Traditional Knowledge for Sustainable Management of Soils - Principles of Sustainable Soil Management in Agroecosystems - page 312

rain. In the second method, the field is fallowed for only one season (4 months after
harvesting rabi season crops).
13.3.4 C rop r otation
Farmers in ancient India were aware of the importance of crop rotation to improve
soil productivity (Figure 13.3). Farmers choose the crop to be grown in rotation
depending upon soil, rainfall pattern, and available resources. The ancient texts
describe what type of crop ought to be rotated in each soil, rainfall condition, and
so forth, much before the modern-day agricultural scientists highlighted crop rota-
tion for building soil fertility and reducing pest and disease incidence. The choice
of crop rotation is heavily influenced by the desire to reduce the need for labor and
intensive land preparation (basic principles of conservation agriculture as we under-
stand today). In addition, some farmers have learnt that to prepare the nursery bed
for paddy crop, it is necessary to grow berseem, which is one of the dominant fodder
crops during the rabi season. Local farmers perceive that it helps to increase the
amounts of residue in the soil as well as strengthen the soil health.
13.3.5 o rGaniC F arMinG
Organic farming is not a new concept in India. Natural organic farming is the true
and original form of agriculture, “the 'method less' method of agriculture—the
unmoving way of Bodhidharma” (Aishwath 2007). The philosophy of sustainable
agriculture was expounded millennia ago in the Vedas , the ancient Hindu scriptures,
and consists of four components. (1) Humans are a part of the complex universe, and
the intimacy of humans with nature is a matter of great joy. (2) Humans should live
in harmony with natural forces and ensure that harmony with the different natural
forces or panchabhutas (earth, water, air, fire, and akash [ether]) is not disturbed.
FIGURE 13.3 Cereal-legume intercropping system. (Reprinted from CRIDA. With
permission.)