A QUIET revolution of sorts is underway among a small number of farmers and smallholders in Lundu and Mambong.
NATURAL FARMING: The owner (right) of this farm in Lundu trying out natural farming methods on his pepper vines.
Breakthrough, a faith-based non-profit non-governmental organisation (NGO), is working with marginalised and disadvantaged families in these rural areas to raise their living standards through natural farming methods and help them to become self-sufficient.
Natural farming is a form of sustainable farming which makes use of all-natural materials to create inputs such as fertilisers, herbicides and pesticides.
It helps to restore nutrient balance in soil which has been depleted by extensive use of chemicals, thereby creating and maintaining healthier soil ecosystems which, in turn, promotes better quality plant growth and crop yields.
Natural farming is low-tech and can be done at home easily and cheaply.
More importantly, these methods work because they are based on tested and tried principles.
Because of its low cost, DIY-nature and self-sustainability, natural farming has the potential to be a powerful tool to increase farmers’ incomes of farmers, especially in less developed parts of the world.
New ‘old’ concept
Natural farming is widely practised in many Asian countries, including Thailand, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea and the Philippines.
Locally, it is a relatively new ‘old’ concept. Earlier generations practised it to one extent or the other.
However, due to the popularity and extensive promotion of chemical fertilisers, pesticides and herbicides, the once widespread knowledge and practice of natural farming have all but faded away with time.
Project coordinator Jerry Lam admits changing local mindsets can be challenging as by default, many farmers still think using chemical methods is better.
By educating farmers about the benefits of healthy soil ecosystems and natural pest control, Breakthrough hopes the farmers will be able to see the long-term value of natural farming methods, and not just focus on short-term returns.
“We have to change their mindset. With fertilisers, you can see fast results but with natural farming, once it’s on, it’s on — meaning when the soil is replenished, it becomes fertile,” Lam explained.
Some farmers are concerned using natural farming will lead to lesser yields and poorer crops, but research overseas suggests otherwise. Breakthrough hopes to replicate this success locally.
If conducted properly, natural farming is the healthier way, not just for consumers but also the land and the farmers. Environmental impact is less too.
Natural farming does not require toxic chemicals which can leech into the ground and poison the groundwater system.
Much of the planning and effort takes place in the initial stages but once fully set up, natural farming is relatively straightforward and low maintenance.
Although the full outcome of the project will only be known in two years, Lam told thesundaypost farmers taking part in the programme were already experiencing encouraging results.
Many farmers initially agreed to try natural farming in limited plots side by side with vegetables and crops grown the usual way – that is with chemicals.
However, when they saw for themselves how natural farming could produce healthier and better quality crops, they were eager to apply its methods to a greater area of their farms.
Also, as word began to get around about its benefits, more farmers approached Breakthrough about using natural farming methods on their own land.
The project
The programme is divided into five phases spanning at least 24 months, depending on the initial condition of the soil.
During the first phase, the organisation’s staff will provide free teaching and training to farmers on how to make natural farming inputs such as fertilisers, pesticides and herbicides.
Breakthrough now has a Filipino advisor who provides consultancy and training services for their staff and farmers on an honorary basis.
Farmers are taught to make a wide range of natural inputs, including indigenous microorganism (IMO), fermented plant juice, oriental herbal nutrient, lactic acid bacteria, fish amino acid, water-soluble calcium (WCA), water-soluble calcium phosphate (WCP) and insect attractant.
As the ingredients to create these inputs are obtained from plants and other naturally occurring sources, the results are eco-friendly and safe to use. For example, one method of producing IMO calls for farmers to place wooden or bamboo boxes containing cooked rice under trees to collect certain microorganisms.
The rice is then mixed with brown sugar and left undisturbed for a period of time. This encourages microorganisms to reproduce and multiply.
Once matured, the resulting IMO-rich liquid is strained into containers and is then ready for use.
Depending on the type of IMO produced, the liquid can be used to fertilise plants, aid composting, catalyse chemical processes in the soil, reduce plant disease occurrences and revitalise soil ecosystems.
Since the farmers make the inputs themselves using existing resources and low-cost materials, cost outlays are minimal.
In the second phase, farmers prepare the land for long-term natural farming by planting nitrogen producing legumes.
These plants help to make depleted soil more fertile by reintroducing nitrogen into the soil — a critical component required for photosynthesis and plant growth. Nitrogen-producing legume plants can be used as feed for livestock.
Farmers can also crop the legume plants for mulching which helps to control weed growth, maintain soil moisture and further increase soil fertility.
Lam said some farmers had been testing the use of legume plants as scaffolding for pepper vines even as the vines make use of the nitrogen-producing benefits on the legumes.
So far, results have been quite encouraging as pepper vines grown in this manner appear healthier and sturdier than vines grown without the introduction of legume plants.
During this phase, farmers also begin their seed-planting and reducing the use of chemical fertilisers. Phasing out chemicals is crucial for natural farming methods to work. Beneficial microorganisms playing a vital role in the process are very sensitive to chemicals and can be easily killed by them.
During the third phase between the fourth and 12th month of the programme, farmers continue to phase out chemical use and reinforce earlier natural farming efforts. Planting and harvesting of crops may continue as normal and the farmer’s income is expected to increase in line with yield.
By the fourth phase in the second year of the project, the soil should be fully replenished as a result of earlier efforts and farmers can begin using biological pest control.
From the second year onwards, Breakthrough will work with the farmers to help them certify their farms and produce as organic as well as assist the farmers to market their produce.
“Since certified organic vegetables can fetch prices up to double or triple the price of non-organic vegetables, hopefully the farmers will see their income increase accordingly,” said James Lee, one of Breakthrough’s directors.
People serving people
Natural farming is just one of many ongoing projects coordinated by the NGO to help less fortunate individuals and families achieve self-sufficiency, rebuild their confidence and re-join society with their heads held high.
The organisation first started out by helping to build houses for the hard-core poor, which it still does today. In addition to providing immediate relief in the form of basic necessities, they also provide free tuition for children of schooling age as well as bring in qualified volunteers to give free medical check-ups and other healthcare services.
Lam said people struggling to make a living on the fringes of society often suffered from low self-esteem because of shame associated with their inability to provide for themselves and take care of their families.
Subsequently, this leads to many of them isolating themselves and withdrawing from participating in their communities.
Most of the people receiving assistance from Breakthrough are single parents or families with at least one spouse unable to help provide for the family — often due to disability or illness.
Lee emphasised it is very difficult for the hardcore poor to escape the vicious cycle of poverty without the intervention of more able members of the community.
Not surprisingly, rallying the members and resources of the community to help the hard-core poor break the poverty cycle and become self-sufficient is at the heart of Breakthrough’s many programmes.
Most of the NGO’s members comprise white-collar professionals and skilled tradespeople, including engineers, accountants, lawyers, teachers, doctors and business people. They also have a board of six directors who oversee the running of the organisation.
Breakthrough works closely with various government departments as well as with secular and other faith-based NGOs to bring practical support and welfare services to families in need.
One hundred percent of public donations which Breakthrough receives goes toward helping to meet the needs of the families under the organisation’s care.
Currently, Breakthrough provides various forms of assistance to 60 families comprising about 200 adults and children; almost a quadruple increase in numbers — from 16 families of about 60 adults and children from early last year.
This drastic increase also means the NGO needs more volunteers to help carry out and support its programmes and activities, whether through financial means, donations or services.
This year, the organisation hopes to introduce more DIY-based programmes which will enable low-income families to improve their financial means, including craftwork and baking.
The public and corporate bodies interested in getting involved can contact Breakthrough at 082-427478 or email at [email protected]. They also have a website available at www.breakthrough.org.my.