The advent of biodynamic farming

Biodynamic farming was first introduced in Germany in 1924 by Dr Rudolf Steiner to combat rapid degeneration of soil, deterioration of food quality and seed viability and vitality that occurred due to chemical farming. Chemical farming is a consequence of world wars when the residues of chemicals used in warfare and weapon manufacturing were used against plant pests and weeds. Introduction of hybrid seeds and genetically modified seeds posed a great threat to the ecological balance on the earth. With many global disasters happening around due to the damage caused to our planet, people are becoming aware of sustainable practices.
Biodynamics is concerned with how life on earth is influenced by the higher forces and the finer energies. Today, many people around the world validated this concept, attempted to document the effect of cosmos on Earth and published planting calendar for farmers and gardeners. This method is purely based on observation and relationship with nature.
Biodynamic farming is slowly gaining popularity across the world over the past few decades. Steiner presented farmers an altogether different way of looking at farming and earth in general and inter-relationships and interactions between all living things. He explained that chemical agriculture is a mere study of dead things in laboratories rather than observation of nature and interactions therein. He also believed that moving planets and stars have an impact on the life of plants, animals and human beings and that this very connection helps us understand how to work best with nature in a scientific way. The whole concept behind this is that these forces bring balance to the soil and the plants that grow in the soil and every living being that consume those plants.

Principles of biodynamic farming

Biodynamic farming considers the following aspects to bring about a balance between all elements that support life:

1. Life depends largely on the interaction of substance and energies. For instance, we eat food which provides us with energy.
2. The plants that are grown in a well-balanced soil can give us substance as well as energy
3. Competent use of organic matter enriches the soil
4. Humus which is the fully digested crude organic matter maintains the fertility of the soil in a stable way
5. Using cow dung for making compose owing to the presence of more beneficial bacteria attributed to the lengthy digestion process of cow
6. Studying and applying the effect of cosmic forces on plant growth
7. Simple and natural preparations which can be directly sprayed on the plants and soil to enhance the effects of movement of planets and stars
8. Crop rotation to maintain the nitrogen content of the soil
9. Weed growth is a sign of soil deficiencies. Thus they help us rectify the issue
10. Burnt ashes of insects, weeds or dead animal skins can be used to make homoeopathic preparations that act as sustainable alternatives to chemical sprays

Advantages of biodynamic farming

• Production of fruits and vegetables of superior quality
• High protein and vitamin content in the produce
• Higher yields than those produced by organic farming
• Natural ways to control insect pests and weeds

Online Course in Agribusiness at James Lind Institute

To learn more about various aspects of farming, enrol yourself in an online training program in agribusiness being launched at James Lind Institute. This course acquaints you with various features of crop production, farm management principles and values, organic farming and sustainable agriculture, animal husbandry, research methods in agribusiness, agrochemicals and technology management and allied topics. The globally accredited and industry-specific training fine-tunes your skills to match the needs of the ever-growing market. James Lind Institute has launched online training programs in agribusiness. For more details, please visit www.jliedu.com