COMMUNITY LEVEL WORKSHOP TO IMPART PRACTICAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS ON ORGANIC FOOD PRODUCTION
Background:
As a result of world-war II, the world faced the multiple problems in various sector such as economy, trade, industrial development, infrastructure and agriculture. The global population increased in alarming high rate. The rate of food production could not meet the increasing demand of food. So, to solve this issue, scientist of agriculture sector tirelessly contributed in the research and development of agricultural technology. The group of scientist led by Dr. Norman E. Borlaug brought revolution in agriculture sector solving the then problem of food insecurity known as Green Revolution. The revolution address the problem such as low productivity, insect pest problem and more labor cost by introducing high yielding, fertilizer responsive variety of rice and other crops, developing packages of practices, infrastructure and mechanical tools, and introducing disease resistant variety of crops. The production of food increases significantly by the heavy use of inputs such as fertilizer, hybrid seeds and chemical pesticides in high dose to control insect pest and diseases.
But the negative results of high use of fertilizer and chemical pesticides slowly came to appear. The erosion of soil properties and soil biodiversity brought decline in productivity, loss of indigenous crop variety, increases the incidence of new and destructing pest in crops and pollution. Many researchers, experts of agriculture sector and environmental scientists illustrate the negative impacts of chemical agriculture and monoculture and suggest to adopt sustainable approach of agriculture for food security.
In recent years, there has been a growing awareness and demand for organic, sustainable, and environmentally-friendly food production practices. Many communities are increasingly interested in learning about and adopting organic farming methods to improve food security, promote environmental conservation, and provide healthier options for their residents. Organic agriculture offers numerous benefits, including reduced chemical inputs, improved soil health, increased biodiversity, and the production of nutrient-dense foods. However, many small-scale farmers and community members may lack the practical knowledge and skills required to transition to organic practices.
To address this need, a community-level workshop was organized by Graduate school of agriculture and forestry (GSAF), First batch (4th semester) on 17th chaitra 2080, to share practical knowledge and hands-on skills in organic food production. This workshop aimed to bridge this gap by providing a platform for learning, collaboration, and the exchange of best practices in organic food production.
This community-level workshop on organic food production was designed to address the growing demand for sustainable and healthy food options. By providing practical knowledge, hands-on training, and a platform for knowledge sharing, the workshop aimed to empower community members to adopt organic practices and contribute to the long-term resilience and well-being of their local food systems.
Workshop Objectives:
The key objectives of the community-level workshop on organic food production were:
1. To educate participants on the principles and practices of organic agriculture.
2. To facilitate the exchange of knowledge and experiences among community members, local farmers, and subject matter experts.
3. To interact directly with local organic farmers to know practical knowledge of organic farming, the demand of organic product in market, consumers preference, the challenge and benefits of organic production etc.
4. To interact directly with the representative of local body (municipality) and agro-vet owner to know the policy, priorities and activities of respective body for promoting organic agriculture.
5. To inspire and empower participants to adopt organic practices in their own food production efforts, whether in backyard gardens, small-scale farms, or community gardens.
Participation:
The workshop composed of a diverse group of members, including:
- Small-scale organic farmer
-Representative farmer from pesticides reduction farmer group
- Representative from Bheriganga municipality and agro-vet owner
- Dean and Director (Coordinator) from GSAF institution
- Course lecturer of organic food, health and happiness
- Students of 4th semester of GSAF
By reaching out to this broad audience, the workshop aimed to create a collaborative and inclusive learning environment that would foster the adoption of organic practices at the community level. Altogether we were 39 participants; one organic farmer from Ramghat village, one representative from Bheriganga municipality, Dean and Coordinator of GSAF, one our course lecturer and 34 students of 4th semester.
The Workshop session:
Our workshop session was divided into two major sessions: formal or inaugural session and informal or technical session.
Inaugural/ Formal session:
The program was anchored by Mr. Rajendra Kumar Rawat. Mr. Madhavraj Chaunlagain was the chairperson of the workshop program. Mr. Ganesh Bhandari (representative from Bheriganga municipality and agro-vet owner) was the chief guest of program. Mr. Chandra G.C. (organic farmer from Nirjal Krisi Farm and representative from pesticides reduction farmer group) was the special guest of the workshop program. Prof. Dr. Bimal Kumar lal Karna (Dean of GSAF), Associate prof. Dr. Karan Singh Dhami (Director/coordinator of GSAF), and Assistant Prof. Mr. Prakash Kumar Khadka (Course teacher) were the honorable guest of the program.
Our course teacher Assistant prof. Mr. Prakash Kumar Khadka welcomed all the guest of the program through his sweet welcome speech. He emphasized and clarified the aim of the workshop program was to impart practical knowledge and skills on organic food production. He illustrated the significance of organic agriculture for the sustainable food production and its suitability in the prospects of karnali provience.
Our honorable guest and director of GSAF, associate prof. Dr. Karansingh Dhami provided the real meaning of organic agriculture as a traditional way of cultivating crops avoiding the use of synthetic chemical inputs and recycling the byproduct of organic origin into the agriculture system. He also mentioned the necessity of slogan “back to nature” by understanding the relative advantage of sustainable organic agriculture over chemical based agriculture to preserve health of soil, ecosystem and human beings as well as for happy and long life.
Then after, our next honorable guest and Dean of GSAF, prof. Dr. Bimal Kumar lal Karna depicted the clear picture of organic agriculture and importance of practical knowledge and skills on organic agriculture to every citizen for being happy and healthy life. He also mentioned his contribution to bring organic agriculture course in graduate curriculum of GSAF. He concluded that the organic agriculture could bring revolution addressing the long term food security utilizing the technology giving example of probiotic milk product in developed countries.
After the speech of Dean sir, we ended the formal/ inaugural session of the workshop program.
Informal/ Technical session (discussion):
The informal program was facilitated by our course lecturer and guest of program Mr. Prakash kumar Khadka. He collected the questions raised by the participated students regarding the organic agriculture and passed to the respective guests of the program.
The questions asked to the chief guest of the workshop program are:
What is the policy of Bheriganga municipality in promoting organic agriculture?
What are the activities that Bheriganga municipality undertakes to increase awareness of organic agriculture among farmers and how local government helps farmers in adopting sustainable and organic agricultural practices?
As a agro-vet owner, which practices do you suggest to the customer in controlling the insect pests and diseases among organic (traditional) and chemical method?
The questions asked to the special guest (organic farmer) are:
How do you define organic agriculture?
When did you start the organic farm?
What things inspire you towards organic agriculture?
What are the organic practices that you follow in your farm? How do you control the pests and diseases of crops organically in your farm?
What is the market demand of organic products and their benefit cost ratio?
How do you assure that the crops you produced are organically grown? How customer can recognize your products are organic, while available in market?
The questions asked to the honorable guest and Dean of GSAF are:
How do you contribute in policy formulation regarding the promotion of organic agriculture and products in karnali province?
What is your vision in initiating organic agriculture department in GSAF? What is its impact in the development of knowledge and skills of organic food production at community level?
After collecting the questions from the participants, our lecturer of organic agriculture and assistant prof. Mr. Prakash Kumar Khadka requested speaker of the program (Mr. Rajendra Kumar Rawat) to move to the next session of the program. In this session, the guests of the program answered the questions raised by students.
Firstly, our chief guest (representative from Bheriganga municipality ward no 13) was requested to deliver speech and answered the questions raised by students. He informed us about his contribution in the social development of Bheriganga municipality. He told us that he understand the basic problem of farmer as his family background was agriculture based. According to him, the negligence of government to the agriculture sector, less priority given to the farmer and misuse of grants and subsidies are the major drawbacks hindering the welfare of actual farmer. He emphasized that each politician should deliver their service for the welfare of all common people instead of utilizing the governmental service. He shared the experience of suppressing the positive issues or voice of him by the leading (ruling) political party. He accepted that there are very less effort of the municipality or local government in policy making and supporting organic farmer. However, he said that he personally adopted organic practices like use of farm yard manure or compost, botanical pesticides etc. in his land and suggests organic practices to the customer before recommendation of chemical pesticides while controlling insect pest.
Then, our special guest (organic farmer, owner of Nirjal krishi farm) was requested to share his experience. We knew the practical knowledge about the organic agriculture from him. He started organic farm 3 years ago with the collaboration with NGOs like LI-BIRD and CEPREAD Nepal. Before initiating organic farm, he used to cultivate crops using chemical fertilizer and chemical pesticides that harms the health of soil, ecosystem and human beings. The members of these NGOs convinced him about the importance and advantage of organic agriculture and products. So, he participated in the training program of these NGOs and the technicians/members provided practical knowledge and skills on organic practices. After then, he continuously engaged in organic food production in his farm. He provided knowledge to the students considering the jholmol-1, jholmol-2, and jholmol-3 preparation. He guided us about the preparation of botanical pesticides from home available plants having insecticidal properties. He also informed us about the use of various types of traps like light trap, pheromone trap, otta t trap, yellow sticky trap etc. for the control of specific pest. As a organic farmer, he was able to explain and identify the natural enemy and pest of crops which is helpful in controlling pest.
According to him, people are not able to identify organically grown crops and attracted towards chemically grown crops as they look fresh, undamaged and healthy by the use of chemical. People do not choose organic crops as they look damage by insect due to lower efficacy of botanical pesticides in controlling pest. However, the nutritive value, taste and health boosting component are high in organic food. So, organic certification is essential to the organically grown crops. But the process is complex and he was unable to receive organic certification to his product due to poor access to the certification body.
Then, we requested our honorable guest (Prof. Dr. Bimal Kumar lal Karna ; Dean of GSAF) to answer the questions raised by students. He assured his contribution to formulate policy at the provincial level regarding organic agriculture. We came to know that, despite of great effort of him to provide quality and practical education to the students, lack of helping hands and irresponsibility of local government towards infrastructure development of GSAF, challenges his goal and dream. He also mentioned the importance of organic food in longevity of individuals and such workshop program in knowledge and skills developments of participants on organic food.
After the completion of speech of our guests, the speaker of the program (Mr. Rajendra Kumar Rawat) requested the chairperson of the program (Mr. Madhavraj Chaunlagain) to close the program through is closing speech.
The chairperson thanks all the guests for being participated in the workshop program and especially to our course lecturer Mr. Prakash Kumar Khadka for organizing such a wonderful workshop program with great effort. He assured that such kind of program really builds the capacity of participants and helpful in adopting sustainable agricultural practices. Then, he completed his speech and closed the program.
Conclusion:
The workshop program was organized to establish a communication channel between the students of university and community members of Bheriganga municipality regarding organic agriculture issues. The program was successfully organized with the great efforts and guidance of Assistant professor Mr. Prakash Kumar Khadka. All participants and guests of the program actively involved in discussion session of the program delivering their views on organic agriculture and practical ways on adopting sustainable practices of agriculture.
Annex I: Workshop Schedule
COMMUNITY LEVEL WORKSHOP TO IMPART PRACTICAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS ON ORGANIC FOOD PRODUCTION
17th chaitra 2080, Graduate School of Agriculture and Forestry, Surkhet
Workshop Schedule
Annex II: List of Participants
