“aadim” : An effort to Strengthen Indigenous Farmers

Every half an hour a farmer is committing suicide in India. There is an agrarian crisis in many regions of the country. The socio-economy of agriculture is failing. Debt ridden and caught in the trap of market, even if the farmers toil hard, they face losses and misery.

What is "Aadim"? 

Something that is the most original, the pristine and prime!
Something that celebrates the wisdom of the indigenous culture and the way of life close to the nature.
Something that has the rich taste of the vibrant tradition - that is "Aadim" 

So in one of the most undeveloped regions of the country, Akash & his team have been teaching farmers the techniques of agriculture which are low cost, rooted in their culture and augmented with new sustainable science

They are also mobilizing farmers to learn the techniques of organic farming - so that their expenses are low, they preserve the health of the soil, the environment, their family and themselves , and yet earn a good productivity.

Simple techniques such as the use of "beejamrit" to treat the seeds, "Jeevamrit" to improve the productivity of soil, Leaf extracts to repel the pests, NADEP compost, Vermie compost, and so on...

All this, so that a tribal and marginal farmer has a generous bounty without any hefty loans, without any chemical fertilizers or pesticides or fungicides or herbicides. Reliance on the self rather than the dependence on the multinational giants!

 But, just having a good production is not sufficient. The market with its traders and middle men always exploits the individual farmers. Akash & his team have been organizing individual farmers into the groups, so that they can face the market or any system together with confidence.

The farmer who uses ample chemicals and pesticides doesn't have to prove anything to anybody that his produce is free from hazardous chemicals. But an organic farmer has to substantiate his claim with a rigorous process of certification. Recently they also received the PGS organic certificates for around 450 farmers which were distributed by the Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh on 13th Oct, 2015 in a public ceremony at Dantewada. 

And the organic farmers of Dantewada will now market their produce with the brand name "Aadim". Products like organic Rice of traditional and scented varieties, pulses, millets and vegetables will be marketed under this brand!

Best wishes to all the Kisan brothers and Akash’s team for the future endeavour . . . 

Source: Akash Badve, akashsbadave@gmail.com