Two third of India’s population depends on agriculture. In India agriculture acquires 18% of the GDP as stated by the economic data of the financial year 2006-2007. 43 % of India’s geographical area is occupied by the agricultural sector.
But regrettably, 200,000 farmers have ended their lives since 1997. This is the result of rapid indebtedness of the farmers. In 1998 the structural adjustment policies of the World Bank forced India to open up to international corporations like Monsanto, Syngenta and Cargill and this changed the scenario immediately. These seed were patent and of single yield and as a result the poor farmers were forced to buy new seeds of every planting season.
Inspired by the traditional form of agriculture, Madhu Pandit Dasa envisioned a eco-friendly and sustainable organic farm. His initiatives led to creating the Hare Krishna Nature Farm, in Mysore. This concept of impacting rural development through sustainable agriculture was conceived by him long before the organized sector realized its potential..The Hare Krishna Nature Farm grew to be a model farm and a case study in sustainable and organic farming in Karnataka, specific to the farmers of dry lands. Thousands of farmers all over India have benefitted from this project.
The Nature Farm believes in making a difference to the lives of farmers, who comprise over 55% of the nation’s population. It is founded on the understanding that the diverse culture of farming rests with the rural population and any drain of rural population to the urban settlement results in the extinction of the delicate and diverse cultural fabric of the nation. The motto being, ‘Taking prosperity to the door steps of farmers’.
More Details: http://www.blog.akshayapatra.org/
