Sustainable Farming Practices – A Kerala Perspective

Feeding the growing population without overexploiting resources is a concern that can be addressed through the adoption of longterm sustainable production techniques. The concept of sustainable farming system lies in ecological, social and economic sustainability and the process is still evolving. Sustainability maybe considered as an optimization process that engages all participants including farmers, labourers, policy makers, retailers, consumers and researchers.

Ecological, Social and Economic sustainability

Ecological sustainability emphasizes water and soil management, system sustainability, agrochemical handling, climate change adaptation, and risk analysis, promoting biodiversity, natural pest control, nutrient recycling, renewable energy, and integrating livestock with on-farm forestry. Social sustainability is achieved through food security, dignified employment, food education, and stronger associations. In Kerala, rice security is critical due to a significant production shortfall, necessitating a sustainable boost in rice production to meet the growing demand. Economic sustainability hinges on profitable enterprises, sound financial planning, proactive marketing, risk management, and adept overall management

Diversification

Diversification in cropping by double cropping, mixed cropping, crop rotation and farming through incorporation of fishery, dairy, poultry, honey bee, mushroom etc can bring sustainability. Homestead farming, the traditional system of Kerala is essentially a low external input agro ecosystem. The high species diversity and complex structural arrangement of components with strong ecological foundations simulates the structure and function of a natural tropical forest ecosystem.

Integrated nutrient management

Integrated Nutrient Management is the best approach for better utilization of available resources to produce crops with less expenditure. The comprehensive nutrient status of Kerala published revealed acidic soils with low to medium potassium, deficient calcium, magnesium ,sulphur, copper, zinc and boron in majority of the samples. KAU has developed a multi nutrient mixture” Sampoorna” for foliar application in vegetables and ” Ayar” a micronutrient fertilizer mixture for banana. Biofertilisers such as Azospirillium, azotobacter, P solubilising bacteria, Arbuscular Mycorhizal Fungi, rhizobium and PGPR Mix are some of the potential and preferred choice of farmers. This can be integrated into the integrated nutrient management system. Application of organic matter increases microorganism density and activity in the soil, thus decreasing population densities of pathogenic and soil borne fungi which restricts the requirement of chemical alternatives.

Integrated pest and disease management

Integrated pest and disease management uses resistant or tolerant varieties, cultural practices, use of parasites, predators, pathogens attractants, repellents, sterilants, growth regulators, male sterile techniques, suppression campaigns, quarantine measures and judicious use of pesticides. Different biocontrol agents available in Kerala Agricultural University includes Pseudomonas fluorescens, Trichoderma, Beauvaria bassiana, Lacanicillium lecanii, Metarrhizium anisoplea, Paecilomyces lilacinus , PGPR MIX 11, Trichogramma and entomopathogenic nematode infested cadaver for the control of various diseases and pests of major crops of Kerala.

Soil and Water management

The basic unit for sustainable farming should be based on watershed. Management of watershed involves the rational utilization of land and water resources for optimum production but with minimum hazards to natural and human resources. Agronomical and mechanical soil conservation measures are the approaches. Agronomical soil conservation practices are contour cropping/ planting, contour strip cropping, crop rotation, green manuring, cover cropping, mulching etc for milder slopes. Mechanical or engineering soil and water conservation measures are to be adopted in combination to agronomical measures in high and steep slopes. The bench terracing, contour bunding for gradual development of terraces, half moon terracing, grass water ways, drop pits, gully plugs, earth dams for water harvesting, contour trenching and staggered trenching for forestry land uses, drainage line treatment structures etc. are common mechanical methods adopted.

Post harvest technologies

To attain the potential of increased productivity, a significant reduction in post harvest loss is required. The Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) approach has been effective and is obligatory in developed country markets for all stages of food production after primary production. While Good Agricultural Practices cover the agricultural phase of food production, the post agricultural phase needs proper management through Good Marketing Practices including Good post-harvest management, Consistent marketing and Efficient trade.

Adoption of innovative technologies

Integration of innovative technologies reduce carbon emission, sustain ecosystem and improve economics of farm. Nanotechnology through use of nanofertilizers, nanopesticides, various sensors for monitoring quality of soil, plant and water, biotechnological tools for early and quick detection of plant diseases, harmful residues, introduction of new traits into plant species, genetic mapping, marker assisted selection, production of novel vaccinations , diagnostic tools to improve animal health, application of embryo technologies, precision farming through use of global navigation satellite system, geographic information system, yield monitoring, remote sensing, specific management decisions for soils and crops are innovative technologies for sustainable farming.

Climate smart agriculture

Climate Smart Agriculture aims at sustainably increasing agricultural productivity and incomes, adapting and building resilience to climate change and reducing or removing green house gas emissions. A climate smart model suited for lowlands developed by Kerala Agricultural University consists of 0.2 ha, with major crop coconut, intercrops vegetables, fruit crops, spices, fodder and tuber crops , livestock, azolla and agroforestry consisting of teak, jack, breadfruit, garcinia and mango. The productivity enhanced ten-folds in Integrated Farming System compared to sole crop of coconut. The system was found climate-smart because of reduced use of chemical fertilizers and net negative emission of greenhouse gases mostly achieved through agroforestry.

Coconut based Integrated farming system

Evolving a sustainable farming practice for a particular region should be based on watershed. The land use pattern of the watershed of a particular region has to be studied and soil map as well as soil fertility maps should be made. The sustainable system should be made very efficient incorporating innovative agricultural technologies, ensuring carbon neutrality, climate smart practices, adopting proper post harvest technologies and making an efficient marketing channel.