FARMER'S NOTEBOOK
The farmer as scientist, a Karnataka example
M.J. PRABU
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The lady farmer has a good collection of native seeds
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Photo: UAS
Natural brilliance: Mrs. Papamma Papanna practises organic farming.
Till a few years back, the name Mrs. Papama was unknown to many in Karnataka. But after the State government conferred the prestigious Rajyothsava award for her work in conserving native seeds and practising organic farming, at the famous annual Krishi Mela held at Gandhi Krishi Vigyan Kendra (GKVK), University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS), Bangalore, she has become a household name.
Native seeds
“What is special about Mrs. Papama is that though an illiterate (she learnt to sign her name only a year ago) and having less than 3 acres, her enthusiasm in selecting and storing several native seeds, and carrying on organic farming in her three-acre dryland goes to show how much value and importance she places on traditional farming methods,” says Dr. P.G. Chengappa, Vice Chancellor, UAS.
“I have never bought vegetables from any shop, vendor or market for the last 20 years. All my vegetable requirements have been met by growing them in my own land,” says Mrs. Papama.
She has been growing the vegetables in spaces in front and behind her small hut.
Personal visits
“For collecting these traditional and native seeds I personally travel to many villages in and around my village and preserve them to be used later,” she says.
In addition to growing vegetables, she has preserved about 11 varieties of native ragi (finger millet) and 50 different grain varieties in mud pots. But how does she manage to preserve the seeds in mud pots avoiding insect attacks or infestations?
Traditional methods
“I use neem leaf powder to protect the seeds from insects and pests during storage,” she explains.
Ragi, Thelhamsa paddy variety, Benne mudde ragi, purple red beans, foxtail millet, brinjal, ridge gourd, velvet beans and pumpkin are some of the crops which she continuously cultivates in her land.
Every drop of water is conserved in her house. “As water is a major problem in this area, I am careful not to waste the precious commodity and make use of water from the kitchen and waste water after washing clothes to grow vegetables,” she explains.
She mixes cow urine with sand, and allows the sand to dry and uses it as manure later.
In her small mango garden she has successfully cultivated groundut, ragi, maize, cowpea, as intercrops. Further, tamarind and custard apple trees can also been seen.
Guiding them
“Farmers are the real scientists. Though scientists can help the farmers in guiding them the real work in the field is done by the farmers.
“A good farmer will have a fair knowledge about his local ecosystem and have an eagle’s eye for minute details about his land and his crop.
“For example, Mrs. Papama’s ability to get good crop yields such as ragi and vegetables even in dry soil conditions and in between rocks, demonstrates her special knowledge and skills in agriculture,” says Dr. Chengappa.
Motivating factor
In fact, Mrs. Papama has been responsible for motivating several villagers to grow vegetables.
“Initially when their response was not positive, I personally went to several homes, dug the soil and planted the seeds and watered them.
“Seeing the good crop growth and convinced that it can fetch them more money, my neighbours started to follow my example.
“Today almost all the homes in my village have a small vegetable garden, which caters to their personal and market demands,” says Papama with a sense of pride.
Self sufficient
Her sheer motivation and interest has unknowingly created a revolution by making the village self sufficient in food and created an awareness on organic farming as well as conserving traditional seeds.
For more information readers can contact Mrs. Papamma Papanna, D. Kurubarahalli village, Mulubagal taluk, Kolar district, Karnataka, mobiles: 9341019880 and 9742106768 and Director of Extension, UAS, Hebbal, Bangalore: 560024, email: deuasb@yahoo.co.in, phone: 080-23418883.
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