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Bio-Farming: A holistic approach for Social Upliftment and Better Health
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South Asian J. Food Technol. Environ., 3(1):521-525 (2017)
L_[^ P[p_r ISSN 2394-5168(Print), 2454- 6445(online)
www.sweft.in
Bio-Farming: A holistic approach for Social Upliftment and Better Health
Sanjeev Kumar1*, Kanchan Mala2, L. R. Meena1, S. K. Kochewad1, L. K. Meena1 and
S.P. Singh1
1
ICAR-Indian Institute of Farming Systems Research, Modipuram – 250 110
2
M. A. (Sociology) Scholars, IGNOU, New Delhi-110030
* Email: bhanusanjeev@gmail.com
Abstract
Bio-farming helps the vulnerable farmers to have variability in their source of income at minimal cost
sustaining soil health and preventing eco-system from the harmful effect of pesticides and chemical
fertilizers. It paves several ways for the farmers through which they generate more income coupled with
higher purchasing power. In fact, managements involved in bio- farming confer good prospects to
improve soil fertility and minimize soil degradation with the help of natural resource conservation and
their recycling. Bio- farming is technique of cultivation which drastically curtails the use of chemicals
leading to better quality food products with high nutritive values. At the same time, it includes crop
rotation, crop residues, organic waste, green manure and use of bio agents for biological pest control.
Paper cited: Kumar S., Mala, K., Meena, L.R., Kochewad, S.K., Meena, L.K. and Singh, S.P.
(2017). Bio-Farming: A holistic approach for Social Upliftment and Better Health. South Asian J.
Food Technol. Environ., 3(1):521-525.
Introduction quality food products with high nutritive values
Now a day’s third world country focuses which maintain better health. Bio-farming is a
their attention on the attainment of basic food system of crop and livestock production with the
stock to feed their citizens at a reasonable cost help of crop rotation, crop residues, organic
(FAO, 2006). The food productions cost is waste, green manure and through biological pest
mounting high by adaption of conventional control (Elpiniki et al., 2016). Codex
farming pattern which includes application of Alimentarius Commission (1999) defines
inorganic fertilizers, pesticides, modern farming “Organic farming as holistic food production
techniques. Conventional farming pattern results management system, which promotes and
in degradation of eco system and contamination enhances agro-ecosystem health, including
of food products which leads to poor health biodiversity, biological cycles and soil
standards. Bio-farming will help the vulnerable biological activity. Bio- farming emphasizes the
farmers to have diversity in their source of use of management practices in preference to the
income at minimal cost. It helps in sustaining use of off-farm input staking into account that
soil health and prevents eco-system from the regional conditions require locally adapted
harmful effect of pesticides and fertilizers. It systems. This is accomplished by using, where
also helps in development of sustainable possible, agronomic, biological and mechanical
agriculture. Bio farming helps in generating methods, as opposed to using synthetic
employment in farm sector and improves quality materials, to fulfill any specific function within
of products which yield better market price and the system”. The other term used for bio farming
results into social and economic upliftment of is Organic Farming, Natural Farming, Green
farmers (Kortbech-Olesen, 2000). Bio- farming Farming, Eco-Friendly Agriculture, Eco
minimizes the use of chemicals leads better
South Asian J. Food Technol. Environ., 3(1): 521-525 (2017) [521]
Sanjeev Kumar, Kanchan Mala, L. R. Meena, S. K. Kochewad, L. K. Meena and S.P. Singh
Farming, Biological Agriculture, Biodynamic satisfaction from their work, including a
Farming etc. safe working environment.
Concept involved in bio-farming The impact of bio- farming on natural
The bio -farming concept is very old, resources favours connection within the agro-
but its limited knowledge as compare to ecosystem which is essential for both production
traditional farming, keep society away from this. and natural preservation. Biological services
The bio -farming efficiently using natural and include soil forming and conditioning, soil
easily available resources and techniques like stabilization, waste recycling, carbon
green manure, natural waste, crop residues, crop sequestration, nutrient cycling, predation,
rotation, biological pest control, compost and pollination and habitats. Bio-farming methods
weed management. This farming techniques has deliver agronomic and environmental profits
potential to maintain the soil fertility for longer through structural changes and tactical
period, it maintain nutrient cycle without using management of farming system.
any fertilizers or growth regulators. This Benefits of Bio-farming
economic farming process minimizing the crop • It is eco- friendly and maintaining
failure in adverse climatic condition and it helps ecological balance
in maintaining the sustainability of the • Bio farming helps in conserving natural
agriculture. This farming technique converts resources
traditional management to organic management. • It produce good quality products with
Crop production is controlled by cultural and less input cost
biological means. Bio-farming is modern form • It increases the soil fertility and its
of agriculture and combination of science, texture
technology and nature. It include following • It easily cops up with adverse effect of
methods which combine to form bio agriculture: climate change and reduce risk of crop
soil management, weed management, livestock, failure
genetic modification, crop diversity, • Conservation of natural resources
compositing, bio-fertilizers, vermin-compost and • It minimize the contamination of food
other green manure. products
The basic principles of bio –farming
• It induces self protection mechanism in
• Pollution free environment and resilient
the plant
to climate change
• It reduces the water requirement of the
• Free from chemical pesticides and
plant
fertilizers
Significance of Bio-farming
• To maintain fertility of soil through As per the report of IPCC
organic farming (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change)
• High nutritional value of food the climate smart bio-agents makes soil more
• Healthy environment for sustainable fertile which yield more crops and greater
agriculture resilience to droughts and heat (Steenwerth et
• To produce required quantity of food al., 2014). In addition, bio- farming system sorts
with good quality out soil erosion which is one of the major
• To allow each person who involved in problems in various agricultural zones.
bio-farming production and processing a The National Mission for Sustainable
quality life which meets their basic need Agriculture of the country can be achieved in
and allow an adequate return and short span of time through bio- farming , which
South Asian J. Food Technol. Environ., 3(1): 521-525 (2017) [522]
Bio-Farming: A holistic approach for Social Upliftment and Better Health
is utmost need of the hour and equally for better organic textiles. The organic agriculture export
nutrition management as well. Bio-farming realization was around 403 million US $
helps in cultivation of short rotation energy crop including 183 US $ organic textiles registering
and other social farming. It helps the society in 7.73% growth over the previous year. Organic
converting the waste land into cultivable land products are exported to US, European Union,
with the use of bio agents and natural manures Canada, Switzerland, Australia, New Zealand,
like; compost manure, bone meal, fish meal and South East Asian countries, Middle East, South
green leaf etc. Africa etc.
Bio- farming approach yields more income to Oil seeds - Soybean (70%) leads to highest
the society because among the organic products export followed by
• It increases the yield in long term in cereals and millets other than basmati (6%),
more stable manner processed food products (5%), basmati rice
• It is more resilient to the climate change (4%), sugar (3%), tea (2%), pulses and lentils
( Temperature, flood, drought and soil (1%), dry fruits (1%), spices (1%) and others.
erosion) Impact on social status and health standards
• Little wastage of the crops through pests The food security is the biggest concern
by adaption of sustainable pests control for developing countries and their policy related
methods of bio pest control to food production is also unsupportive, it
• Mixed farming at low cost increases the complexity of the situation (IFAD
• Better quality of food grains yield more report, 2013). Bio-farming is the right answer to
income food insecurity, because it increases the food
Hence, bio- farming generates constantly high accessibility for population by minimizing the
income at lower cost through easily available risk of the crop failure. The methods of farming
resource to the society. Consistent production of directly or indirectly affect the life of flora and
crops at lower cost gives farmers regular fauna in the ecosystem. In our agricultural
livelihood. Finally, it helps the society to move system the farmers are low paid, underfed,
towards better quality of life owing to healthy generally depends upon chemical practices they
and nutritious food coupled with higher income. dangerously degrade land and the food products
Current production and export status of which is often coated with injurious chemicals,
organic products in India containing little taste and low in vital nutrients
According to APEDA (2014), the (IAASTD Global Report, 2009). Agricultural
country produces around 1.24 million MT of workers exposed to multiple doses of chemical
different certified organic products viz. all pesticides on various occasions in conventional
varieties of food products namely Sugarcane, farming, which develops many harmful diseases.
Cotton, Oil seeds, Basmati rice, Pulses, Spices, Leg and hand are the first injured by
Tea, Fruits, Dry fruits, Vegetables, Coffee and concentrated chemicals and latter other body
their value added products. Besides, country also parts like eyes, skin, and lungs. In Bio-farming
produces organic cotton fiber, functional food practices avoid the use of concentrated chemical
products etc. by using bio fertilizers and eco friendly manures
Madhya Pradesh has covered largest which minimize the health problems of
area under organic certification followed by agricultural workers. When Bio-farming
Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan. During 2013- practiced in the standard manner, it decreases
14 India exported 135 products with the total the input cost for their farming, notably
volume of 194088 MT including 16322 MT improved farmer health and increase the fertility
South Asian J. Food Technol. Environ., 3(1): 521-525 (2017) [523]
Sanjeev Kumar, Kanchan Mala, L. R. Meena, S. K. Kochewad, L. K. Meena and S.P. Singh
of their land, tastier, safer and more nutritious food product having good market value. Bio
produces. In a study conducted at Nigeria by farming encourages and includes identification,
Mofunanya et al., (2015) reported that use, evaluation, and conservation of locally
application of Bio -farming gives significantly adapted varieties of plants and animals. Farmers
superior results in terms of nutrition when with increased access to resources and services
compared to inorganic farming (Table 1&2). have been able to break out the poverty and
A dynamic approach is the necessary of move towards prosperity.
the hour, which focuses on the means to produce Recent studies indicate that in addition
healthy food for resource crunch farmers who is to soil and water-borne sources, air-borne
leaving in a fragile infrastructure of village with toxicant also contaminate crops and vegetables
financial scarcity. Bio-farming approaches even in areas away from emission sources. By
develop the farmers’ position in strata of living developing appropriate measures, agricultural
cycle through low cost naturally available land may be refrained from irrigation–linked
resource (crop residue, animal waste, bio agents, contamination or from wastes release to
etc) and generate more income with high quality farmlands.
Table 1: Comparative study of the effect of organic and inorganic fertilizer on proximate composition of Amaranthus
spinosus L.
Moisture Ash Protein Fat Fibre Carbohydrate Vitamin A Vitamin C
Plant part and soil type ----------------------------------------------- (g/100 g dry matter)----------------------------------------------- -----------(μg/100 g)-----------
Leaf
Organic 86.40±0.2 3.10±0.2 7.90±0.01 0.48±0.2 3.20±0.2 89.27±0.02 46.19±0.02 7.80±0.02
Difference (%) 2.5 29.2 64.3 23.1 88.2 0.5 15.9 71.4
Inorganic 85.60±0.2 2.80±0.1 5.60±0.01 0.43±0.1 2.60±0.02 89.06±0.01 42.40±0.1 6.50±0.02
Difference (%) 1.5 16.7 33.3 10.3 52.9 0.2 5.9 42
Control 84.30±0.02 2.40±0.01 4.20±0.01 0.39±0.01 1.70±0.01 88.84±0.02 40.05±0.02 4.55±0.01
Stem
Organic 79.43±0.1 3.20±0.1 3.40±0.1 0.30±0.1 3.10±0.01 90.82±0.01 45.17±0.02 7.78±0.2
Difference (%) 1.3 28.0 54.5 50.0 10.7 0.5 12.1 54.0
Inorganic 78.50±0.02 2.81±0.1 2.80±0.1 0.24±0.01 2.90±0.2 90.82±0.01 45.17±0.02 7.78±0.2
Difference (%) 0.1 12.4 27.2 20.0 3.6 0.4 9.4 20.8
Control 78.40±0.01 2.50±0.01 2.20±0.2 0.20±0.2 2.80±0.01 90.39±0.01 40.30±0.2 5.05±0.1
Root
Organic 76.60±0.01 3.30±0.2 3.70±0.02 0.34±0.2 4.50±0.02 89.54±0.02 30.11±0.02 10.40±0.03
Difference (%) 4.4 50.0 27.6 36.0 12.5 1.1 5.6 60.0
Inorganic 75.10±0.2 2.74±0.1 3.20±0.01 0.29±0.1 4.20±0.01 89.54±0.02 29.87±0.02 8.43±0.2
Difference (%) 2.3 24.5 10.3 16.0 5.0 1.0 4.8 29.7
Control 73.40±0.02 2.20±0.01 2.90±0.1 0.25±0.01 4.0±0.1 88.50±0.01 28.50±0.2 6.50±0.2
Inflorescence
Organic 82.30±0.01 3.40±0.01 1.90±0.02 0.15±0.2 3.20±0.1 91.85±0.02 46.05±0.2 11.08±0.1
Difference (%) 2.8 13.3 26.7 50.0 6.7 1.1 37.5 55.0
Inorganic 80.25±0.01 3.30±0.1 1.60±0.02 0.13±0.2 3.10±0.2 91.54±0.01 41.90±0.2 8.45±0.01
Difference (%) 0.2 10.0 6.7 30.0 3.3 0.8 25.1 18.2
Control 80.05±0.1 3.0±0.01 1.50±0.02 0.10±0.2 3.0±0.2 90.81±0.02 33.50±0.2 7.15±0.02
Values are Mean±SD, n = 3 replicates, p<0.05. Percentage was obtained by expressing the difference between the values for control and
organic/inorganic fertilizer as a percentage of the control
Table 2: Comparative study of the effect of organic and inorganic fertilizer on mineral composition of Amaranthus
spinosus L.
Mineral composition (mg/100 g dry matter)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Plant part and soil type Na K Ca Mg Fe Zn Cu P
Leaf
Organic 6.50±0.03 7.60±0.1 2.90±0.4 4.45±0.3 0.12±0.02 0.03±0.2 0.03±0.02 2.10±0.03
Difference (%) 44.2 77.2 45.0 93.5 50.0 100.0 100.0 16.7
Inorganic 5.70±0.01 5.30±0.01 2.80±0.2 3.41±0.1 0.09±0.02 0.02±0.1 0.02±0.01 1.90±0.01
Difference (%) 26.4 23.5 40.0 48.3 12.5 100.0 100.0 5.6
Control 4.30±0.02 4.29±0.1 2.0±0.01 2.30±0.01 0.08±0.1 0.01±0.01 0.01±0.02 1.80±0.01
Stem
Organic 6.40±0.01 4.20±0.2 2.90±0.1 3.50±0.2 0.07±0.01 0.02±0.01 0.02±0.1 1.90±0.02
South Asian J. Food Technol. Environ., 3(1): 521-525 (2017) [524]
Bio-Farming: A holistic approach for Social Upliftment and Better Health
Difference (%) 25.5 3.7 29.5 52.8 40.0 100.0 100.0 75.9
Inorganic 5.30±0.01 4.10±0.2 2.50±0.01 2.85±0.01 0.06±0.01 0.02±0.1 0.02±0.01 1.20±0.3
Difference (%) 3.9 1.2 11.6 24.5 20.0 100.0 100.0 11.1
Control 5.10±0.1 4.05±0.1 2.24±0.01 2.29±0.1 0.05±0.1 0.01±0.2 0.01±0.01 1.08±0.01
Root
Organic 8.62±0.3 4.48±0.3 3.0±0.2 2.25±0.01 0.04±0.01 0.02±0.1 0.04±0.02 1.41±0.02
Difference (%) 51.2 12.0 20.0 12.5 100.0 100.0 100.0 4.4
Inorganic 7.80±0.2 4.45±0.3 2.60±0.1 2.10±0.01 0.03±0.2 0.01±0.01 0.03±0.02 1.36±0.07
Difference (%) 36.8 11.3 4.0 5.0 50.0 - 100.0 0.7
Control 5.70±0.1 4.0±0.1 2.50±0.1 2.0±0.01 0.02±0.1 0.01±0.01 0.02±0.01 1.35±0.01
Inflorescence
Organic 6.31±0.1 3.90±0.1 2.70±0.01 2.70±0.03 0.09±0.03 0.03±0.01 0.03±0.02 1.70±0.02
Difference (%) 38.4 18.0 17.4 11.1 88.0 100.0 50.0 6.3
Inorganic 5.70±0.2 3.45±0.1 2.61±0.02 2.60±0.03 0.07±0.2 0.02±0.01 0.03±0.02 1.70±0.01
Difference (%) 25.0 4.5 13.4 6.7 40.0 - 50.0 6.3
Control 4.56±0.1 3.30±0.2 2.30 2.43±0.01 0.05±0.01 0.02±0.01 0.02±0.01 1.60±0.01
Values are Mean±SD, n = 3 replicates, p<0.05. Percentage difference was obtained by expressing the difference between the value for control and
organic/inorganic fertilizer as a percentage of the control
Conclusions 5. IAASTD Global Report (2009).
The bio –farming provides several Agriculture at a crossroads.
avenues to the farmers through which they 6. IFAD Report (2013). Smallholders, food
generate more income and higher status in the security, and the environment.
society. It resulted in better performance per unit 7. Kortbech-Olesen, R. (2000). Export
opportunities of organic food from
area as compared to conventional farming.
developing countries. In World
However, managements involved in bio- Organics, Agra Europa (London) Ltd,
farming confer good prospects to improve soil London, UK, 9–10 May 2000.
fertility and minimize soil degradation with the 8. Mofunanya, A.A.J., Ebigwai, J.K.,
help of natural resource conservation and bio Bello, O.S. and Egbe, A.O. (2015).
agents. The Bio- farming has made a lot of Comparative study of the effects of
impact in India during last few years, but lack organic and inorganic fertilizer on
nutritional composition of Amaranthus
of sector specific policy of the government and
spinosus L. Asian Journal of Plant
research institutions which help in strengthening Sciences, 14 (1): 34-39.
its position in farm society and spreading know- 9. Steenwerth, K.L., Hodson, K.A., Bloom
how across the country, therefore an J.A., Carter, R.M., Cattaneo, A.,
improvement in policy making issues can further Chartres, J.C., Hatfield, L.J., Henry, K.,
strengthen the country’s economy too. Hopmans, W.J., Horwath, R.W.,
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