RT @civileater: Organic Farming Finds a Growing Fan Base in India @nytimes http://is.gd/wnHzmy
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Website of author, film-maker and academic, Raj Patel
Website of author, film-maker and academic, Raj Patel
RT @civileater: Organic Farming Finds a Growing Fan Base in India @nytimes http://is.gd/wnHzmy
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The article in NYT says that “A shift to organic farming requires extensive training and support for farmers who are largely uneducated.” While education is a very important part of people empowerment and development I do not agree that the shift to organic farming in India is impeded by the lack of education. What is really needed is to put enabling provisions in place such as support for revitalising the common property resource to improve livestock management, improved water management through support for microirrigation, improved infrastructure for milling and processing of millets etc. which will allow farmers to reach back to their traditional knowledge of agroecological practices and revive them. It is not the lack of education / knowledge but the “handout” policies of the government and the decades long dominance of the CPRs that is making it difficult to increase coverage under “organic farming”