Biodynamic farming is a holistic method of practicing organic agriculture to operate a farm as a closed self-nourishing system. It is the way to achieve a sustainable food system capable of feeding everyone in the face of globalization and infinite growth.
There is a steady increase in interest in Biodynamic agriculture in India, with more and more organic farmers practicing this form of agriculture throughout the country. Most of these farmers are formally certified and produce a broad range of crops including fruits, vegetables, grains, coffee, tea and spices. Biodynamic agriculture is also becoming popular among small farmers in India.
Farm as a single entity
Biodynamic agriculture treats the farm as a living system which interacts with the environment, to build healthy living soil, and to produce food that nourishes and vitalises and helps to develop humanity.
In some of its basic issues, Biodynamic agriculture is different from organic farming. Biodynamic farmers see the farm as a single entity which generates its own fertilizer and pest control mechanisms. Predators, parasites and other plethora of natural enemies of pests are used for pest control and chemical fertilisers are totally replaced by microbial (biological) nutrient givers such as bacteria, algae, fungi, mycorhiza, actinomycetes.
Based on astronomical calendar
This farming method also uses astronomical calendar to determine the right time for planting, cultivating and harvesting. Going beyond the influences of sun, weather and season, this system includes lunar, planetary and stellar constellations. This concept seems to be a concept which is readily accepted by Indian farmers since much of rural life is astrologically tuned. Every Biodynamic farmer is encouraged to find the most prominent cosmic patterns that influence his crops.
See video demonstrating how a biodynamic revolution is sweeping India.
