Ill effects of indiscriminate use of fertilisers and pesticides in the country and more particularly in western Uttar Pradesh were highlighted in a study titled Green Revolution, Equality and Environment Protection: A Study on Western Uttar Pradesh carried out by the organisation during 1999 and 2000. To implement the recommendations of the study a small intervention has been initiated since 2002 for demonstration purposes that crops can be raised without use of fertilisers and pesticides.

The experimental farm measuring nearly 1 hectare is situated next to the Training Centre. Seeds for raising cereals, vegetables, spices, timber plants, fruit plants and flowers were sourced from different people and organisations. Special care was taken to get traditional seeds raised without the use of fertilisers and pesticides. Seeds were sown in stages according to seasons appropriate for them. The cops were monitored carefully so as to prevent any disease inflicting them.

Seeds of chilly, pumpkin, brinjal and tomato have been distributed among 25 progressive farmers of the villages situated near the organisation’s headquarters. Many more farmers have taken evinced interest in organic farming, but they are hesitant to adopt for the fear of getting less yield from the crops.

A number of meetings are being organised with the farmers so as to motivate them to adopt sustainable agriculture techniques. In these meetings the farmers are apprised of the harmful effects of indiscriminate use of fertilisers and pesticides and the decreasing health of the soil. The farmers are unanimous on this issue and they accept that it is the time to beware of the harmful effects of the fertilisers and pesticides. The farmers are given technical information about preparing better compost and other bio-fertilisers and also means to control diseases and insects without applying harmful pesticides.

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