(NaturalNews) Despite all the claims made by industry-funded hacks that
genetically-modified organisms (GMOs) and other industrial agricultural
methods are necessary for the future of humanity, it is the traditional
growing methods that continue to shine through as the real sustainers of
life. As reported by Gaia Health, Indian rice farmers using
traditional, organic growing methods are achieving yields far higher
than farmers using more modern methods.
In the case of Sumant
Kumar, rice yields have surpassed the national average per hectare
(about 2.5 acres) nearly ten-fold. According to reports, Kumar is
currently yielding about 22.4 tons of rice per hectare, greatly
surpassing that of other rice farms currently outputting roughly 2.3
tons per hectare. His secret? A traditional crop management protocol
known as System of Root Intensification, or SRI.
Farmers adhering
to SRI techniques will typically plant about half the number of seeds
as farmers using more modern methods, and will space them out at
intervals of about 10 inches. They also plant their seeds much younger,
and keep the soil dryer, while paying much closer attention to weed
growth. By hand-removing weeds, SRI farmers are able to allow more water
and nutrients to feed their rice plants, which results in significantly
higher yields.
"Farmers use less seeds, less water and less
chemicals but they get more without having to invest more," says Dr.
Surendra Chaurassa, agriculture minister to the region where Kumar's farm is located, as quoted by The Observer.
"This is revolutionary. I did not believe it to start with, but now I
think it can potentially change the way everyone farms. I would want
every state to promote it. If we get 30 to 40 percent increase in yields, that is more than enough to recommend it."
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