Interview on Organic farming in Tibetan Settlements, India

Mr. Riccardo Bianchi’s questions to Prof. Rinpoche on Organic farming in Tibetan Settlements are as below:

Q: I knew by the Italian NGO COSPE that in the 2002, after His Holiness the Dalai Lama proposed it, every settlement introduced biological farming, giving all chemical fertilizers or pesticides up.What difficulties and problems did this choice bring with itself, and what did Tibetans do to solve them? And what are the positives aspects and sides?

Answer: First of all, I would like to clarify that the Kashag(Cabinet) has proposed this project which was endorsed by the Parliament-in-exile and approved by His Holiness the Dalai Lama in 2002.

The Tibetan Agricultural Settlements in India has been engaged in chemical based farming since the inception of the settlements in India. As a result of this farming practice for the last 30 to 40 years, the direct implications were reduction in the crop yield, higher inputs of fertilizer – thereby rise in costs, degradation of soil fertility. Because of above factors, farming was no longer a profitable business option. And above all, the excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides destroys the environment, contaminates the ground water and has adverse effect on the health of inhabitants. The solution, therefore, to overcome these problems, the Central Tibetan Administration has adopted the Sustainable Organic Farming Policy.

The Tibetan settlers in the agricultural settlements were enthusiastic about this new policy and are very forthcoming. But there are several obstacles being faced by the farmers in this process:

1. Since the use of biomass and varieties of composts is a part of Organic farming, the manual work is very intensive compare to chemical farming. Families with enough manpower can manage the organic farming far better than those without much manpower. And to rely on outside labor is expensive as well as is scarce.

2. Reduction in crop yield during the conversion period is greater in comparison with chemical farming. The farmers need to be compensated in terms of basic requirement, technical guidance and subsidies as well.

3. There are problems with the marketing of organic products produced by the farmers. The farmers cannot produce enough quantities of organic products to be able to get good market.

The positive aspect of this policy is that, the organic farming is sustainable in the long run. The environment will be protected through the banning of all forms of chemicals use in the soil. The health of the people will improved through the consumption of organic food.

Q: How did it change Tibetans life?

Answer: At present, there is no dramatic change happening as yet. We have just started out but our initiative will definitely symbolize Tibetan farmers in India as organic farmers and producer of organic foods in India. The practice of organic farming is putting non-violence at work which as a Buddhist we believe highly in preserving the ecological balance. The potential of organic farming is full of hope because through organic farming, the poor farmers will gain self-sufficiency through use of bio-manure, natural compost and indigenous seeds. The farmers will no longer be depended on various high-cost fertilizers, hybrid seeds, pesticides.

Q: How did this choice help to conserve Tibetan culture, traditions and national feeling?

Answer: The purpose of introducing this new policy of organic farming in the Tibetan settlements in India is to make the settlements viable and sustainable in the long run. The Tibetan people can remain in their settlements if the settlements are viable to them. As a community, we will be able to better conserve our tradition, culture and national identity – the vibrancy of which is evident in these settlements.

Q: Do you think that other government or people could take the same choice for their agricultural policy? If yes, what should they do?

Answer: There are already a number of Indian States and numerous NGOs and private firms engaged with the organic farming.

In order to strengthen the sustainable organic farming by individual farmers and a good market for organic products, the Government must put less restriction on export of food products by individual farmers. The issuance of export licenses must be made easier for individual farmers or Cooperative Societies. The cost of organic certification should be reduced and be made affordable to farmers. Facilities such as cold storage system be made available to farmers at docks, airports etc.

Local organic product markets needs to be strengthened through farmer(producet) to consumer direct contacts without the involvement of middleman, sharing of organic farming technologies/knowledge between amongst farmers and Cooperatives, Cooperative societies should take on more responsibilities with the marketing of organic products produced by its members to encourage as many farmers converting to organic farming.

Q: Nowadays do settlements produce enough to feed all Tibetans on exile in India and all those who every day escapes from Tibet to live there? Anyway, what else do they need by the international community?

Answer: It is difficult to say whether the Tibetan settlements produce enough to feed all the Tibetans in-exile and those who come from Tibet because; the Tibetan agricultural settlements not just cultivate cereal crops but also other cash crops such as maize and cotton. Most of the crops cultivated in the settlements are marketed outside the community. And food grains, oil and other essential commodities that we consume daily are directly purchased from the markets.

Implementing the Sustainable Organic Farming Policy is well-planned path of creating a sustainable and viable Tibetan community in exile. We need international support and economic grant to make our settlements viable through other development projects.