Eco sensitive Alternatives
Books by Kalpavriksh
Organic Cotton - Reinventing the Wheel
Meena Menon
Much of the land once devoted to growing traditional food crops is now used to grow cotton, which is mono-cropped over extensive tracts. Traditionally, cotton is a dryland crop and has been grown in drylands of Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. Erratic rains, poor quality seeds, increasing pest attacks, degraded soils and indiscriminate use of pesticides has led to massive failures of cotton crops of recently-introduced hybrid varieties.
This report compiles experiences of a group of organic cotton farmers as well as a few commercial organic cotton ventures in the country. Farmers are experimenting on their own and are conscious of the need to move away from chemical farming. They use traditional methods, and believe in self-sufficiency and their own innovations. Organic cotton may give lower yields but also involves lower expenses, so net profits are high. Risks are low, agriculture is tension-free and after the initial drop in yields, there is no loss and more importantly, less chances of getting into debt. For small and marginal farmers growing organic cotton can be a huge saving and lead to a more sustainable way of life. This report compiles efforts by individuals and collectives of farmers who have set a trend worthy of emulation. It is based on extensive fieldwork in several states across India.
Deccan Development Society and Kalpavriksh
Pp 133. Rs.100/-, USD10/-
Green Choices
Coming soon
Meena Menon
Much of the land once devoted to growing traditional food crops is now used to grow cotton, which is mono-cropped over extensive tracts. Traditionally, cotton is a dryland crop and has been grown in drylands of Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. Erratic rains, poor quality seeds, increasing pest attacks, degraded soils and indiscriminate use of pesticides has led to massive failures of cotton crops of recently-introduced hybrid varieties.
This report compiles experiences of a group of organic cotton farmers as well as a few commercial organic cotton ventures in the country. Farmers are experimenting on their own and are conscious of the need to move away from chemical farming. They use traditional methods, and believe in self-sufficiency and their own innovations. Organic cotton may give lower yields but also involves lower expenses, so net profits are high. Risks are low, agriculture is tension-free and after the initial drop in yields, there is no loss and more importantly, less chances of getting into debt. For small and marginal farmers growing organic cotton can be a huge saving and lead to a more sustainable way of life. This report compiles efforts by individuals and collectives of farmers who have set a trend worthy of emulation. It is based on extensive fieldwork in several states across India.
Deccan Development Society and Kalpavriksh
Pp 133. Rs.100/-, USD10/-
Green Choices
Coming soon
