Organic Farming Association of India

Pradeep Nikam’ Farm

admin — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 06:54:37 +0000

o promote nature-friendly, scientific, farming systems and practices that are economically viable, energy efficient and oriented towards the conservation of the environment and the empowerment of rural communities, building upon indigenous and traditional knowledge, skills and practices. It will aim to help organize farm-households and families engaged in organic farming and connected activities lies into a recognizable entity that will effectively represent their interests at local, state, regional and national levels.

Nandish farm

admin — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 06:48:15 +0000

The Organic Farming Association of India (OFAI) is the country’s only organization of grassroots organic farmers. Since Indian agriculture continues to remain a source of livelihood for mostly small farmers and peasants, OFAI membership reflects this ground reality as w

New Living Field Issue 9

admin — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 06:19:55 +0000

OFAI is also committed to active involvement of women farmers in the decision-making structures of the association. Such involvement is mandatory and reflected in the organisation’s bye-laws.

The association – which is registered under the Indian Societies Registration Act – was formed three years ago. Its memorandum of association was written and approved after a wide consultation with organic farmers.

Event in Pune

admin — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 06:02:06 +0000

OFAI is also committed to active involvement of women farmers in the decision-making structures of the association. Such involvement is mandatory and reflected in the organisation’s bye-laws.

Shoranoor meeting of organic farmers

admin — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 07:13:51 +0000

When Gandhi used harsh words, this could only mean one thing: in his mind and soul, there was no scope for further dealing, or negotiation. This again is a startling position to take for a person who was willing to discuss almost anything; who is known to have observed that he wanted all the windows of his house to remain open to winds from all directions. This can only mean Gandhi’s experience of the West (he lived in London for some time, dressed like a Londoner, tried to learn to dance and eat meat) and his subsequent reflection on that experience, convinced him that it would be in the best interest of humanity if that particular window, knowing what it was bringing in, was now firmly shut.

I want to spend a little time on the nature of this “satanic civilization”. One fundamental reason why Gandhiji was opposed to Western civilisation was because he was convinced that, forget about adopting it for India, it was bad for the British (and the Europeans) as well. This point has not been adequately highlighted by most people who have read Hind Swaraj but who have restricted themselves to applying Gandhiji’s ideas purely within an Indian context.

Ten years ago, Ashis Nandy, Ziauddin Sardar, Merryl Wyn Davies and I wrote a book which we titled, The Blinded Eye, which is a severe analysis of the pathologies that have driven Western civilisation.² Before that, an Arabic writer named Jala Al-I Ahmad published a book which he called Occidentosis: A Plague of the West.³ But neither of these can hold a candle to Hind Swaraj in its almost total rejection of the West and its institutions due to their inherent and intimate association with the culture of violence.

Interview with K.V. Dayal

admin — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 07:03:13 +0000

Despite the hyper active personality everyone else sees… I can be quite self-destructive. My brain contains toxins that ooze out emotions and thoughts that are too dark for most to handle. It has been this way since maybe the 4th grade.

My humor, when I am bitter, can be sarcastic or even morbid. I talk about myself negatively – and laugh at my own misery. Perhaps it is a defense mechanism. My way of dealing with my problems… just being passive aggressive.

My thoughts sometimes scare or surprise people. I wish it didn’t. As I have said, I have been this way forever. It’s just a big contrast to the bubbly, crazy, me. If anything, I think it just shows that I am human, and I can feel sadness too.

University of Agricultural Farming

admin — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 06:45:54 +0000

OFAI is also committed to active involvement of women farmers in the decision-making structures of the association. Such involvement is mandatory and reflected in the organisation’s bye-laws.