He said in order to maintain and increase the population of earthworms and microorganisms, mulching is very important.
Palekar said a natural law is working in this universe and that is the survival of the fittest. (SNS)
Padma Shree awardee Subhash Palekar on Saturday shared the importance of indigenous earthworms in natural farming and said they are involved in the supply of nutrients from the deep soil layer to the surface in the form of secretions.
“In this way, the earthworms are working continuously for 24 hours a day. This process increases the fertility of the soil,” he said during a training programme on Subhash Palekar Natural Farming (SPNF) underway at CSK Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya for farmers.
He said in order to maintain and increase the population of earthworms and microorganisms, mulching is very important. The training session from 5-10 June is organised by the Department of Agriculture under Prakritik Kheti Khushal Kissan Yojna.
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Palekar said a natural law is working in this universe and that is the survival of the fittest.
“Under this law, the weak species of plant die naturally and the healthy plants survive in the nature, so that the biodiversity sustain,” said Palekar.
Talking about the methods of mulching, he said with the help of soil mulching we can increase soil aeration and control the weeds. He said only 4.5 inch top layer of the soil has 88-92 per cent of the microorganisms and 95 per cent micro root hair which makes humus.
He said that the tilling of soil has the main objective of water conservation and weed control. 4.5 inch of soil has the maximum flora and fauna and it is like reserve bank of microorganism so we should not plough the soil below 4.5 inch.
Around 900 farmers, along with Agriculture Officers participated in the programme. Vice Chancellor Jammu Agriculture University Prof KS Rasam and Joint Director of Agriculture North Zone Dharamshala Dr NK Badhan were also present.
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