The common question raising in India from the followers of organic
farming is that , if the organic farming is possible in cuba why we can’t
follow that . But the proponents usually forget the difference in the
area and population. Cuba is a small country having three times of the
area of kerala and having one by third population of kerala. Density of
population in kerala is an average of 859/ sq.mtr and in cuba it is only
102. Since the population of Cuba is so limited they can follow any
agriculture method. But they are also using genetically modified crops
and developed seeds.
Petroleum and fertilizers
Another argument raising against fertilizers is that petroleum reserve
in the world is limited and going to an end. Want to find an alternative
for the fertilizers. But in reality naphtha is using only to manufacture
nitrogen based fertilizers. It is using only as a source to provide
cheaper hydrogen for manufacture of ammonia. Since there are so
many other natural sources of Hydrogen the availability of naphtha is
not going to effect the manufacture of the fertilizers.
Even now no petroleum based by products are using to manufacture
potassium and phosphorus.
Over simplification of the real issues
Small scale farmers are not able to live with their income so lot of
farmers are forced to leave agriculture. Globalisation- liberalistion
policies and the market trends are the real issues facing by the
farmers. But the developed countries and supporters are using
alternative farming methods to demystify the farmers.Due to the
green revolution and modern agriculture method the carrying capacity
of the developing countries have been increased. But the artificial
increase destroyed the base of the natural resources.
Friends of Scientifica,
October
2016