLE: YIELD AND AGRONOMIC DATA FOR SEVERAL MILLET VARIETIES.
METHOD OF ORGANIC SOYBEAN CULTIVATION AND PESTS &
DISEASE MANAGEMENT
ROW SPACING
PLANT POPULATION
SOIL FERTILITY
WEED MANAGEMENT

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INSECT PEST MANAGEMENT
CROP ROTATION
TILLAGE
SOIL FERTILITY AND PH MAINTENANCE
VARIETY SELECTION AND EARLY PLANTING
NARROW ROWS
REMEDIAL MANAGEMENT
MAJOR SOYBEAN INSECT PESTS AND DISEASE MANAGEMENT
CORN EARWORM AND TOBACCO BUDWORM
STINK BUGS
SOYBEAN LOOPER
BEAN LEAF BEETLE
DISEASE MANAGEMENT
ORGANIC CASH CROPPING (CEREALS & SOYBEAN)
LAND BASE
TRANSITION
ROTATION
FERTILITY
ESTABLISHMENT
SOYBEANS
CEREALS
CHALLENGES
WEED CONTROL
ELEMENTS OF ORGANIC COTTON CULTIVATION
VARIETALS SELECTION
SEED RATE AND SOWING
SOIL FERTILITY
WEED MANAGEMENT
PEST MANAGEMENT
BIOCONTROL BASED PEST MANAGEMENT
METHOD OF ORGANIC FARMING FOR BANANA
ORGANIC PRODUCTION:
CLIMATE AND SOIL
LAND PREPARATION
VARIETIES
PLANTING MATERIAL
PLANTING AND INFILLING
INTERCROPPING
MANURING
IRRIGATION
INTERCULTURE OPERATIONS
PROPPING
MULCHING
DESUCKERING

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OTHER OPERATIONS
PLANT PROTECTION
HARVESTING
YIELD
LINKAGES:
VERMICULTURE
VERMICULTURE PROCESS
SELECTION OF SUITABLE SPECIES
PRELIMINARY TREATMENT OF COMPOSTING MATERIAL
PRE-TREATMENT OF LEAF LITTER AND AGRICULTURAL WASTE
VERMICULTURE AND POLLUTION HAZARD
MANUFACACTURING PROCESS OF BIO COMPOST
FROM FARMYARD FARMING:-
COMPOSTING:-
PROCESS FLOW SHEET FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF COMPOST
SUPPLIERS OF RAW MATERIALS
SUPPLIERS OF PLANT AND MACHINERY

APPENDIX – A:

01. PLANT ECONOMICS

02. LAND & BUILDING
03. PLANT AND MACHINERY
04. OTHER FIXED ASSESTS
05. FIXED CAPITAL
06. RAW MATERIAL
07. SALARY AND WAGES
08. UTILITIES AND OVERHEADS
09. TOTAL WORKING CAPITAL
10. TOTAL CAPITAL INVESTMENT
11. COST OF PRODUCTION
12. TURN OVER/ANNUM
13. BREAK EVEN POINT
14. RESOURCES FOR FINANCE
15. INSTALMENT PAYABLE IN 5 YEARS
16. DEPRECIATION CHART FOR 5 YEARS
17. PROFIT ANALYSIS FOR 5 YEARS
18. PROJECTED BALANCE SHEET FOR (5 YEARS)

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 COST ESTIMATION

Land & Building (81 Acres) Rs. 32 Cr

Plant & Machinery Rs. 2 Cr
Working Capital for 2 Months Rs. 2.08 Cr
Total Capital Investment Rs. 46.54 Cr
Rate of Return 24%
Break Even Point 43%

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