Can we grow Ragi using organic farming methods?

In this episode of Rootmaps, Shashi Kumar explains the traditional way of growing Ragi using only organic methods. The intercropping practice - called Akkadi Salu in Karnataka - involves growing Ragi with a combination of legumes, pulses, oilseeds, trees and shrubs. Livestock also play a key role in what is often considered a labour-intensive practice. Today, as Shashi points out, farmers have moved away from these practices to adopt mono cropping which is easier for mechanised farming but not necessarily better for the nature or our health. Modern methods are also overreliant on inputs such as fertilisers and pesticides. Traditional practices such as Akkadi Salu also help farmers mitigate risks such as erratic rainfall, degrading soils, and unpredictable markets. With climate crisis now a lived reality, farmers might be well advised to opt for diversity in crops. It also means a year-long supply of nutrition to the farmers. But will farmers actually go back to these practices? Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:23 Growing Ragi as an intercrop 05:29 Conventional way of growing Ragi 08:08 Mechanisation of agriculture and farming workforce 10:55 Weeds can be a source of nutrition 13:08 Is Ragi meant to be a commercial crop? 18:15 Negative impacts of agricultural mechanisation 21:02 Is it better to grow millets over rice? 25:09 Castor as an intercrop with Ragi 27:38 Effects of seed and soil nutrition on crops 31:00 Fukuoka's natural farming methods 35:17 Fundamentals of growing Ragi traditionally 38:46 Conclusion #goodfoodmovement #millets #organicfarming