The modern era in which we live has a creative solution for everything from agriculture to space. As a result, all the hereditary seeds are replaced with GM seeds and all the Organic manure has been replaced by fertilisers and in addition to all these tonnes of pesticides are used to safeguard the crops.

“Being a farmer means shaking hands with nature”

Do you really believe that all these technological advancements are making our food healthy? The basic need of survival is food, it’s exploited and we are actually consuming chemicals on the daily basis as food.

Every problem has a solution and hence the solution to this problem is proposed by a man born on 1938. The solution is practically possible and it has already yielded greater results. It’s Nammalvar who found the key and the way of producing healthy crops is to pursue Organic Farming.

“It is vitally important that we can continue to say, with absolute conviction, that organic Farming delivers the highest quality, best-tasting food, produced without artificial chemicals or genetic modification, and with respect for animal welfare and the environment while helping to maintain the landscape and rural communities,” says Prince Charles

The beginning

Nammalvar was born as a farmer’s son in Elangadu, Tanjavur in Tamil Nadu in 1938 which, is a green belt of Tamil Nadu. After his graduation, he joined the Agriculture Regional Research Station at kovilpatti as a scientist. It was the agriculture research place initiated by the British in 1901. It was really a challenging task for him to grow the crop in the driest place in Tamil Nadu.

“Originating from the greenest piece of state, it was an inconsiderate stun and test to me.”

Over there he yielded crops like Jowar, Bajra, millets, pulse, cotton and etc over there. They used hybrid seeds, chemical manures and chemical pesticides over there and the yield was good but it wasn’t long-lasting. The tests over there resulted in vain.  He tried to come up with the new solution but the research wasn’t successful and he failed.  With disappointment, he left the Institute.

The Island of Peace

Then for the next 10 years, he worked as an agronomist at the island of peace.  He was emphasised to look over the region of Kalakad in Tirunelveli and was asked to take care of the dark soil cultivated over there. As it was a low rainfall region the agriculturist over there used cow excrement as manure. The also reared cattle and sheep to add richness to the soil. This was a common practice over there and he was told to include manure and analyse the yield over there.

Defining moment of Nammalvar’s life

When the chemical composts were used the whole scenario changed. At one side the farmers found it very expensive and on the other hand due to these chemical compost the land needed more water and as a consequence of less water, the plants started to wither. This is the defining moment of his life and it made him the Messiah of organic farming.

By realising the worth of chemical composts and fertilisers he lost hope in all of them and started to search new creative methods of farming. Kudumbam society was begun in 1979 to join hands with the farmers for a participatory development.

Two people who made a great difference in Nammalvar life

“Life changes when you realise the meaning of your birth”

Two people influenced Nammalvar to a great extent.

“Paulo Freire and Vinoba Bhave- changed my life totally,” says Nammalvar. An article return by Paulo Freire in the magazine Idea and action touched his heart. It explained the need for the participatory development and participatory education.

New perspectives and new path

A great renaissance took place in him. He resembled more like a western man in his pants and shirts! He then totally changed himself; he dressed like a common man- a farmer. He totally cleansed his thoughts, conduct and state of mind.

Vinoba Bhave’s article furthermore kindled his spirits. ”a procedure of giving an adulterated hypothetical education is not education by any stretch of the imagination”

Now he clearly knew what do and also the way of pursuing his motives. Now with the resemblance of a farmer, he went in search of farmers and educated them and told the need of organic farming and its results. He went from town to town to educate them.

“When I began sprucing up like them, every one of the farmers acknowledged me and held onto me as one among them”.

And into the field, I lose my mind and find my soul

Organic Farming became his passion and life. He wasn’t an instructor or a leader. Nammalvar was more like a fellow farmer working hard to uplift the farming methods in a healthy way. He furrowed along with the fellow farmers. Along with the woman he has worked in the ragi field and had mid-day meal along with them; he just loved what he did. The love of these farmers gave him more responsibility and also gave him a deep desire to do something to elevate the farming group.

Experiments with organic farming

Another person who has influenced him a lot was Bernard de Clark from Belgium who practised organic farming in Auroville. “ It was from him that I learned to do organic farming methodically. If done deliberately, organic farming gives more food with less cost and you can eat less toxic”

When Nammalvar was appointed as a Tamil Nadu state facilitator for ARISE(Agricultural Renewal in India for Sustainable Environment) he started farmers about the ill effects of chemical composts and it actually frightened them. He understood the need of demonstrating them how organic farming truly matters.

“In winter’s chill or summer’s heat a farmer works, so the world can eat.”

Along with a couple of friends he bought a 10-acre barren plot in PuduKottai region where annual rainfall is very low and it’s also a place where there is no waterway for irrigation. He fenced that barren place with live crops and began collecting the rainwater and planted a nursery.

Over there Nammalvar started the vegetable garden and also cultivated poultry farm. He also got the support from the surrounding neighbours. The local boys and girls helped him with the agriculture. 52 types of trees that were preferred by the local people were planted. In addition to the collection of rainwater her borrowed a well. When the well was brought there was no water till 30ft and after 3 years the water started levelling up definitely. And now there was enough water for the grass, cattle and sheep. Now the barren land now changed into a paradise with trees, birds and butterflies.

Spreading words of wisdom

“A farmer has to an optimist or he wouldn’t still be a farmer”

As his experiment with the land has turned fruitful he started educating all the farmers with this new methodology of organic farming. Nammalvar started going to new places like Maharashtra, Chattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Orissa and told the miraculous effects of organic farming. “I attempted a padayatra from Bhavani Sagar Dam to Kodumudi for nearly 25 days and made all the villagers to know the value of organic farming.”

There were thousands and thousands of farmers who joined him along with the journey for a good cause. Lots of agriculturists switched to organic farming knowing the value of it.

The ill effects of GM seeds

As a result of technological advancement hereditary seeds were altered with GM seeds were given to the farmers and they were encouraged to use these seeds. But Nammalvar stood against these seeds stating that these seeds pollute the biodiversity of the soil and plants. He also found that it produces in results as it was a result of unsafe science.

Fight against the Methane project

As Nammalvar was born in Thanjavur, the greenest belt of Tamil Nadu; he had a natural affinity towards agriculture, crops and farmers. He roused a great number of farmers to follow organic farming.

The crusader against the GM seeds and chemical usage then fought against the methane project that was yet to come in the Kaveri Delta locale by the American Multinational firm. He bravely stood against it and also made the people aware of the ill effects of the project. With his own endeavour and charm, this project was stopped.

Nammalvar has also written several books on organic farming and till his last breath, he stood for farmers with love and compassion. He passed away on December 30 in 2013.

During his travel people were discussing death and the words that would be written in the coffin after death. He funnily replied that “This is what I want to be written. ‘Here sleeps peacefully a man who disturbed some people’s sleep’.”  Yes, now he sleeps peacefully in his coffin arousing a great number of people from the deep sleep of ignorance.

“My grandfather used to say that once in your life you need a doctor, a lawyer, a policeman and a preacher but every day, three times a day, you need a farmer” Brenda Schoepp.

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