Cross-post in response to George's letter. Keith
Date: Sat, 2 Mar 2002 19:58:19 +0530 From: Maple Organics <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: Low input vs. high input organic systems To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Dear Keith, I really enjoyed going through the letter which you pasted along with your mail. It is a typical reply we get in India as well. I could share with you our response to the farmers. 1. We suggest slow and gradual transition to Organic from chemical farming, say 20-25% per cropping cycle. This would ensure that the yield will not come down drastically. 2. For crops like Corn, which need high amount of Nitrogen (C4 family), we suggest that you make compost out of the crop residue and try and supplement the same with organic matter like chicken waste, lentil waste etc which have high amount of Nitrogen. This generally gives N of about 6-7% in the final compost. 3. Carry out intercropiing with things like Alfa-alfa, Stylo, Soya beans etc. We recommend that these plants could be sown on the sides or even along with the main crops. 4. If enough organic matter in the form of crop residue etc is available, then one could think of mulching as well. It might cost the first cropping time, but becomes sustainable later. 5. If cow dung is available, then excellent, but it is not mandatory that you do need cows. You could make very good compost with what ever organic matter one has, be it plant waste only. C:N ratio is an old paradigm now. Hope my basic inputs help you in your work. Sanjay Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Please do NOT send "unsubscribe" messages to the list address. To unsubscribe, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
