Sustainable agriculture

The term sustainability has gained increasing acceptance in the modern world. It is defined as the goal of achieving a sustainable planet, one that will accommodate the basic needs of its present inhabitants while preserving the resources that will enable future generations to flourish. Sustainable Agriculture describes farming systems that are "capable of maintaining their productivity and usefulness to society indefinitely. Such systems must be resource-conserving, socially supportive, commercially competitive, and environmentally sound." Sustainable agriculture is the use of farming systems and practices which satisfy human food and fiber needs

• maintain or enhance the economic viability of agricultural production and farm operations
• enhance environmental quality and the natural resource-base upon which the agricultural economy depends
• maintain other ecosystems which are influenced by agricultural activities
• enhance the quality of life for farmers and society as a whole

PBVM activities on Agriculture

Agriculture is one of the prime agenda of the science movements led by PBVM. Since its formation the organization launched a thorough campaign programme for rational use of inorganic fertilizers, pesticides, insecticides as well as to make aware of the farmers for better use of agriculture science and technology. In early 90's the science activists of the state used Soil Testing Kits, developed by the scientists of the state to encourage the farmer to test their soil before application of fertilizer. PBVM workers are also devoting to launch Integrated Pest and Nutrient Management Programme (IPNM) with the help of state Agriculture technologists and scientists. PBVM made people aware on Friend and Enemy pests through the awareness programme of eco-friendly agriculture.

Establishment of 'Krishi Paramarshadan Kendra' (farmers' service center) in different districts at the block level is another remarkable drive of the PBVM. The farmers of a village will sit together accompanied by the local Panchayat, leaders of the farmers organization, agriculture technologists not only to solve different field problems but also to plan the mode of agriculture production by exchanging and utilizing farmers own experiences - is the basic philosophy and principle of this centers as framed by PBVM. The aims and target of these centers are outlined as follows:

• To generate and explore the inherent knowledge of the farming community.
• To provide modern science and technology knowledge to the farming community and to explore their rationality of use for the real benefit of the farmer.
• To successful use of IPNM
• To conserve and preserve local resources e.g. plant/crop diversity, genetic resources, by the active participation of rural people.
• To encourage the farmers for organic farming, self help production and use of vermi-compost, organic compost, bio-control measures, bio-fertilizer, bio-pesticides etc.
• To minimize the cost of cultivation by different approaches.