By Pijush Dutta, field assistance Romesh Mondal
Location, Krishi Mela, Panitor, North 24 Parganas
The following piece is part 2 of a set of farmer voices, where we try explore the kind of choices farmers are making, specifically to strengthen our perspectives on chemical free farming. The farmers interviewed in this piece were all participating in a Krishi Mela, or seed festival organised by Paschim Panitor Unnayan Samiti(PPUS).
Satyajit Sabar, a 19-year-old boy from the Sabar community in Purulia, shares his thoughts and experiences in this interview. The Sabar community, traditionally forest dwellers, has recently shifted its focus toward agriculture.
Interviewer: What is your name?
Interviewee: Satyajit Sabar.
Interviewer: Where do you stay?
Satyajit Sabar: I live in Fuljhore village in the Purulia district.
Interviewer: The Sabar community, are they traditionally associated with farming?
Satyajit Sabar: We Adivasis have traditionally been forest dwellers, living near forest areas. However, our organization, Pashchim Banga Kheria Kalyan Samity, introduced agriculture to us.
Interviewer: Are people in your community getting more involved in farming now?
Satyajit Sabar: Yes, many in our community are now successful farmers.
Interviewer: What do they mostly cultivate?
Satyajit Sabar: Tomatoes, brinjals, and almost all kinds of vegetables are grown in our region. Paddy is also cultivated on our land.
Interviewer: Do you or your family own any land?
Satyajit Sabar: Not everyone in our community owns land, but some do have small plots. Those with land cultivate their own plots and often lease additional land for farming.
Interviewer: Do you own land?
Satyajit Sabar: Yes, we own land.
Interviewer: How much land do you have?
Satyajit Sabar: About 15-16 decimals (0.15-0.16 acres).
Interviewer: Is it monoculture land?
Satyajit Sabar: No, we grow a variety of crops. Except for pointed gourd, almost all types of vegetables and crops are cultivated there.
Interviewer: Do you personally participate in farming?
Satyajit Sabar: I don’t farm directly, but my family members do. I help the elders with farming activities.
Interviewer: Does your family lease land for farming?
Satyajit Sabar: Yes, we lease additional land for farming.
Interviewer: How much does it cost to lease land?
Satyajit Sabar: It depends on the quality of the land, but I don’t have a clear idea of the exact cost.
Interviewer: You mentioned that the Sabar community was traditionally forest dwellers. When did they start farming?
Satyajit Sabar: I didn’t see farming when I was very young, but by the time I was about 10 or 11, I noticed people in our community engaging in agriculture.
Interviewer: How old are you now?
Satyajit Sabar: I’m 18-19 years old.
Interviewer: So farming in your community started about 7-8 years ago?
Satyajit Sabar: Yes, that’s correct.
Interviewer: Do you practice organic farming in your area?
Satyajit Sabar: Yes, organic farming is mostly practiced in our region.
Interviewer: There is a water crisis in Purulia. How do farmers deal with this issue?
Satyajit Sabar: To address the water crisis, some farmers cultivate land near rivers.
Interviewer: Considering the water scarcity, do farmers arrange shallow water pumps?
Satyajit Sabar: Not everyone can afford shallow pumps, so farmers often rely on dams for water.
Interviewer: What dams are present in your area?
Satyajit Sabar: There are several big and small dams, along with rivers.
Interviewer: Can you name the rivers in your area?
Satyajit Sabar: They are mostly small rivers.
Interviewer: Do people in your community still depend on forests?
Satyajit Sabar: Yes, we have a deep connection with the forest and depend on it for various resources.
Interviewer: Are more people shifting to farming, or are they still reliant on forests?
Satyajit Sabar: Most people are now actively participating in agriculture.
Interviewer: Is everyone practicing chemical-free farming?
Satyajit Sabar: Yes, most people practice organic farming. However, in rare cases of low production, they may resort to using chemicals.
Aparna Das, from Kalinagar Gram Panchayat, Ghoshpukur Village, Block Sandeshkhali 1 and Mousumi Maity Khamari from Sulkuni village, Bhabanipur Gram Panchayat 1, Hasnabad block present at the Itinda Panitor Seed Festival agreed to share their insights with us.
Interviewer: How long have you been associated with organic farming?
Aparna Das: We have been associated with organic farming since the time of our forefathers. However, as market demand increased, we had no other option but to depend on chemical fertilizers. Over time, we noticed a rise in various diseases, which we believe was linked to the growing reliance on chemicals.
Moreover, the cost of farming increased significantly, and we started losing control over our practices. Then, various organizations came to our village and promoted the benefits of organic farming. This encouraged many of us to return to organic methods. However, there’s still a challenge. Some farmers practice organic farming while others continue with chemical farming. Since there are no proper boundaries between fields, water from chemical farms flows into our organic plots, especially during the monsoon, causing damage.
Interviewer: Where do you live?
Aparna Das: I live in Kalinagar Gram Panchayat, Ghoshpukur village.
Interviewer: Is that in Sandeshkhali?
Aparna Das: Yes, it’s in Sandeshkhali 1 block.
Interviewer: What is your name?
Aparna Das: My name is Aparna Das.
Interviewer: As you were saying, water from chemical farming flows into your land?
Aparna Das: Yes, I practice organic farming, but during the monsoon, overflow from nearby chemical fields contaminates my crops. Otherwise, my farming is entirely chemical-free.
Interviewer: How much cultivable land do you have?
Aparna Das: Five bighas.
Interviewer: So, you don’t use any chemicals at all?
Aparna Das: No, I don’t use any chemicals.
Interviewer: What type of land do you cultivate?
Aparna Das: It’s double-cropping land.
Interviewer (to another farmer): How much land do you have?
Mousumi Maity Khamari: I have two bighas.
Interviewer: Where do you live?
Mousumi Maity Khamari: I live in Shulkuni village, Bhabanipur Gram Panchayat No. 1, under Hasnabad block.
Interviewer: Do you also practice organic farming?
Mousumi Maity Khamari: Yes.
Interviewer: Do you face the same issue as Aparna, with water from other fields flowing into yours?
Mousumi Maity Khamari: No, I cultivate on elevated land, so I don’t face that problem. Instead, water from my field flows into other fields.. (laughs)
Interviewer: Is there a difference in farming methods between elevated and lowland areas?
Mousumi Maity Khamari: Yes, definitely. The crops grown in lowlands are entirely different because waterlogging occurs there. We choose crops accordingly.
Aparna Das: In lowlands, crops like ‘Khejurchuri,’ ‘Niko,’ ‘Boyarbat,’ ‘Bonkumar,’ and ‘Hogla’ are grown. On elevated lands, we grow crops like ‘Dudheshwar,’ ‘Kaminibhog,’ and ‘Gobindabhog.’
Interviewer: Is the farming procedure different?
Aparna Das: Technically, the procedures are similar, but the crops differ. The duration also varies, some crops take four months to grow, while others take five.
Interviewer: Farmers seem to be moving away from farming. Do you agree?
Aparna Das: Absolutely. We’re struggling to sell our produce due to a lack of proper marketplaces. Despite our investment, we don’t make enough profit. This forces many people to leave farming and seek work outside the state. Women often accompany their families, taking up jobs like tailoring or working in bag factories.
Interviewer: Where do they go?
Aparna Das: They go to places like Tamil Nadu and Bangalore for work. They earn well, which helps them renovate their homes and improve their living conditions..
Interviewer: Do you or your family also go outside the state?
Aparna Das: No, we don’t. But many people in our area do.
Interviewer: The farming methods your forefathers used must have changed significantly, right?
Aparna Das: Yes, they have.
Interviewer: Can you explain this shift?
Aparna Das: In the past, our forefathers planted one seedling at a time, and the crops grew well. The sheaves were thick. But now, due to unpredictable monsoons, we can’t follow that method. Sometimes we plant seeds early, sometimes late, depending on the rainfall.
Additionally, we often have to pump water from underground. Earlier, they simply scattered seeds on the ground and left them to grow. But if we do that now, heavy rains wash the seeds away or sink them.
Interviewer: What is the importance of indigenous seeds?
Aparna Das: Indigenous seeds can withstand water pressure better. Chemically developed hybrid seeds can’t, they get damaged easily. Organic crops, on the other hand, survive harsh conditions.
Interviewer: Then why don’t all farmers switch to organic farming?
Aparna Das: There are several reasons. Fewer households keep cows now, and without cows, it’s difficult to produce organic fertilizers. The population is increasing, but cultivable land is shrinking. Earlier, families cultivated five bighas of land, now, it’s often just one bigha. These factors make organic farming challenging for many.
Interviewer: Thank you so much to both of you.
During the seed festival, the organizers planned to honor successful farmers who rely entirely on organic farming. One such farmer, Arizul Islam Molla, a man in his mid-30s, was among those felicitated. We had the opportunity to interview him, gaining insights into his perspective on organic farming practices.
Interviewer: What is your name?
Interviewee: My name is Arizul Islam Molla.
Interviewer: You have been felicitated here. How do you feel?
Arizul Islam Molla (Smiles): It feels good.
Interviewer: How much land do you own?
Arizul Islam Molla: I own 5–6 bighas of land.
Interviewer: Do you practice organic farming on all your land?
Arizul Islam Molla: I prefer organic farming. Most of my land is used for it. I’m slowly working to eliminate chemical farming to ensure the future generations are not affected by the harmful effects of chemicals. My goal is to transition completely to organic farming.
Interviewer: Could you tell us how much of your land is used for organic farming and how much for chemical farming?
Arizul Islam Molla: Currently, 3 bighas of my land are used for organic farming.
Interviewer: Most farmers are still reluctant to adopt organic farming. Why do you think this is the case?
Arizul Islam Molla: Although the cost of organic farming is relatively low, the yield is not as high. Still, I believe it’s important for the future generations to embrace organic farming. We need to be aware of the harmful effects of chemical farming.
Interviewer: Is the next generation in your family showing interest in farming?
Arizul Islam Molla: Yes, they are. Since we own land, farming is our primary option. We cannot leave the land unused; it has to serve agricultural purposes.
Interviewer: Many people are moving away from farming and opting for other kinds of work. Why do you think this is happening?
Arizul Islam Molla: Farming requires a lot of hard work, and many people aren’t willing to put in the effort. They prefer more leisure time and want to avoid the daily struggles that come with farming.
Interviewer: Have you observed this trend in your village? Are people moving away from farming?
Arizul Islam Molla: Yes, I’ve noticed that many from the younger generation are leaving farming. They are taking up small jobs or businesses instead.
Interviewer: Do they leave the state for work?
Arizul Islam Molla: Yes, many of them move out of the state to find work.
Interviewer: As a farmer, what would you say about the future of farming?
Arizul Islam Molla: Farming can provide a good income. However, farmers need to save and reinvest their earnings to ensure future growth.
Interviewer: Farming methods have changed significantly since your forefathers’ time, haven’t they?
Arizul Islam Molla: Yes, there have been major changes in farming methods.
Interviewer: Could you elaborate on this shift?
Arizul Islam Molla: My grandfather and uncles used chemical fertilizers extensively. Now, we make and use organic fertilizers, and the results have been positive.
Interviewer: Are you associated with any NGOs?
Arizul Islam Molla: No, I am not associated with any NGOs.
Interviewer: Has this seed festival been beneficial for you in any way?
Arizul Islam Molla: Not yet. They informed us about the festival and mentioned they might provide financial assistance or seeds. That’s why we’re here.
Observations:
The Itinda Panitor Seed Festival created a platform for farmers to come together and discuss the future of farming, particularly emphasizing the importance of organic farming. During the event, we interviewed four farmers, each offering unique perspectives.
Satyajit Sabar shared insights into his community, the Sabar tribe from Purulia. According to him, the economic and social conditions of the Sabars are highly unfavorable. Most members of the community do not own land and work as agricultural laborers. However, Satyajit’s family is relatively better off as they own land and also lease additional land for farming.
Satyajit expressed greater faith in farming as a sustainable source of income for the Sabars, compared to reliance on forest resources. His views align with findings from the paper “The Revival of the Tribal Community by the Concept of S.M.A.R.T. Village: A Case of the Sabar Tribe of Jharkhand, India” (Nazish Abid, Mazharul Haque, and Mohd. Resaal Ansari, June 2022). The paper highlights the socio-economic struggles of the Sabars, noting that they primarily depend on forest resources and lack access to basic amenities such as shelter, sanitation, and water supply.
Additionally, an article by the Keystone Foundation sheds light on the land ownership issues faced by the Kheria Sabar community, stating: “The Sabar families only own the land on which their homes are located. Most don’t even have enough land for small kitchen gardens. All surrounding agricultural lands belong to members of the Santal and Bhumij communities.”
The women farmers’ stall at the festival provided valuable insights into the conditions of farmers in the Sandeshkhali and Hasnabad blocks. Aparna Das, who owns five bighas of land, appeared to be in a better economic position than Mousumi Maity Khamari, who owns only two bighas. Aparna was also more vocal and confident during the interview compared to Mousumi.
Aparna shared detailed information about the evolution of farming practices over the years and explained the differences in crops grown on lowland versus elevated land. Both women highlighted the challenges farmers face, including migration in search of work and the inability of markets to support organic farmers effectively.
Arizul Islam Molla, one of the awardees at the seed festival, expressed optimism about the future of farming. He firmly believes that the future lies in organic farming rather than chemical-based agriculture.
Jaladarsha 