Think about your school textbooks, do you remember some section that said “There are three main types of activities that humans do” ? The three main activities are primary, secondary and tertiary activities. Primary is agriculture and raw work, Secondary is manufacturing using raw stuff, Territory is service providence.
We all have been taught through our schooling that Humankind’s primary work is and always was “Agriculture”. We see little variations here and there, like technology being used as a helping hand, but agriculture is a field that has been constant for a long time now. Today here we are gonna talk about a type of farming that has been practiced from as early as the 1650s. It is known as Seaweed farming.
Seaweeds are millions of species of algae found in the sea. It is macroscopic marine algae. Algae is an informal term for a diverse group of photosynthetic eukaryotes(organisms). Seaweed is consumed across the world, it can also be used to produce edible packaging.
Seaweed Edible Packaging
Seaweed farming is a part process of Algaculture, that is agriculture of algae. Seaweed is macro-algae, that means they can be seen with naked eyes. Thus we can actually create farms in an ocean, sounds fictional right ?
If you think seaweed is used just in Asian dishes like sushi, think again. It can be found in almond milk, baby food and lotion. Kelp is used in making, animal feed, medicine, fertilizer and even in your beer.
The commercial seaweed market size could surpass $85 billion by 2026, according to Global Market Insights. Seaweed farmer Bren Smith says all one needs to start the business is $20,000, 20 acres and a boat, and that investment in a single seaweed farm can net up to $90,000 to $120,000 per year.
Here’s why the global demand for seaweed is expected to boom in the coming years.
Sustainable
Seaweed farming
Seaweed farming needs no fresh water, no fertilizer and no feed. All these traits make this farming one of the most sustainable farming methods out there. This method of food creation not only requires less inputs but also absorbs carbon and nitrogen from the environment and rebuilds reef systems underwater.
Kelp is not only good with maintaining sea life it is also useful and sustainable in other ways too. Research shows that around 50 to 80% of the total environment oxygen supply comes from seaweed, that is nothing but plants in seas. It is a good biofuel also as it is photosynthetic.
Cows produce a lot of methane. That is a greenhouse gas. It was found by a university that adding a small amount of kelp to the diet of cows can help minimise the Green house gases.
Abundance
There are almost ten thousand types of kelps (seaweeds) in water. This makes it abundant in variety and accessibility. It can also be seen as an alternative for Overfishing. Which is a decline of fish in water bodies because of excessive fishing by humans.
Kelp will help in better balancing the life ecosystem in the seas and outside. That is the reason some people even like to call it “Restorative ocean farming” as it helps rejuvenate sea life.
Usability Factor
As mentioned earlier, seaweed is super useful in many forms and ways, like you can actually list them. It is used in almond milk, baby food, lotion, animal feed, medicine, fertilizer and even in your beer. Kelp is used as additives, dental moulds, wound dressing, dispersing and thickening agents in soups and other personal care products.
McDonalds even went one step forward and made a seaweed styled burger. Packaging the burger as a lighter burger. That is super light in calories, containing about 91% less calories. The burger stayed on the menu for 5 long years.
McDonalds Seaweed Burger
However we discussed some pros or advantages for seaweed farming, it would not be justified if we don’t point out the few negatives or cons of alga-culture.
Overhead Costs
The overhead costs of setting up a seaweed farm is quite much and can be hard for someone to adapt to it quickly. As we see a rise in the number of people getting intrigued by this way of farming and the increase in the number of sea farmers, we hope that this cost will be lowered in the upcoming time.
The Seaweed Squad – India
There lives a group of women in southern India’s Rameshwaram involved in seaweed culture forming probably the first Women seaweed squad. Under the coastal disaster coastal risk reduction project the government was trained to cultivate seaweed. The project was funded by World bank and focused on increasing sustainability and opening floodgates of opportunities for womenfolk in the region.
Widows and single women are prioritized to form self help groups for initiation. This is surely a welcoming indicator. It made them independent and confident. This instance shows that India can be seen as a popular landmark for seaweed farming. Watch video below to know more,
Conclusion
The World is excited about this method and it is expected to be a boom in future. Seaweed doesn’t need fresh water, doesn’t need soil, doesn’t need farming or even fertilizer. It absorbs carbon dioxide while releasing oxygen. It is nutrient-dense and fast-growing, Moreover supports communities built around coasts.
Whether seaweed will be the future of farming or not, it is yet to be seen. The method may be old and sustainable but it is yet to be accepted and welcomed throughout the world. It is already one of the fastest growing sources of food.
It will have to face resistance from communities around the globe(as it is a new way to look at farming for many) and eventually pass with good grades. What we can say for sure at this point of time is that it definitely has scope, good potential and value addition. It entails all the qualities of a good resource.
FAQ
Is seaweed farming environmentally friendly?
Yes, Seaweed is the most sustainable form of agriculture on the planet.
Is seaweed easy to farm?
Seaweeds relatively simple to farm, they require no feed, they grow fast, they reduce eutrophication, they absorb carbon, they are simple to harvest, and the culture equipment is cheap and simple.
Is there growing seaweed profitable?
All one needs to start in the business is $20,000, 20 acres and a boat, and that investment in a single seaweed farm can net up to $90,000 to $120,000 per year.
Starting with something new has always been a fascinating idea. Especially when you are about to start something exclusively for you and your family then it comes with a layer of responsibility since you have to think widely about the positive outcome that they will be expecting from your venture.
Now, if you are looking to giving organic farming in India a kick start, then there are few things you might need to keep in the mind and at times make your family understand your ideas and convince them so you could accommodate their trust and support as a whole. But before you try and enlighten others, make sure you have enough knowledge with you so you don’t sound confused while answering their doubts.
Organic farming in India is a wide-spread strategy for yielding food crops and livestock that includes significantly more than picking the idea of not utilizing fertilizers, pesticides, genetically altered organisms, antibiotics, and growth hormones.
Organic Farming in India
Organic farming in India is a comprehensive framework intended to enhance the profitability and wellness of various networks inside the agro-environment, including soil organisms, plants, animals, and individuals. The chief objective of organic farming in India is to create ventures that are reasonable and sustainable for the environment.
Organic farming in India is an agrarian strategy that involves utilizing organic information sources and essentially diminishing the measure of synthetic substances. This method of farming also includes no usage of growth hormones in any way that it brings about decreased contamination and soil corruption.
In this way, the food we consume post-production becomes healthier and we get the absolute fresh and natural things to eat. Not to mention if you are diet conscious or a fitness freak then you must be an admirer of the all-natural way of producing food and consuming them.
Basics of Organic Farming
People often perceive things in a different way. What one person involved in organic farming in India believes is correct, trusts in, and practices probably won’t suit the prerequisites and objectives of another person who is also into organic farming in India. As a rule, quickly executing the informal advice can be counterproductive. Therefore, learning the basics of natural and organic farming in India is the initial phase. This certainly gives traces of what one may expect and where one ought to be beginning from. It is useful to infuse resources into pre-hand research.
Organic farming is growing
Additionally, it is also crucial to be attached to discussions with individuals who are presently doing the business. Partake in organic farming in India training projects and farmer-meet-up conferences. The experience of another farmer who already had gone through a similar phase can be extremely useful in making the exploratory process more polished.
The internet too has an enormous function as there is a huge playlist of instructional exercises, recordings, and online discussions about Organic farming in India. You might also get several books talking about organic farming in India as well. You can stay updated with the latest news related to the most recent patterns in organic farming in India, its advantages, and furthermore its significance with the assistance of OFAI (Organic Farming Association of India) — One of the biggest network of organic farmers in India.
Also, there is NPOF – the National Project on Organic Farming is, indeed, an extraordinary stage for all the organic farmers in Hyderabad to associate with a differing set of similar people container India.
Volume of your Venture
If you are undertaking organic farming for your weekend schedule, you could start in your backyard or terrace. Many of the working experts across the country have begun seeking organic farming in India as of their minor perspective with controlled agricultural techniques that are less labor-oriented.
However, in case you live in a gated community where this idea is shared among many like-minded individuals, a plot inside your locale can be distributed to make smaller than normal organic farms at a more prominent frequency. If you want to change your passion into a profession then you might need more prominent arrangements and a large-scale investment as well.
Selecting Site for Farming
The location of your venture plays an imperative part in any venture to be successful. The area of your organic farming in India typically decides how the endeavor will turn out. The organic farming site ought to be close to a clean water source: water is the most important asset for crop development and health.
In case, your water source is far away, it is significantly harder to deal with the irrigation measures. As an initiation, this might seem to be a monotonous thought to make but on the other hand, is essential for effective working on your farm.
The closeness of the organic farming area to the commercial center adds a major function in the manageability of the farm. The farm’s closeness to the market includes easy communication for selling. Likewise, this helps spare costs while shipping materials to the farm.
Soil is considered to be the foundation base of your farm. Starting from its appearance, well-being, and equalization everything is responsible for the production result. Therefore, it essentially becomes important to get when and how to develop your soil and make the most ideal condition for your harvests to endure and flourish.
Soil is essential- Organic farming in India
Things to Consider
Here are some things you need to consider before starting your farm.
1. Cultivation Time
Not everything will grow every time you put them under the soil and expect them to yield. So need to have a track of time and know which time is suitable for what step you will take.
Spring (February to April) – Best suitable for preparing the soil for new plantation.
Fall(October to November) – Suitable for the purpose of covering and layering the organic matter from your farm on the top-soil.
2. Analyse Your Soil
Clay or dense soil – Retains a lot of water and is preferable season is the fall, for utilizing the moisture-rich soil effectively.
Loose or sandy soil – Lower in water retention and is advisable to cultivate during the spring to add the suitable moisture-retention and to create a good ecosystem for your farm.
3. Types Of Crops
Deep-rooted crops – Drought resistance as the roots are capable of drawing a high amount of water from within. For instance, tomatoes, pulses, melons, and coarse cereals fall under this.
Shallow Rooted Crops – Higher dependency of water supply and requires continuous hydration. Monsoon is the best season for these crops. For instance, corn, cabbage, cauliflower, and mustard are the perfect ones.
4. Organic Manure
Green Manure – Green fertilizer helps in fostering a superior soil structure and the richness of the soil. They provide organic matter, an extra measure of Nitrogen, particularly if you are going for vegetable cultivation.
Compost – New deposits from the farm and household residues can be accumulated, saturated, and turn to get aerated at times and deteriorate steadily by reducing the Carbon: Nitrogen proportion.
The way toward growing a crop is very time-consuming. Organic farming in India requires some serious devotion and more consideration contrasted with regular cultivating. There are sure procedures that should be considered relying upon the plant and farm condition.
Understanding the Market
Marketing for any startup is a pivotal process to grow. Even in farming, it is imperative to know what sort of market you will need. to provide a good increase. Some horticultural items may not make a good sell in a specific sort of market. This thought is useful in making your venture sustainable.
The growth of organic food sale
While the consequences of organic farming may appear to be alluring, the way toward setting up and keeping up the farm is an extremely hard one. It takes difficult work, tolerance, perseverance, and a high level of confidence. If you need assistance, refer to InAcres — a team of devoted individuals with a goal to promote and produce integrated organic farming in India and there is Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) — another team that fosters the pursuit of involving eco-friendly ecosystems all around the country.
There is a huge downside because of the extra land that is being used to grow organic crops,” said Stefan Wirsenius, an associate professor at Chalmers. “If we use more land for food, we have less land for carbon sequestration. The total greenhouse gas impact from organic farming is higher than conventional farming.”
What is organic farming and its benefits?
Compared with conventional agriculture, organic farming uses fewer pesticides, reduces soil erosion, decreases nitrate leaching into groundwater and surface water, and recycles animal wastes back into the farm. These benefits are counterbalanced by higher food costs for consumers and generally lower yields.
Is Organic Farming Profitable in India?
According to International Fund for Agriculture and Development (IFAD), India has more than 15,000 certified organic farms. Organic farms are generally more profitable and environmentally friendly, as it uses fewer chemicals and the residue is comparatively less chemical-intensive.
How can I start organic farming in India?
Things You Need to Know When Starting an Organic Farm
Learn the basics of organic farming.
The site is key.
Match the land with what it is best for.
Know your market.
Prepare the soil and make good compost.
Take care of what you plant.
Seek a mentor and network with people.
Seek a mentor and network with people.
Why Organic farming is expensive?
Organic foods are difficult to grow as they need high involvement and more time to grow. Moreover, lower yields of such crops and poor supply (still developing) chain further increases the production cost.
What are disadvantages of organic farming?
Disadvantages of organic farming
Organic food is more expensive because farmers do not get as much out of their land as conventional farmers do.
Production costs are higher because farmers need more workers.
Marketing and distribution are not efficient because organic food is produced in smaller amounts.
Is organic farming difficult?
Some areas are natively organic, but others that are large producers of pulses etc., have been farming with chemicals. Converting these into organic has many challenges, however, from a broader perspective, these challenges can be met with proper counter-measures and government policies.
Conclusion
Farming these days is done by putting people’s lives at risk with harmful pesticides and fertilizers. The main problem is the population growth in India. As the population increases, the demand and supply for foods are also increased. To cater to the needs, food production is done by using chemical fertilizers, toxic pesticides, and hybrids. Due to the excess use of chemicals, human health and nature are being adversely affected. To solve this issue, Organic Farming is the best possible solution to protect ourselves and nature from deadly chemicals.
Organic farming is a traditional way of farming that has been followed for ages. In India, organic farming is an agricultural method that is aimed to grow crops so as to keep the soil alive. It is done by following good practices using organic waste, waste crops, animal and farm waste, aquatic waste, and other organic materials.
Michelle D’souza
