Short communication Asian Agri-History Vol. 17, No. 4, 2013 (381–388) 381

Practicing Sustainable Agriculture: Lessons to Learn From Ancient Texts1

YL Nene

Asian Agri-History Foundation, Secunderabad 500009, India (email: [email protected])

For millennia, farmers in India have been husbandry, and trade). Similar sentiments developing, modifying, and adopting have been expressed in the practices that have ensured the continued (c. 3000 BCE), and the Krishi-Parashara sustainability of agriculture. The (c. 400 BCE). In Tirukural (c. 70 BCE), (c. 8000 BCE) has a verse “May and the Kashyapiyakrishisukti (c. 800 CE), (ploughed land) give us plenty of grain and the farmer has been variously described as wealth. Let support sita and give her ‘annadata’ (provider of food), ‘king of the the good fortune through plenty of rain year kings’, etc. after year.” The verse refers to regular rains “year after year” to ensure sustained food What is the scenario today? Indian farming security. In the following paragraphs, I wish is most mismanaged. Through millennia, to share some of the lessons that I believe we farmers gradually were made a subject must relearn from our ancient and medieval of looting. Alauddin Khilji (1296–1316) literature – lessons that would enable us to followed the policy of keeping farmers vastly enrich our current knowledge in the poor in order to “consolidate his empire”. practice of sustainable agriculture. The Sultans, Mughals, and their Hindu vassals followed the same policy and shattered the morale of farmers. Then the Genuine respect to farmers British destroyed the basic fabric of Indian Several ancient texts reveal that farmers agriculture, thus reducing a very large were held in high esteem millennia ago. number of farmers to the status of landless In the (c. 5000 BCE), Sri farmers or paupers. The Indian farmer, advises Bharata (in Chitrakuta): who was held in high esteem in the ancient “Dear Bharata, have you ensured that all times, was exploited in every possible those engaged in agriculture and animal way. This scene has not changed much in husbandry receive your special care and the post-Independence India. Although a attention? The world attains happiness and large number of projects to assist farmers prosperity only on the foundation of Varta” have been launched from time to time, (the term Varta includes crop and animal implementation at the farmers’ level has

1. A slightly different version of this write-up was published in NAAS News 12(3):4–6 (2012). 382 Practicing sustainable agriculture always been defi cient. Billions of rupees In both these defi nitions, a key ingredient have been spent without much benefi t to the that the ancient Indian civilization had needy farmers. Today, it is not uncommon stressed is missing. Where is the farmer in to read about agitations by farmers in some these defi nitions? part of the country or the other, and a few farmers get killed in police fi rings. What Soil to be nurtured perennially a way to treat our “annadatas”! Indians urgently need to relearn the advice of our A few verses of Parashara (Paras.) and ancients; that is, farmers should be given (Kash.) need to be quoted in this high respect. A drastic change must occur context: in the attitude of our politicians, ministers, civil servants, agricultural scientists, fi eld • “Land (soil) is intended to receive workers, and representatives of companies excellence in every age.” (Kash.) that sell agricultural inputs. As a first • “A good-quality land yields good results step, each of the decision/policy makers to everyone, confers good health on or agencies mentioned above could start the entire family, and causes growth of responding promptly to the innumerable money, cattle, and grain.” (Kash.) appeals, requests, and queries received from farmers. Let us remind ourselves • “Crops grown without manure will not daily the sage Parashara’s exhortation, give yield.” (Paras.) “May the farmers be happy, healthy, and The messages are obvious in these verses. In wealthy.” the euphoria that followed the much-needed Two definitions, used internationally, “Green Revolution” of the post-1960s, we which are currently “in fashion”, need to apparently forgot the basic principles of soil be examined: management. We started “exploiting” soil for getting higher and higher yields, and 1. “Sustainable agriculture” should stopped giving “rest” to the soil, contrary involve successful management of to Parshurama’s advice quoted in the Krishi resources for agriculture to satisfy Gita (1500 CE) of “deep summer plowing”. changing human needs while We depended almost solely on chemical maintaining or enhancing the quality of the environment and conserving natural resources. What is the scenario today? Indian 2. “Conservation agriculture” is a concept farming is most mismanaged. Through for resource-saving agricultural crop millennia, farmers gradually were production that strives to achieve made a subject of looting. Alauddin acceptable profi ts together with high Khilji (1296–1316) followed the policy and sustained production levels of keeping farmers poor in order to while concurrently conserving the “consolidate his empire”. environment. Asian Agri-History Vol. 17, No. 4, 2013 383

• “One who sells seed of an inferior quality The Indian farmer, who was held in for sowing in the farmers’ fi elds (telling high esteem in the ancient times, was that it is of good quality) deserves to be exploited in every possible way. This punished through physical torture; i.e., scene has not changed much in the chopping of hand, foot, ear, nose, etc.” post-Independence India. Although (Manu) a large number of projects to assist • farmers have been launched from time “Kings should arrange the preservation to time, implementation at the farmers’ and distribution of seeds in time. The level has always been defi cient. collection of seeds is the fi rst valuable reward of agriculture.” (Kash.)

Parashara had stressed the importance not fertilizers, ignoring the truth that soils only of the seed itself, but also of the varieties operate effi ciently with optimum amounts of seed developed on the basis of phenotypic of organic matter. Soils of the Pantnagar selections. Such phenotypic selections (Uttarakhand) region, after clearance of would have retained genetic heterogeneity, forests, had around 2.5% organic matter which, as we know today, is desirable to content; today, that fi gure has dropped to prevent pestilences. Kashyapa stressed around 0.6%. Wherever irrigation became the importance of proper seed storage and available, excessive quantities of water availability of seed to farmers in time for were given to crops. With these and a few sowing. Facilities for storage of grain are other mistakes, we have landed ourselves criminally inadequate today, and each year, into trouble as the soils have stopped giving large quantities of seed are destroyed by higher yields. We must daily repeat the the monsoon rains. Availability of seed in “mantra” of Kashyapa that soil must receive time is also a problem for many farmers careful attention on a perennial basis, and today. Manu’s recommendation is highly follow that advice. signifi cant in the present-day context. Many farmers have been victims of spurious seed, Seed quality and seed and grain and some farmers have committed suicide storage as a consequence of failure of major crops. Severe punishments of the kind that Manu I quote below a few verses from the texts had prescribed are a must to stop the sale of of Parashara (Paras.), Manu (c. 200 BCE), and Kashyapa (Kash.):

It is not uncommon to read about • “The origin of plentiful yield is seed. agitations by farmers in some part of Uniform seeds produce excellent the country or the other, and a few results.” (Paras.) farmers get killed in police fi rings. • “Phenotypic seed selection leads to What a way to treat our “annadatas”! developing varieties.” (Paras.) 384 Practicing sustainable agriculture spurious seed. However, it is futile to expect • “These should be boiled after mixing implementation of severe punishments as with water and the mixture should long as we have weak-kneed governments be stored in an oiled pot after adding in power. Manu’s thoughts, however, reveal suffi cient quantity of husk.” that great importance was attached to seed • “After roasting it in an iron pot, sesame quality in the ancient times. oil cake and honey should be added. Soaked black gram of good quality Importance of manure, should also be added. A little ghee especially a liquid ferment from should then be poured.” animal wastes • “The items stated above should be taken A verse from the text of Parashara (Paras.) at random as there is no measure for is reproduced below: anything. One by one these should be placed in the pot in a warm place by a “Crops grown without manure will not give competent person.” yield.” (Paras.) • “This kunapa is highly nourishing for Six verses of Surapala are put together and the trees. This is stated by the ancient reproduced below: sages and I (Surapala) repeat it here after verifying the same.” • “The excreta, marrow of the bones, and fl esh, brain, and blood of a boar mixed Parashara emphasized the use of manure with water and stored underground is for nourishing plants. Mainly cattle dung called kunapa.” and excreta of sheep and goats were used • “As per the availability the fat, marrow, fresh or heap-dried. Farmyard manure and and the fl esh of fi sh, the ram, the goat, compost were not thought of. The idea of and other horned animals should be using a liquid ferment from predominantly collected and stored.” animal wastes was a brilliant one, because its use gave excellent and quick results. I see a great future for kunapa not only In the euphoria that followed the much- in arbori-horticulture and fl oriculture but needed “Green Revolution” of the in fi eld agronomy as well. Tea estates in post-1960s, we apparently forgot the Darjeeling area and many farmers in Tamil basic principles of soil management. Nadu are already using kunapa. We started “exploiting” soil for getting higher and higher yields, and stopped giving “rest” to the soil, contrary to We must daily repeat the “mantra” of Parshurama’s advice quoted in the Kashyapa that soil must receive careful Krishi Gita (1500 CE) of “deep summer attention on a perennial basis, and plowing”. follow that advice. Asian Agri-History Vol. 17, No. 4, 2013 385

Newer agricultural technologies was that farmers were provided adulterated for adoption fertilizers. Kashyapa had used the words “take into account a change in the manner and The following verse from Kashyapa is mode of agricultural techniques”. Thus correct a very signifi cant one, especially in the application of fertilizers is implied. There is context of the current agricultural scenario nothing wrong in using chemical fertilizers of our country: “correctly and prudently”. The ongoing “As time changes the King should take into debate today about exclusive organic farming versus predominantly fertilizer farming is account a change in the manner and mode a waste of time. Also, genetically modifi ed of agricultural techniques.” (GM) seeds are a result of new knowledge The import of this verse is very deep. Most and techniques. Kashyapa was in favor of of the world and India have depended on everything new that was useful to farmers. I natural organic manures for millennia. am sorry to point out that some NGOs (non- Mined inorganic fertilizers were also used government organizations) have made it their here and there for many centuries, whereas business to oppose anything new and thus chemically synthesized inorganic fertilizers mislead the general public and policy makers. were widely developed only during the This is very unfortunate. All concerned with Industrial Revolution in Europe (18th and 19th farming policies of the country should listen centuries). In 1950–51, the average fertilizer to Kashyapa’s sound advice and ignore the use in India was only 0.58 kg per hectare, and tumult created by these NGOs. The need the net sown area was 118.75 million hectares. of the hour is to initiate fi rm action to raise In 2008–09, a rough estimate was 143 million the productivity of our soil in a scientifi cally hectares of net sown area, and 24.9 million correct way. tons of total fertilizer consumption. Fertilizers have wrongly been labeled as the culprit in Building water reservoirs for creating problems for soil health. What was irrigation wrong was that farmers were not properly I am quoting below four verses from trained to use fertilizers; they followed wrong Kashyapa’s text, which are very signifi cant methods and time of application, as also for present-day farming: excessive application. On the top of all this • “To the west, north, east, or south of the villages and cities at the most convenient places, he (the King) should Severe punishments of the kind that prepare reservoirs of water according to Manu had prescribed are a must to stop the condition of the land.” the sale of spurious seed. However, it is futile to expect implementation of • “The King should plan its construction severe punishments as long as we have at such places as not to cause fear of weak-kneed governments in power. danger from fl ooding. Such reservoirs should be regularly examined.” 386 Practicing sustainable agriculture

I do not have to elaborate on the lethargy of The idea of using a liquid ferment the present-day administration throughout from predominantly animal wastes was the country. Urbanization is taking the toll a brilliant one, because its use gave of many old reservoirs. I wish there would excellent and quick results. I see a great be a permanent moratorium on “drying” any future for kunapa not only in arbori- reservoir in cities and villages. horticulture and fl oriculture but in fi eld agronomy as well. Plant protection using farmer- friendly herbal preparations • “Even more than the ponds, lakes, wells, There are a large number of prescriptions in etc., the protection of canals should be different ancient texts on Vrikshayurveda. treated by them as their ‘’, said I am quoting below only two verses from the sages who know the truth.” Vishvavallabha of Chakrapani Mishra (c. • “In a country where canal water is 1577 CE): not adequate in summer season for • grain fi elds or for gardens, the king “Decoctions prepared from barks should order construction of wells of plaksa (Ficus lucescens), arjuna everywhere.” (Terminalia arjuna), udumbari (Ficus glomerata), saptaparna The lessons that we learn from these (Alstonia scholaris), and nimba verses are: (i) small reservoirs should be (Azadirachta indica) as also of vasa constructed wherever possible around (Adhatoda vasica), ghana (Cyperus villages; (ii) steps should be taken to avoid rotundus), and rohita (Tecomella breaching of reservoirs so that people do not undulata) are prescribed for trees suffer from fl oods; (iii) regular inspection of suffering from phlegm (kafa, which these reservoirs and timely repairs should could lead to fungal and bacterial be undertaken; and (iv) canals should be rots, nutrient deficiencies, and protected as an ordained duty. toxicities, etc.).” • Fumigated with a mixture of nimba (Azadirachta indica), siddhartha The ongoing debate today about (Brassica alba), in combination with tila exclusive organic farming versus predominantly fertilizer farming is a waste of time. Also, genetically Some NGOs (non-government modifi ed (GM) seeds are a result of new organizations) have made it their knowledge and techniques. Kashyapa business to oppose anything new and was in favor of everything new that was thus mislead the general public and useful to farmers. policy makers. This is very unfortunate. Asian Agri-History Vol. 17, No. 4, 2013 387

poisonous, and most of our farm laborers The lessons that we learn from these are inadequately trained and equipped verses are: (i) small reservoirs should to handle these chemicals. It is better to be constructed wherever possible confi ne ourselves to less toxic materials, around villages; (ii) steps should be and laborers must not be asked to handle taken to avoid breaching of reservoirs insecticides without protective gear. If we so that people do not suffer from use effective herbal remedies (wherever fl oods; (iii) regular inspection of these possible), farmers and workers would be reservoirs and timely repairs should be safe. undertaken; and (iv) canals should be protected as an ordained duty. Animal management and health Texts by Parashara, Kautilya, and (Sesamum indicum), milk, and water, Chavundaraya (Lokopakara – 1025 CE) and sprinkled with a mixture of milk provide substantial information on the and water, a tree infested with insects principles of domestic animal management [is freed from the pest and] once again including veterinary science. What we need becomes green with [a new growth of] to do is to validate the diets prescribed for branches and tender leaves.” cows and buffalos, bulls, draft animals, and heifers, and modify them to seek advantage, There are literally hundreds of prescriptions where available. Likewise, herbal remedies involving herbals, cow urine, cow dung, for cattle diseases and disorders should be animal wastes including horns, fi sh, crab validated. shells, ghee, oils and oilcakes, asafetida, mustards, and many other materials There are many other aspects, such as novel that villagers can easily procure. These grafts and other horticultural prescriptions, prescriptions were recorded by our sages and annual forecast of monsoon, etc. It is after the formulations were successfully up to us to learn as much as we can from tested in fi eld tests to validate as many the wisdom documented in texts by our of these prescriptions as possible. It is sages and scholars centuries ago. We should unfortunate that currently almost no plant remember that our farmers are still linked to protectionist wants to undertake work India’s millennia old agricultural heritage. on these prescriptions. Indian funding agencies and university authorities must demonstrate genuine patriotism and It is better to confi ne ourselves to less trust the wisdom of our ancestors. They toxic materials, and laborers must not should encourage scientists through be asked to handle insecticides without liberal grants for research on validating protective gear. If we use effective ancient and medieval farm techniques herbal remedies (wherever possible), and practices. Many insecticides currently farmers and workers would be safe. used today are very effective but highly 388 Practicing sustainable agriculture

Mohan Kumar B. (Tr.) 2008. Krishi Gita What we need to do is to validate the (Agricultural Verses). Agri-History Bulletin No. diets prescribed for cows and buffalos, 7. Asian Agri-History Foundation, Secunderabad bulls, draft animals, and heifers, and 500009, India. 112 pp. modify them to seek advantage, where available. Likewise, herbal remedies for Sadhale Nalini. (Tr.) 1996. Surapala’s cattle diseases and disorders should be Vrikshayurveda (The Science of Plant Life validated. by Surapala). Agri-History Bulletin No. 1. Asian Agri-History Foundation, Secunderabad 500009, India. 94 pp. Bibliography Sadhale Nalini. (Tr.) 1999. Krishi-Parashara Aiyar VVS. 1998. Agricultural maxims of the (Agriculture by Parashara). Agri-History poet Tiruvalluvar (published in 1952). Asian Bulletin No. 2. Asian Agri-History Foundation, Agri-History 2(1):59–61. Secunderabad 500009, India. 94 pp.

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