Albeit "Bhagwan Bharose Mast Kheti" 
(God Blessed Bio Diverse Farming)

Natural farming, variously called with slight variations on emphasis, as organic farming, micro-biotic farming, biological farming, eco-farming, rishi farming, spiritual farming, zero-tillage farming, sustainable farming3, bio-dynamic farming, bio-diverse farming, Permaculture4 and else, is essentially based on the Mahayan philosophy of "Nothingness" of Gautam Buddha1. It corresponds closely to nature and the laws of nature such as the unity of every thing, co-existance, self regulation and regeneration (auto poiesis)6, interdependence of each entity, and is a definite shift from object to relationships. It dwells on the basic premise that the universe is a living co-existantial creative experience where the smallest micro-organism (micro-cosm) is intricately interwoven with the entire cosmos (Cosmo-vision)5 and that the systems thinking is contextual environmental thinking2.
Pure natural farming albiet God blessed Bio-diverse farming which we have preferred to call "Bhagwan Bharose Mast kheti" (or non-farming) is deeply articulated in the ways of living and farming of the tribal community of the south Rajasthan of Aravali Hill region. It is totally dependent on the blessings of God in terms of the monsoon rains, all powerful source of energy : the sunshine, unpolluteld free air and the bio-diverse plant and animal world which has a tremendous capacity to adapt itself to all kinds of environmental conditions. It is "Mast" because there is no worry as to the yield, income or profit per acre of land or per person deflecting the modern concepts of growth or progress. A mixed pattern of tree, shrub and herb species, one over the other, can take care of the food, fuel, fibre, fodder, resin, gum, medicinal herbs, for abundant health and wealth needed for a frugal and self fulfilling living.

__________________________________________________________________________________

Sponsored by : Gyan Bharati Trust, Udaipur
Address for Communication : Dr. R.C. Mehta, 46, Gokul Nagar, Bohra Ganesh Temple, Udaipur 313001 E-mail : rcmehta47@hotmail.com ; Tel : 0091 294 2471738

The main features of "Bhagwan Bharose Mast" farming are: 

1. Minimal human intervention,
2. Least land manipulation : Zero or (minimum) tillage.
3. Least use of machine and fossil fuel energy.
4. No use of chemical fertilizers.
5. No use of chemical pesticides (excepting herbal formulations), herbicides etc.
6. Rain fed : Life saving irrigation may sometimes be needed.
7. Multi-tier bio-diverse mixed farming including true, shrub and herb species to meet the diverse needs of food, fiber, fuel, oils, gums and medicinal plants.
8. Being purely natural, strategies based on watershed area delineation converging in common rain water outlet following soil and water conservation, recharge and recycling techniques.
9. Developing institutional, human and material resources to restore the human disturbed eco-system to bring it to earlier pristine forms.

We, the social scientists, natural scientists, volunteer NGO workers, Govt. organisations and all seeking welfare of tribal community have to make concerted effort in this direction because :

1. Primarily, it is the mainstay and only locally sustainable source of livelihood for tribal community of south Rajasthan.
2. It will ensure productivity and reliability of income on permanent basis for the tribals who are made to suffer the vagaries of deforestation jeopardising their very survival.
3. It will help general improved of environment and ecology of the wider geographical area and reduce natural hazards.
4. It will generate employment directly and through subsequent industrial development for the masses at the local level, specially farm women, thus providing opportunity of under utilized human resource potential.
5. Undoubtedly, it will provide food, fodder, fiber, fuel, timber, resins and most importantly herbal medicinal wealth for the nation adding significantly to the national wealth.

A model is created :

At "Tapovan Ashram" in village Naya Kheda (Nai), a model has been created amidst tribal inhabitation for arid and semi-arid barren hilly wastelands wherein pure natural farming (permaculture) designs are demonstrated for application elsewhere and anywhere. 

These are :
Situation I : BARREN HIGHLY SLOPY HILLY TOTALLY RAINFED WASTELAND WITHOUT PROTECTION FROM ANIMAL GRAZING 
Location : Land over the anicut - 1 ha. or 4 bighas.
Trees - Karanji (Pongamia glabra), Sitaphal, Parkinsonia, Roonjha, Eucalyptus, Kikar (Ingadalsis).
Shrubs - Ratanjot (Jetropha curcas), Guarpata (Aloe vera), Cactus & Ram Bans (Agave sissalana), Vilayati Babool (Prosopis juliflora), 
Herbs - Panwaria (Cassia tora).

Situation II : BARREN HILLY WASTELAND TOTALLY RAINFED BUT HAVING LOOSE STONE BOUNDARY WALL TO PROTECT FROM ANIMAL GRAZING.
Plot 1 : Guggal plot: 0.25 ha. or 1 bigha.
Trees : Aonla, Neem, Babool (Acacia arabica), Gangali, 
Shrubs : Guggal, Cactus & Agave, Karonda, Guar pata (Aloe vera), Harsingar (Nyctanthus arbortris), Madar (Calotropis gigantica).
Herbs : Grass - Dhaman (Canchrous ciliaris), Lapla; Minor millets - Kangani (Setaria italica), Sawa;.
Plot 2. Sitaphal plot 0.5 ha. or 2 bighas.
Trees : Sitaphal (Annona), Arjun (Terminalia arjuna), Gonda (Cordiya mixa), Mulbery (Morus alba), Aritha (Sapindus laurifolia), Shikakai (Acacia coccina L.), Neem, Sisham, Umar (ficus recimosa).
Shrubs : Aloe, Nirgundi (Vitex nigundo), Adusa (Adhotada vasica), Ananatmool (Hemidesmus indicus), Mehandi (Lawsonia), Chirmi (Abrus precatorious), . 
Herbs : Kalmegh (Andographis peniculata), Babachi (Psoralia corlifolia), Sada Bahar (Catheranthus roseus); Grasses & Minor millets, Kanghi (Abutilon indicum).
Plot 3 : Chetai Gulab plot 0.25 ha. or 1 bigha.
Trees: Aonla, Siras (Albizia labbac), Eucalyptus, Roonjha, Neem, Khejari.
Shrubs : Chetai Gulab (Rosa damacina), Karonda.
Herbs : Grass
Plot 4 : South of Pyramids - 0.25 ha or 1 bigha
Only grass as fodder.
Situation III : LIGHT SLOPPY OR TERRACED LAND WITH MINIMAL IRRIGATION FACILITY AND SAFE FROM GRAZING.
Plot 1 : Aonla plot 1.25 ha. or 5 bighas
Trees : Aonla, Arjun, Amaltas, Imli (Tamarind), Karanji 
Shrubs : -
Herbs : Sanai (Cassia anguistifolia), Bala (Sida cordifolia), Name (Echinostus), Bhui aonla (Phyllanthus niruri), Punarnava (Boerhavia diffusa), Makoy (Solanum nigrum), Grasses.
Plot 2 : Lamon - Guava plot 0.5 ha. or 2 Bighas
Trees : Guava, Lemon, Chiku, Anjeer, Jamun, Harde, Behda.
Shrubs : Aloe vera, Aparajita (Clitoria turnata),
Herbs : Grass, 
Plot 3 : Ber plot 1 ha. or 4 bighas
Trees : Ber (Zyzyphus spp.), Neem, 
Herbs : Safed musli, Grasses, Dudhi (Euphorbia hirta), Irandi (Racinus communis), 
Plot 4 : Beel plot 0.25 ha. or 1 bigha.
Trees: Gambhari (Gmalina arborea), Dhak, Mahuva, Beheda (Terminalia ballarica), Cassia, Sanjana (Moringa Olifera),
Shrubs : Aloe, Lamon grass, Malkangani (Celistus, peniculata), Hadjod (Cissus quadringularis) 
Herbs : Kalmegh, Tulsi, Konch, Chitrak (Plumbago zylanica), Bhringraj (Eclipta alba), Konch (Mucuna pruriens).
Situation IV : PLAIN CULTIVATED LAND WITH ASSURED IRRIGATION AND SAFETY FROM GRAZING.
Plot 1 : Lucerne plot : 0.05 ha. or 0.25 bigha
(Intercrop with Papaya).
Plot 2 : Safed Musli (Chlorophytem borivillianum) : 0.05 ha. or 0.25 bigha
Under the shade of trees Kotbari (Feronia limonia), Khirni (Wrightia tinctoria), Semal (Bombax malbaricum), Khair & Neem.
Plot 3 : Vegetable and nursery plots 0.05 ha. or 0.25 bigha
Under shade of Aonla, Gambhari, Roonjha trees.
Shrubs : Sinduri (Bixa orallama), 
Plot 4 :Mango groove (below swimming pool)-0.25 ha, 1bigha.
Trees : Kathal (Jack fruit), Apple, Peach, Cherry, Coconut, Banana, Supari (Areca catachu), 
Shrubs : Kewada (Pandenus odoratissimus)
Herbs : Sarpgandha (Rauvolfia, serpentina), Adhotada, vasica, haldi, Adarak, Arvi.
Plot 5 : Maize plot (over the swimming pool) 0.05 ha. or
0.25 bigha.
- Cereal - pulse rotation followed.
Plot 6 : Flower plots (below the well) 0.25 ha. or 1 bigha.
Trees : Mango, Jamun, Chiku, Harad, Papaya, 
Shrubs : Rose (Desi & Ganganagri), Mitha neem (Murraya), Kaner (Nerium indicum), Gudhal (Hibiscus),Harsringar (Nyctanthus).
Herbs : Flowers : Marigold, Chrysanthemums.
Plot 7 : Wheat plot (Boarder on well side) 0.25 ha. or 1 bigha
Cereal - pulse rotation followed.
The above situation is congenial for specialised crop production following improved cultivation practices. Besides the agricultural and horticultural crops including a large number of medicinal herbs, cattle are maintained for recycling of farm waste and utilization of dung for compost making, vermi composting, bio-gas production as a necessary requirement of organic farming.
In brief, our strategy of action at Tapovan Ashram in village Naya Khera has been :
1. Experimentation and developing patterns of appropriate technology for tribal agro-ecology. Use of science and technology (including bio-technology) for life furthering and life preserving and not for destroying life. Creating sustainable people centred equity based growth strategy and work out priorities for sequencing development interventions8.
2. Developsing infrastructural resource base through soil and water conservation and watershed development techniques towards evolving a methodology for supporting endogenous development.
3. Mixed farming for small farms and households to include crops, fruits, vegetables, flowers and cattle.
4. Organic farming : Building microbial population and enriching soil through vermicomposting and recycling of waste (dung and crop residues).
5. Tree plantation to maximize use of solar energy in multi tier crop production land use design.
6. Cultivation of medicinal plants.
7. Work for farm family labour and animal power all the year round.
In conclusion, I quote Schumacher7 "The problem faced by environmental deterioration is not primarily a technical problem; if it were, it would not have arisen in its acutest form in the technologically most advanced societies. It does not stem from scientific or technical incompetence, or from insufficient scientific education, or from a lack of information, or from any shortage of trained man power, or lack of money for research. It stems from the life style of the modern world which in turn arises from its most basic beliefs - its metaphysics - if you like". "Metaphysics" or spirituality may encompass the entire value orientation of compassion, love, non-violence, continence, frugality in living style for a sustainable and blissful living as against the present day thrust of extravagent consumarism, causing destruction of natural resources, social and environmental losses and the modern combat (to kill or sweep all life towards a clean monoculture) agriculture carried out with the sole motive of maximizing income and profit for the benefit of a few at the cost of all the rest by means whatsoever. May we have the cosdurage and strength to traverse the noble path?

R.C.Mehta
Referential Notes :

(1) Masanoba Fukuoka (i) One Straw Revolution : The other India Press, Mapusa (Goa) : Mahayan natural farming arises of itself when a unity exists between man and nature. It confirms to nature as it is, and to the mind as it is. Pure natural farming, is the no stroke school. It goes no where and seeks no victory. Putting "doing nothing" into practice is the one thing the farmer should strive to accomplish. I believe that Gandhi's way, a methodless method, acting with a non-winning, non-opposing state of mind, is akin to natural farming. The ultimate goal of natural farming is not the growing of crops, but the cultivation and perfection of human being.

(2) Fritjof capra : (i) Web of life (ii) the hidden connections. Doubleday, N.Y. (2002). When the spirit is understood as a mode of consciousness in which the individual feels a sense of belonging, of connectedness, to the cosmos as a whole, it becomes clear that ecological awareness is spiritual in its deepest essence.

(3) Carolyn Merchant, Radical Ecology : The Search for a livable world. Routledge, N.Y. : Intensive management by the farmer working in harmony with nature optimises yields, compost, crop rotations, diversification, polycultures, cover crops and careful selection of varieties lead to better tasting, nutritious production. In sustainable agriculture, a system approach is needed. It integrates the human community with the agro-eco system. This holistic approach to farming communities draws attention to the interaction not only within (and) among farming families and other human member(s) of rural communities, but also between non-human components such as crops with crops, crops with animals, soil conditions and fertility with insects, and disease in crops and live stock. Sustainable agriculutre is thus based on an ecocentric ethic of management in which the land is considered as a whole, its human components being only one element.

(4) Bill Mollison, Permaculture : A designer's Manual. Tagori publications, Tyolgum, Australia: In contrast to monocultural agriculture, permaculture uses several stories of trees, shrubs, vines, and perennial ground crops to absorb more light and nutrients, increasing the total yield. Plants and animals coexist in seperate niches that reduce competition and promote syssmbiosis among species. Complexity not only helps to ward off catastrophes, but increases the variety of food produced.

(5) Bertus Haverkort and Win Hiemstra (eds), Food for thought : Ancient visious and new experiments of rural people. Books for change, Bangalore. Supports endogamous development. Stresses on cosmovision of various cultures and traditions.

(6) Margaret J. Wheatley and Myron Kellner - Rogers, A simpler way. Berratt - Koehler Publishers, San Francisco USA : Self organization is the capacity of life to invent itself. Out of nothing comes something. No externally imposed plans or designs are required. Biologists, Humberto Maturana and Francisco Varela, believe that this capacity of a self to create itself distinguishes the living from the dead. They name this process autopoiesis meaning self producing. Life is circles of becoming, an autocatelyth set, inflaming itself with its own sparts, breeding upon itself more life and more wildness and more "becomingness".

7. E.F. Schumacher, This I believe and other essays. The Vivek Foundation, New Delhi, 110049, (1997).

8. David C. Korten; Getting to the 21st Century. Kumarian Press, Connelcticut, USA.
The people centered development vision defines development as a process by which the members of a society increase their personal and institutional capacities to mobilize and manage resources to produce sustainable and justly distributed improvements in their quality of life consistent with their own aspirations.