Around 100 farmers in Phulbari VDC of Chitwan have switched to homemade organic and compost fertilizers. [break]
"I have been using organic fertilizers for the past two decades when I stopped using chemical fertilizers," said Chandra Prasad Adhikari, a farmer in Phulbari VDC of Chiwan. In the beginning, Adhikari was alone to pursue organic farming. Things have changed now, more than 100 famers in his village have quit using chemical fertilizers realizing the benefits of organic and compost fertilizers.
With the rising number of farmers adopting organic farming, an organic farmers´ cooperative was formed in the village a decade ago to facilitate the farmers.
A total of 127 farmers, who are farming in around 120 bigaha of land, are associated with the cooperative.
"Unlike chemical fertilizer that shows immediate effect but leaves long term adverse impact in the farm, organic fertilizers give manifold benefits in the long run," said Adhikari.
Similarly, farmers are also pursing organic methods to kill pests in their farms."We are using cow urine, Pati and Neem as pesticides besides traditional snares to control pests," said Adhikari.
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