By the Editor
In a rush to grow and prosper, people presume that modern methods are always the best which is not true. If one looks back, one will certainly notice that certain practices of the past are better and cannot be ignored. It is true that the Green Revolution has saved humanity from starvation and famine. Food production has increased manifold and consequently many farmers have become rich and prosperous. In order to implement the Grow More Food Campaign, industry-produced fertilisers of various kinds had been used generously at times causing acidity to the soil after many years thus rendering the land hard and infertile. Technology cannot be the solution every time and so other ways and means are to be found out. After careful observation and analysis, the answer is natural farming with improved knowledge which, at the same time, is comparatively cheap.
Agricultural scientists have discovered that earthworms, the fascinating creatures without bones, can weave into hard soil and work wonders for the benefit of farmers. An earthworm has no eyes, nose or ears and its head looks the same as its tail. It is a bisexual animal which cannot tolerate heat nor high temperature. So if it is exposed to hot sun or dry wind it will dehydrate and die. Moving slowly and steadily like a snake, it will tunnel through soft, damp top soil producing a slime to facilitate its penetration. At dusk when weather is cool and fresh, it will come out and eat decaying leaves or any other suitable food materials, at the same time being cautious from the preying birds and bigger insects or animals. While tunneling the soil, which may be as deep as up to eight feet or more below the surface, the worm will swallow the soil along with some decaying leaves and plants as well as some dead animals present in the soil. After digestion it will pass out from the other end to be deposited onto the surface of the ground and it is fertile. Meanwhile, air and oxygen enter through the passage made by earthworms to the ground below making the soil soft and fit again for cultivation. Scientists have found that earthworms can refertilise 10-18 tons of hard and dry soil per year in each acre of land. This technique has accordingly been studied by them and thus adopted for production of vermicompost, a good and cheap substitute for manure and fertiliser. Vermicomposting or vermitech is at present a simple and popular technique for converting solid waste disposal into manure. Rampant and reckless use of artificial fertilisers had destroyed earthworms and many of the living organisms. Scientists and planners are advocating and stressing on the importance of organic farming essential for preservation of soil fertility. Hence to ensure sustainable development and productivity, farmer’s faithful friends are to be well-appreciated because earthworms are friends for free.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his address at the National Conference on Natural Farming on December 16, 2021, emphasised on the significance of natural farming. Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma in his budget address on March 9 has increased fund for agriculture to Rs 1,500 crore and mentioned important missions for growth. It will be worthwhile if natural farming is also included in this sector.