HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE
Organic Farming was
initiated in 10,000 years back when ancient farmers started cultivation
depending on natural sources only. There is a brief mention of several organic
inputs in our ancient literature like Rigveda, Ramayana, Mahabharata, Kautilya
Arthasashthra etc. In fact Organic Agriculture has its roots in traditional
agricultural practices that evolved in countless villages and farming
communities over the millennium.
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HISTORICAL
PERSPECTIVE OF ORGANIC FARMING |
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Ancient Period |
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Oldest Practice |
10,000 year old
dating back to Neolithic age practiced by ancient cultivation like |
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Ramayana |
All dead
things-rotting corpse or stinking garbage returned to earth are transformed
into wholesome things that nourish life. Such is the alchemy of mother earth
as interpreted by C. Rajagopalachari. |
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Mahabharata (5500 BC) |
Mention of Kamadhenu,
the celestial cow and its role on human life and soil fertility. |
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Kautilya Arthashastra
(300 BC) |
Mentioned several
manures like oil cake, excreta of animals. |
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Brihad- Sanhita (by
Varahmihir) |
Described how to
choose manures for different crops and the methods of manuring. |
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Rigveda (2500-1500
BC) |
Mention
of organic manure in Ria Veda 1, 161, 10,2500-1500 BC, is Green Manure in
Atharva Veda II 8.3, (1000 BC). In Sukra (IV, V, 94, 107-112) it is stated
that to cause healthy growth the plant should be nourished by dungs of goat,
sheep, cow, water as well as meat. A reference of manure is also made in Vrksayurveda
by surpala (manuscript, oxford, No 324 B, Six, 107-164) |
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Holy Quran 590 AD |
At
least one third of what you take out from soils must be returned to it
implying recycling or post-harvest residue. |