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Priniciples of Sustainable Farming

Sustainable farming meets environmental, economic, and social objectives simultaneously. Envirnomentaly sound agriculture is nature-based rather than factory-based. Economic sustainability depends on profitable enterprises, sound financial planning, proactive marketing, and risk management.  Social sustainability results from making decisions with the farm family's and the larger community's quality of life as a value and a goal.

 Sustainable agriculture depends on a whole-system approach whose overall goal is the continuing health of the land and people.  Therefore it concentrates on long term solutions to problems instead of short term treatment of symptoms.

 Sustainability can be observed and measured; indicators that a farm community is achieving the three objectives of sustainability include :

 Economic Sustainability :
1.  The family savings or net worth is consistently going up.
2.  The family debt is consistently going down.
3.  The farm enterprises are consistently profitable from year to year.
4.  Purchase of off-farm feed and fertiliser is decreasing.
5.  Government subsidy payments is decreasing.

 Social Sustainability :
1.  The farm supports other business and families in the community.
2.  Money circulate within the local economy.
3.  The number of rural families is going up or holding steady.
4.  Young people take over their parents.
5.  College graduates return to the community after graduation.

 Environmental Sustainability :
1.  There is no bare ground.
2.  Clean water flows in the farm's streams.
3.  Wildlife is abundant.
4.  Fish are prolific in steams that flow through the farm.
5.  The farm landscape is diverse in vegetation.

 Biological Model of Agriculture : 
1.  Information Intensive
2.  Cyclical process
3.  Farm as Ecosystem
4.  Enterprise Integration
5.  Diversity of Plants & Animals
6.  Higher-Value Products
7.  Multiple use equipment
8.  Active Marketing

 Increase Biodiversity :
Do's :
1.  Intercropping
2.  Crop Rotation
3.  Cover Crops (Mulching)
4.  Multi Species Grazing

 Don'ts :
1.  Mono-cropping
2.  Tillage
3.  Herbicides
4.  Insecticides

 How Do We Achieve Sustainability? 
Know Your Markets, Protect Your Profits, and Add Value to Your Products
  • Diversify enterprises.
  • Market outside the commodity supply chains and corporate vertical integra- tors.
  • Emphasize direct marketing and pre- mium specialty markets.
  • Consider forming a cooperative with other farmers.
Add value through on-farm processing. 
Holistic ManagementEvaluating a Rural EnterpriseMoving Beyond Conventional Cash CroppingEntertainment Farming and Agri-TourismDirect MarketingFarmers’ MarketsCommunity Supported AgricultureBringing Local Food to Local Institutions Selling to RestaurantsOrganic Certification and the National Organic ProgramOrganic Marketing Resources Keys to Success in Value-added Agriculture.
Build Soil Structure and Fertility
  • Reduce the use of synthetic fertilizers by increasing on-farm nutrient cycling.
  • Make fertilization decisions based on soil tests.
  • Minimize or eliminate tillage.
  • Think of the soil not only as a physical and chemical substrate but as a living entity; manage the soil organisms to preserve their healthy diversity.
  • Maintain ground cover year-round by using cover crops and mulches and by leaving crop residues in the field. 
Sustainable Soil Management
Drought Resistant Soil
Nutrient Cycling in Pastures
Manures for Organic Crop Production
Overview of Cover Crops and Green Manures
Overview of Organic Crop Production 
Farm-scale Composting Resource List 
Conservation Tillage
Pursuing Conservation Tillage 
Systems for Organic Crop Production
Assessing the Pasture Soil Resource 
Alternative Soil Testing Laboratories 
Alternative Soil Amendments
Sources of Organic Fertilizers and Amendments
Protect Water Quality on and Beyond the Farm
  • Use soil-building practices that increase soil organic matter and support a biologically active humus complex.
  • Use soil conservation practices that reduce the potential for water runoff and erosion.
  • Plant perennial crops such as forages, trees, and shrubs.
  • Plant catch crops or cover crops to take up nutrients that may otherwise leach into the subsoil.
  • Provide buffer areas between fields and water bodies to protect against nutrient and sediment movement into lakes and streams.
  • Manage irrigation to enhance nutrient uptake and decrease nutrient leaching.
  • Produce livestock in pasture-based systems.
  • Nutrient Cycling in Pastures

  • Protecting Water Quality on Organic Farms
  • Protecting Riparian Areas
  • Managed Grazing in Riparian Areas 
  • Conservation Easements
  • Montana Irrigator’s Pocket Guide 
  • Constructed Wetlands
  • Conservation Tillage
  • Sustainable Soil Management
  • Drought Resistant Soil
  • Sustainable Pasture Management 
  • Agroforestry Overview


    •  Manage Pests Ecologically; Use Minimal Pesticides

    • Prevent pest problems by building healthy, biologically active soil; by creating habitat for beneficial organisms; and by choosing appropriate plant cultivars.
    • View the farm as a component of an eco-system, and take actions to restore and enhance pest–predator balances. Understand that the mere presence of a pest does not necessarily constitute a problem; base any intervention on monitoring (crop scouting) and economic damage thresholds.
    • Before intervening with a chemical, positively identify the pest species and learn about its life cycle and ecology. Implement cultural practices that alter the cropping system and surrounding habitat to make life more difficult for the pest and easier for its natural enemies.
    • Use pesticides as the last resort, when biological and cultural controls have failed to keep pest populations below economically damaging levels. If you have to use chemicals, seek out the least-toxic pesticide that will control the pest.
    Biointensive Integrated Pest Management
    Farm scaping to Enhance Biological Control
    Sustainable Management of Soil-borne Plant Diseases
    Integrated Pest Management for Greenhouse Crops
    Principles of Sustainable Weed Management
    Integrated Parasite Management for Livestock
    A Whole Farm Approach to Managing Pests
    Maximize Biodiversity on the Farm

    • Integrate crop and livestock production.
    • Use hedge rows, insectary plants, cover crops, and water reservoirs to attract and support populations of beneficial insects, bats, and birds.
    • Abandon monocropping in favor of crop rotations, intercropping, and companion planting.
    • Plant a percentage of your land in trees and other perennial crops in permanent plantings or long-term rotations.
    • Manage pastures to support a diverse selection of forage plants.
    • Plant off-season cover crops.

    Enhance Biological Control
    Intercropping
    Companion Planting
    Converting to Perennial Crops
    Sustainable Pasture Management 
    Multi species Grazing
    Agro Forestry

     Organic Farming

     “an ecological production management system that promotes and enhances biodiversity, biological cycles and soil biological activity. It is based on minimal use of off-farm inputs and on management practices that restore, maintain and enhance ecological harmony.” 

     Organic Crop Production (Priniciples & Practices)

    Priniciples

    Biodiversity
    Integration of Enterprises
    Sustainability
    Natural Plant 
    Nutrition
    Natural Pest Management

     Practices

     Crop Rotation
    Green Manure
    Cover Crops
    Intercropping
    Biocontrol
    Farmscaping
    Animal Manure
    Composting
    Natural Fertiliser
    Foliar Fertiliser
    Natural Pesticides 
    Least Tillage 
    Mulching
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    Useful Resources

    Infrastructure 
    Soil Management 

    Water Management 
    Borewell Recharge (Twin Ring Method)
    Crop Management

    Fertiliser Management
    Waste Decomposer (Training Manual)

    Disease Management

    Department
    Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
    Agriculture Cooperation & Farmers Welfare

    Tutorial
    TNAU
    Thesis, Articles, Journals, Ebooks & Technical Reports
    Agriculture Information Portal
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    YouTube Video Channels

    Institution
    TNAU Agritech Portal

     Training
    Vanagam 
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    Television Programmes

    TAMIL

    DD (Podigai) - Pon Vilaiyum Bhoomi (Monday - Friday, 5.30 PM)

    DD (Podigai) - Velaan Neram (Monday - Friday, 11AM)
    Makkal - Malarum Bhoomi (Monday - Saturday, 6.30 PM)

    Makkal - Santhai (Monday - Friday, 2.00 PM)
    Jaya Plus - Mannargal (Sunday, 9.00 AM)
    Pepper - Organic Vivasayai (Sunday, 9.00 AM)
    Puthiya Thalaimurai - Ulavuku Uyirootu (Sunday, 11.30 AM)
    News 18 - Pairi Tholil Palagu (Sunday, 11.30 AM)
    Sathiyam - Ulavan (Sunday, 11.30 AM)
    Super - Enn Vettu Thotam (Sunday, 11.30 AM)

    HINDI
    DD (Kisan) - National Channel (24/7)
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    Seed Treatment Technique

    These are all traditional and organic methods to treat the seeds without using any harmful chemicals.


    Seed Treatment Technique 1 : Bijamrutha 
    Take 20 liter Water, 5 Kg Local Cow Dung, 5 liter Local Cow Urine, 50 Gram Lime & Handful soil from the bund of the farm.
    Take 5 Kg Local Cow Dung in a cloth and bound it by tape. Hang this in the 20 Liter water up to 12 hours.
    Take one liter water and add 50 gm lime in it, let it stable for a night.
    Then next morning, squeeze this bundle of the cow dung in that water thrice continuously, so that all essence of cow dung will accumulate in that water.
    Then add a handful of soil in that water solution and stir it well.
    Then add 5 liter Deshi cow urine or human urine in that solution & add the lime water and stir it well.

    How to use Bijamrita 
    Add Bijamrita on the spread seeds of any crops, treat these seeds well by hands, dry it well and use for sowing.

    Seed Treatment Technique 2 : Butter Milk 
    Soak the seeds in a mixture of fermented buttermilk (3 days old) and water in 1:4 ratio for 6 hours and shade dry before sowing. The practice is applicable only for 6 to 12 months old seeds. Buttermilk can be replaced by Coconut or Palmyra toddy.

    Seed Treatment Technique 3 : Asafoetida 
    Treat the seed with one liter of Desi Cow Urine, 1/2 kg of ash and 100 grams of Asafoetida

    Seed Treatment Technique 4 : Termite Soil 
    Take 2 liters of Desi Cow Urine, 1kg of cow dung and 1kg of termite soil.

    Seed Treatment Technique 5 : Desi Cow Milk (1 : 9) 
    Take one liter of cow milk and mix with 9 liter of water

    Seed Treatment Technique 6 : Hot Water 
    Boil the water to 50 degrees and soak the seeds for 30 minutes. to overcome seed Seedborne diseases

    Seed Treatment Technique 7 : Salt Water 
    Salt Water Treatment (Place an egg in water until it sinks to the bottom and rests horizontally. The horizontal egg indicates that the egg is not rot and that it could be further used for purpose of testing the density of salt concentration in water).
    Then remove the egg add salt to water and stir continuously until it dissolves. Immerse the egg once again into this concentration. This process of immersing the egg to test the density of salinity concentration continues. At a certain stage of salt application into water, only a quarter of the egg is found to be visible on the surface. This is the standard saline concentration used for seed treatment. Seeds are soaked in this preparation for a period of 30 minutes and then removed, washed twice and thoroughly dried until the moisture is absorbed.
    Salt-water treatment is a useful technique in separating healthy seeds from chaffy ones.

    This treatment is found to be very effective in treating paddy seeds.
    1. It separates the healthy seeds from chaffy seeds
    2. Protects from storage fungus
    3. Activates embryo
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    Crops Classification

    TYPES OF CROP 


    Cereals (Tāṉiyaṅkaḷ)
    Barley (Jau), Paddy (Dhan), Triticale, Wheat (Gehon)

     Millets (Tiṉai)
    Banyard Millet (Kudiraivalli/ Sawan), Buck Wheat (Kaspat), Common Millet 
    (Panivaragu/  Chena/ Proso Millet/ Hog M), Finger Millet (Ragi/Mandika), 
    Italian Millet (Thenai/ Navane/ Foxtail Millet/ Kang), Kodo Millet (Kodara/ Varagu), 
    Maize (Makka), Little Millet (Samai/Kutki), Pearl Millet (Bajra/ Bulrush Millet/ 
    Spiked Millet), Sorghum (Jowar/ Great Millet)

     Pulses (Paruppu)
    Black Gram (Urd Bean), Bengal Gram (Gram/Chick Pea / Kabuli/ Chana), 
    Cowpea (Lobia, Asparagus Bean/ Yard Long Bean), Faba Bean (Horse Bean / 
    Windsor Bean), Green Gram (Moong Bean), Horse Gram (Kullu), Indian Bean 
    (Field Bean/Wal), Khesari (Chickling Vetch/ Grass Pea), Lentil (Masur), 
    Moth Bean (Kidney Bean) / Naripayaru (Dew Gram), Peas (Field Peas/ 
    Garden Peas/ Matar), Pigeon Pea (Red Gram/ Arhar), Rajma (French Bean), 
    Winged Bean, Lethyrus, Mochai (Lab)

     Oil Seeds (Eṇṇey Vitaikaḷ)
    Castor (Rehri), Groundnut (Peanut/ Mung Phalli), Indian Rapeseed & Mustard 
    (Yellow Sarson), Linseed (Alsi), Niger (Ramtil), Raya (Indian Mustard), 
    Rocket Salad (Taramira), Safflower (Kusum/ Kardi), Sesame (Gingelly/ Til), 
    Soybean (Bhat), Sunflower (Suryamukh), Toria, Jatropha, Brown Sarson, 
    Coconut, Gobhi Sarson, Taramira

     Forage/ Fodder Crops (Tīvaṉam) 
    Bajra Napier, Berseem (Egyptian Clover), Dinanath Grass, Gobhi Sarson, Guar 
    (Cluster Bean, Field Vetch), Guinea Grass, Lucerne (Alfalfa), Oat, Persian Clover, 
    Rice Bean (Red Bean), Seteria Grass (Pigeon Grass/ Nandi Grass), Tall Fescue Grass, 
    Teosinte, African Sarson, Birdwood Grass, Buffel Grass (Anjan Grass), 
    Dharaf Grass (Goris/ Curia), Golden Thimothy, Indian Clover (Senji/ Sweet Clover), 
    Marvel Grass, Napier Grass (Elephant Grass), Sudan Grass, White Clover (Shaftal), 
    Anjan Grass, Sen Grass, Sorghum, Maize

    Spices & Contiments
    Coriander (கொத்தமல்லி), Cumin (சீரகம்), Fennel (பெருஞ்சீரகம்), 
    Black Pepper(கருமிளகு), Fenugreek ( வெந்தயம்)

     Sugar Crops
    Sugarcane (Noble Cane), Tapioca (Cassava), Sugar Beet

     Bulb Vegetables
    Garlic (Thakkai Poondu), Onion

     Cash Crops
    Cashew, Cardamom

     Cucurbits
    Bitter Gourd, Bottle Gourd, Cucumber, Pumpkin, Musk Melon, Long Melon, Ridge Gourd, 
    Pointed Gourd (Parwal), Snake Gourd, Sponge Gourd, Ash Gourd (Petha), Bush Squash, 
    Indian Squash (Tinda/ Round Melon), Ribbed Gourd (Kali Tori), Summer Squash 
    (Vegetable Marrow),  Water Melon & Snap Melon

     Flower Crops
    Marigold

     Fruit Crops (Paḻam)
    Banana

     Fruit Vegetables
    Capsicum, Brinjal, Chillies, Bhendi, Tomato

     Green Leafy Vegetables
    Amaranthus (kuppai-k-kirai), Spinach, …

     Root Vegetables
    Sweet Potato, Carrot, Radish, Turnip (Saljam), Beet Root (Garden Beet/ Stock Beet)

     Tubers & Rhizomes
    Potato, Colocasia, Greater Yam, Lesser Yam (Rafula), White Yam, 
    Amarphophallus (Surankand/ Elephant Foot Yam), Turmeric

     Legumes Vegetables
    Cow Pea (Vegetable), Cluster Bean, Indian Bean (Vegetable), Rajmash Bean, 
    Pea (Vegetable), Dolichos Bean

     Herbs (Mūlikai)
    Tulsi

     Fibre Crops
    Cotton (Kapas), Jute, Roselle (Mesta), Sunnhemp (Patua), Dhaincha

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    List of Organic Fertilizers

    Organic Fertilizers
    Here’s a quick list of common organic fertilizers and what they offer. Nitrogen (N), 
    Phosphate (P), and Potash/ Potassium (K) percentages are by weight and 
    “availability” is measured as immediate (fast release, available within hours), 
    moderate (moderate release, available within a few days), and slow (slow release, 
    available in weeks). We’ll include other notes about effects the fertilizer may have 
    on soil pH (acidity) and extra “bonus” nutrients the fertilizer is known for. 
    Your local gardening store may not have some of these organic fertilisers, 
    so try an online retailer that specializes in organic gardening.
    Alfalfa Meal :
    2.5% N, 1% P, 1.5% K
    Slow to moderate
    Best known as a “hay” for animals, meal is just ground up alfalfa that makes it 
    compost faster in the soil. Best tilled in as an early spring additive, 
    well before planting.
    Bat Guano :
    8% N, 6% P, 1% K
    Moderate to immediate
    The most common source of guano, bat guano is relatively fast in uptake and 
    so is often used between crop rotations (mid-summer harvest / replant) or in 
    late spring just before planting. Bird guano has higher nutrition numbers, 
    but sea bird guano is only available in a few parts of the world.
    Fish Emulsion :
    9% N, 0% P, 0% K
    Immediate
    This is a great additive when nitrogen levels are low and leafy plants need a 
    good boost. It is slightly acidic, so some plants may not tolerate it as well 
    as others.
    Cotton Seed Meal :
    6% N, 3% P, 1% K
    Slow
    A common fertilizer in areas where cotton is grown, this is a favored year-end, 
    pre-winter mix. Adding it to the soil before cover crops or mulch are put on 
    gives a rich nitrogenated soil in the spring.
    Corn Gluten Meal :
    0.5% N, 0.5% P, 1% K
    Slow
    Another common late-season, winter preparation additive, corn gluten is a 
    good soil stabilizer for winter.
    Sea Weed :
    1% N, 2% P, 5% K
    Fast
    Also a great source for zinc and iron, seaweed is one of the most beneficial 
    organic fertilizers that is freely available on the coasts. Cereal grains and 
    other high-potash crops can especially benefit from seaweed.
    Cow Manure :
    2.5% N, 1% P, 1.5% K
    Moderate
    Probably the most common organic fertilizer in use in the western world, 
    cow manure is comparable to good compost in nutrient value and uptake. 
    It may contain weed seeds, but is otherwise a gardener’s best friend. 
    Avoid manure from dairies and other industries where the cattle receive 
    a lot of salt.
    Chicken Manure (Poultry) :
    3.5% N, 1.5% P, 1.5% K
    Fast
    Similar to cow manure, poultry manure is often used in agriculture when organic 
    growing needs a quick boost. Most often, poultry manure is added after harvest 
    and before a second planting.
    Green Sand :
    1% N, 1% P, 5% K
    Moderate
    Literally ground up green limestone, it’s a shallow marine sediment and thus full 
    of the richness that the lakes and oceans can offer. The amount of nutrient depends 
    heavily on the source of the sand.
    Compost :
    2% N, 1.5% P, 1.5% K
    Moderate
    Compost’s actual contents are highly variable and dependent on what was used to 
    make them. Most good compost is a roughly even mix of the big three and can be 
    somewhat alkaline to the soil. Often added before planting, in-between 
    plantings, or at the end of the season. Rough compost can also be used as a 
    beneficial mulch. Also, try worm composting and making compost tea.
    Soy Bean Meal :
    3% N, 0.5% P, 2.5% K
    Moderate
    Uptake will depend heavily on conditions, but in general, soybean meal is a good 
    additive for longer-lasting results during soil maintenance.
    Blood Meal :
    12% N, 1.5% P, 0.5% K
    Fast
    While acidic, blood meal is a very fast “booster” for nitrogen-hungry plants or 
    plants suffering from deprivation. Is most often poured directly over their roots 
    and then covered in mulch.
    Bone Meal :
    4% N, 20% P, 0% K
    Moderate
    This is most often used in soils requiring serious amendment to bring them up to par. 
    Soils that routinely show high amounts of nitrogen or that produce nitrogen-burnt 
    plants benefit from bone meal.
    Feather Meal :
    12% N, 0% P, 0% K
    Moderate
    Another nitrogen booster, this is most often used pre-season, before planting, 
    to “pump up the soil” before plants go into it.
    Fish Meal :
    10% N, 5% P, 4% K
    Fast
    A fast uptake for a balanced boost of all nutrients is had with fish meal. 
    There’s a reason Native Americans planted a fish at the base of their corn 
    plants in popular legend.

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