Says Jostein Hertwig, Head of Baltic Ecological Recycling Agriculture and Society Secretariat that is involved in rejuvenation of Baltic Sea.

The world cannot afford external inputs for agriculture as natural resources are depleting. Chemical fertilizers and other farm inputs will become too expensive in future and hence there is a need to encourage regenerative agriculture. These are the words of caution from Jostein Hertwig, Head of Baltic Ecological Recycling Agriculture and Society (BERAS) Secretariat, which is involved in rejuvenation of Baltic Sea.
In an interaction on the sidelines of a conference on ‘Ecological approaches towards diet for a green planet’ here on Friday, Mr. Jostein said that they were on a quest for replicable regenerative agricultural practices and found that India, particularly Tamil Nadu, had “good farmers.”
“Such conferences will help us adopt new ideas and strengthen existing practices here with our experience,” he said.
The concept of ‘diet for a green planet’ has as its criteria organically produced, tasty, attractive and locally produced, seasonal, healthy food, with less meat component. There should also be reduction in food waste. Reduced waste would contribute to a more healthy climate and environment and food waste should be used as animal fodder and for biogas production. It offers a sustainable lifestyle with consumption of enough and good food without threatening the environment. The basis for the concept of ‘diet for a green planet’ is the farm where ecological regenerative agriculture is practised.
Regenerative agriculture
On the reasons for looking at India for good agricultural practices, Mr. Jostein said, “The concept was inspired by Gandhi’s philosophy.” The BERAS, he said, wanted regenerative agriculture to become a movement and in this context inputs from practitioners of organic farming in Tamil Nadu would be valuable. This was necessary to protect the environment and Europe had enough research done on soil fertility. The focus of such conferences was to network farmers and create awareness of the need to take immediate steps to improve soil fertility.
“Farmers should stop using chemical fertilizers and begin to regenerate soil. There are good examples in the form of model farms in Europe. Certain universal principles can be adapted to local conditions,” he also said.
While appreciating organic farming practices adopted by Tamil Nadu farmers, Mr. Jostein said that its practical side needed strengthening. Government-university linkages would help in this regard. He favoured creation of local models as in Europe to disseminate information and practice of organic farming.

Source : The Hindu