Evaluation of Inhana Rational Farming (IRF) Technology as an Effective Organic Option for Large Scale Paddy Cultivation in Farmer’s Field – A Case Study from Kowgachi-II Gram Panchayat, North 24 Parganas, West Bengal

Summary

Comparative study of Chemical (Farmer’s Practice) and Organic (under Inhana Rational Farming Technology developed by visionary scientist, Dr. P. Das Biswas, Founder, Inhana Biosciences, Kolkata) aman paddy (rainfed) cultivation was conducted at farmers’ field under large scale production in Mathurapur village, Kowgachi-II Gram Panchayat, North 24 Parganas of West Bengal during crop year 2012 – 2013. Farmers from the village volunteered in the programme under encouragement from local gram panchyat towards hand on experience regarding effectivity of organic farming system in paddy. Compost was prepared locally using Novcom composting (Developed by Inhana Biosciences) method by the project farmers taking poultry litter as raw material. Well matured compost was prepared (as indicated by brownish colour and earthy smell) within 20 days. Analysis of compost quality as per standard guideline confirmed its high quality. Total nutrient content (NPK) was varied from 3.86 to 4.74 percent (on dry weight basis) with microbial population in the range of 1016 c.f.u per gram moist compost; which was significantly higher than reference value as obtained for poultry compost. CO2 evolution rate (mean 2.74 mgCO2 – C/g OM/day) and phytotoxicity bioassay test value (mean 0.82) tallied with ideal standard range, confirming the maturity and non- phytotoxicity of the compost. Aman (rain fed) Paddy (Oriza sativa) variety Khitish and Minikit -3654 were used for the study. These two varieties were taken considering their common usage by the farmers of the Block. Seeds of Khitish variety were sourced from Gram Panchayat as provided by Government of West Bengal, while Minikit-3654 was sourced as foundation seed developed by Monduri Farm, BCKV, State Agricultural University, West Bengal, India. Agronomic components in terms of numbers of tillers/hill, productive panicles/m2, filled grains/panicle and 1000 grains weight (g) of organically grown paddy was comparatively higher than conventionally grown paddy and its cumulative effect was considered in terms of total yield under two different management systems. In case of paddy variety Minikit- 3654 yield under organic practice (i.e., Inhana Rational Farming Technology) varied from 3375 kg/ha to 4125 kg/ha with average value of 3750 kg/ha while 3000 kg/ha to 3750 kg/ha with mean value of 3563 kg/ha under conventional chemical practice. In case of Khitish variety yield under organic (i.e. under Inhana Rational Farming) was almost at par to chemical farming practice and varied from 3750 kg/ha to 4500 kg/ha with a mean value of 4125 kg/ha. Nutrient Use Efficiency (NUE) in terms of partial factor productivity (PFP) was higher in case of Khitish variety in comparison to Minikit-3654 irrespective of the practice undertaken. However, in both cases, nutrient use efficiency (NUE) was higher under organic practice which may be due to better N mineralization from Novcom compost as well as better N uptake efficiency of the plants under IRF Plant Management Package. This is perhaps significant because the nutrient availability is considered as a limiting factor under organic soil management particularly under waterlogged condition and in the soil which has been applied with synthetic fertilizers for many years. In terms of soil quality development, organic package of practice has shown positive indication towards enhancement of soil quality component like soil pH, available NPK and specially soil microflora enhancement where as under conventional practice no such variations were noted. There is higher net income in case of Minikit variety but as the cost of cultivation under Inhana Rational Farming being is almost similar to chemical farming practice, there is potential for further higher net income if the produce is sold at even 10 percent premium price as organic item. The technology has most convincingly demonstrated its potential to ensure successful organic paddy cultivation in the most cost- effective manner and can definitely bring about economic prosperity among the farming community if adopted on a further larger scale. Significantly all these results were achieved in the very first year of application. The ecological and social cost of industrial agriculture, if considered; then this performance certainly promises clear potential towards sustainable organic cultivation for resource poor and marginal farmers.