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| Wednesday, 18 August 2004 |
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Water could be used with conservation and recycling
This is generally the inherent compassion majority of Sri Lankans are gifted with. Currently before a drought enters the scene once again, Government, Minister Dinesh Gunewardane in particular has shown his concerted interest in conservation of rainwater. If private sector too actively joins in this gracious proposition, Government moves could well be a marked success. Public too will cooperate with authorities fully to ensure that rainwater is adequately utilized before it is finally allowed to drain away into the ground. In the Dry Zone, State and private institutions have introduced domestic rainwater resource tanks on a limited scale. It benefits few only. The capital layout is not worth while unless there is a sufficient roof extent to collect rainwater into the tank. The other reason is lack of funds to serve more families. Industrialists, entrepreneurs, Government and private institutions however could make a solid contribution in the proposed conservation of rainwater, especially in Dry Zone. Industries of any scale could perhaps extend a rotating shaft to activate purification plants with little extra cost in electricity or fuel in duel-purpose operation. Conservation cost high In down South we have seen many attempts by individual households to collect rainwater with adhoc devices. They succeeded harvesting only a portion of rainwater falling on the roof. Cost of material and workmanship and need to keep the system in good repair has prevented a fitting technology going into their attempts. Every family cannot spend Rs 30,000 for the construction of the concrete tank and install a system to channel water coming down from roof into a manhole-site and funnel into the reserve tank fitted with outlet controls and simple distribution network. Assistance is welcome to the poor on this important issue. A long-term interest free loan facitlity for them will pronounce triumph for the proposal in underprivileged households. In general, the rainwater reserve tanks installed on a limited basis in Dry Zone are for washing and vegetable plots in small gardens. If water conservation could be carried out even at this extent, it is a significant service to them than leaving them high and dry. Some households have developed a satisfactory system to turn rainwater collected from roof through their improvised methods, into drinking water after boiling. This way when heavy rains are experienced and roof is well washed off, water could also be separately collected for drinking. However public awareness is necessary both on technology and sanitation on rainwater management at every critical point of hydrologic cycle. Practical example Kurunegala district has experienced severe droughts and water shortage in the town has become a problem to the authorities and residents. We came across an industrialist and notable socialite in locality S.M.A.G. Perera in his factory at Wanduragala in close proximity to Kurunegala town, who has initiated a system to conserve rainwater in his own one-acre land. Having intensively developed the land into an industrial site and well-designed residence with a garden planned probably by a horticultural expert, he has installed an effective system to harvest rainwater into an underground reserves. Strong and reliable gutter network installed right round the roof periphery conduct rainwater fast through into the back-up tanks. No rain in the area could bypass Perera's property without a contribution into his underground reserve tanks. Water husbandry could also be extended to save runoff rainwater in large premises and gardens thereby preventing soil erosion and loss of soil nutrients. Runoff water collected in a pit with cemented sidewalls and the bottom could be used for watering plants and even washing household mats and carpets. Perera says rainwater harvesting technology is not complicated although little money is involved to do the reserve tanks, PVC piping etc and if necessary he could advise any household or business site in the area to install similar water management systems at a minimum cost. Renewable resource Water is a renewable resource and can be purified many times over into drinkable safe water or partly purify at lower cost to be utilized for purposes other than drinking and cooking. Together with rainwater conservation, it is also useful if recycling of used water is introduced to the areas prone to attacks of prolonged drought. All pipe borne water tapped from rivers is recycled by purification plants, aerated and chlorinated before drinkable water is allowed to pass through distribution mechanism. For extended periods of stay in space travel, all wastewater, urine, and extraction of water from air are repeatedly recycled into drinking water for spacemen and women. Big hotels and resorts in Australia collect and recycle wastewater to launder cloths, wash, water gardens etc. Every water tap carrying recycled water has a 'not for drinking' notice. Harvesting rainwater or recycling could reduce the water bill by 70 percent and also conserve so much water for other uses. - Lionel Gulawita, Diriya Foundation ########## Planting by the Moon cycle by Abey Ekanayake When I was a young Assistant Superintendent (S.D.) on Ury Group, Passara in the mid fifties my Superintendent (P.D.) would give me two small calico bags of Albizia and Grevillea seeds and instructed me to put them out for germination as soon as possible for planting out in the fields with the first N.E. monsoon rains in October. He would warn me that we need 18 inch tall plants and the seeds must be germinated soon, so that they can be transplanted into cane baskets, we did not have polythene in those days. I would, in turn, hand over the seeds to my Head Kangany, a six foot venerable old gentleman, telling him that the P.D. wants the seeds put out for germination without delay, and he would most faithfully promise to do so. Come next week and my P.D. would visit my nursery and find no signs of the seeds being germinated resulting in my getting a sound pulling up. This scene would be repeated in the next two or three weeks with the barrage of angry words hurled at me by my P.D. getting coarser and coarser. After much cajoling the Head Kangany would put the seeds out, but at his own convenience and discretion, however, two months later I would be congratulated by the P.D. for having the best plants out of all six divisions in the group, he seemed to have completely forgotten the many a scolding he gave me previously. The other Assistants, who put out the seeds in the first week as instructed, would have 2 to 6 inch little runts badly attacked by caterpillars, mites etc. while mine were healthy vigorously growing 12 to 18 inch plants, a pleasure to behold. This happened routinely in the three years that I was on Blarneywatte Division and my Head Kangany diplomatically avoided explaining the 'mystery' despite my many overtures. In due course I was transferred to another division. On the day of my departure the staff and workers had a small farewell ceremony for me and I took the opportunity to ask my Head Kangany, why he delayed germinating the seeds year after year resulting in my getting a sound dressing down on each occasion followed by accolades two months later. He smiled and said, "Dorai, I plant according to the Indian Almanac, not according to the Peria Dorai's or Sinna Dorai's whims'. He elaborated, "you may find it difficult to follow the Indian Almanac, but if you follow the simple procedure of planting during the waxing of the moon and prepare the soil during the waning of the moon, you will be alright". I have followed his advice right through my planting career, with success (Figure 1). When I migrated to Australia in the mid eighties and joined the Australia Biodynamic Association I found that they too did their sowing of seeds and planting by the moon cycle. They prepared a planting calendar each year based on the thirty five years research done by the German scientist Maria Thun after having received indications from Rudolf Steiner. The present Biodynamic calendars are very explicit and based on modern research. The lunar rhythms covered in the calendar are: 1. The Waxing and Waning of the moon, 2. The Ascending and Descending of the moon, 3. The Sidereal Rhythm, the passage of the moon in front of the constellations and 4. The Apogee Perigee Cycle, Apogee when the moon is furthest from earth and Perigee when it is closest. From the earth the moon can be seen to pass in front of the twelve regions of the Zodiac in the 27.3 day lunar sidereal month. When the moon passes before a constellation, it enables the formative forces emanating from the constellation to work more strongly into plant life through the moon. The four elements of nature, Earth, Water, Air and Fire (Warmth) are associated in the plant as Root, Leaf, Flower and Fruit (seed). Each element has a common denominator in three Zodiac signs, though maintaining individual qualities. The results of Maria Thun's research into the specific zodiac sign influence on germinating seeds came up with the following specific information on plant growth (Figure 2). There is a very powerful lunar influence on earth just before full moon, especially if it has rained recently. Water is a mediator for lunar forces and consequently they are stronger in coastal areas and in the tropics. Nearly eighty percent of a plant consists of water and when one considers the moon's effects on the ocean's tides one can appreciate what it must be doing to the sap in plants. Fruits, vegetables and even tea fields look healthy and very appealing when nearing full moon. (a good time to have the Visiting Agent coming to the estate) but we must not try storage of fruit and vegetable at this time as the moisture content is high and they will not keep well. Times closer to new moon are more appropriate for storage. Readers will also be interested to know that the best timber is obtained from trees felled at new moon as the low sap content makes it less prone to splitting, warping and borer attack. I know, my father would never have allowed a Jak tree to be cut down during the waxing of the moon. In agriculture we are working within a vast cosmological and earthly environment, and after all our earth is also a cosmic body. Earth in conjunction with other cosmic bodies makes one huge cosmic ecology. If we, like our ancestors, work within that vast environment, then we are truly working within the organisation of nature. In a lecture given by Rudolf Steiner for scientists in January 1923, he said "We must extend our science to include cosmic aspects. We must learn to understand the elements, we must learn to understand the movements of the planets, we must learn to understand the starry constellations and their influence on what happens on earth". We know that the moon has such a tremendous influence on the ebb and flow of tides and many farmers working close to nature are aware that the moon likewise has an effect on the growth of plants. However, isn't it rather strange that conventional science has overlooked this possibility? Our ancestors, like my old Head Kangany, practiced the art of planting and sowing seeds according to the stars by using the Almanac and they had good growth and less plant diseases and pests. This knowledge is still available with our older generation farmers and we must harness this valuable knowledge, before it is too late, if we are to be self sufficient in food and grow healthy crops for our consumption, with the minimum use of artificial fertilizer and poisonous chemicals. ########## Fertiliser: The indispensable input in farming Income generation in agriculture by Chandrasiri Nanayakkara The nutrients we offer for crops through fertilizers depend on what we extract from them. In tea we harvest young leaves to produce made tea need high dose of nitrogen. A crop, which gives its fruits like coconut, or a crop, which is in its productive stage like flowering paddy the potassium need is high. A young plant to develop strong root system and quick cell growth the need of phosphorus is high. Paddy - In dry zone, 4 - 4 1/2 months variety for 100 bu. Tea - 2500 made tea per year in upcountry Coconut - 3 kg per palm for 176 palms for 3000 nuts Vegetable - Hill country exotics like beans, tomato, cabbage and carrot Pineapple - 7000 plants giving 10,000 kg Banana - 675 suckers for 10,000 kg Because of this varying needs pre-mixed fertilizer mixtures are available in the market. The deficiency symptoms are seen in plants if nutrients in the soil are inadequate. The nitrogen deficiency is highly visible through stunted growth and pale green colour of leaves. The phosphorous and potassium deficiencies also shown through symptoms but actual confirmation need detail analysis. The overall malnutrition results stunted growth, susceptibility to pests and diseases giving low production. The prices of fertilizers are increasing in the world market and reflected in the local market over the time. The currency deprecations and imposed taxes also added to the price hike. To compensate this subsidies are given, at times they are withdrawn according to government policies. * Today urea price is below the 1996 price due to subsidy. * TSP is increased by 134% from Rs. 630 to 1475 but has partial local substitute. * MOP is increased by 137% from Rs. 580 to 1375 and no substitute * V-1 is increased by 80% from Rs. 610 to 1100 and it is a mixture of above three The above table shows subsidized hence shadowed price of urea and real price of other two. Among some farmers this results the over use of urea and lesser use of potassium and phosphorus. The high potassium users like coconut growers suffer more and give up fertilizer application as evident in this year. Even in paddy the high use of urea is not increasing yields proportionately as a result of low application of organic matter and land degradation. The income generation in agriculture is relatively low than in industrial and services sectors. Subsidies are given to compensate this disparity. Grants are meant to enhance the growth of the entire sector or to encourage lagging sub sectors. In this policy intervention government could act in two ways. One is subsidizing farmer's operational costs as in the case of urea subsidy. The other is subsidies and grants for capital costs. It includes subsidies for irrigation through agro-wells, drip irrigation, shift from fuel to electricity, new technology of storage and post harvest losses, mechanization and efficient training and extension service. In the long run this tend to reduce cost of production, increase yields, reduce post harvest losses, quality and standards and income of the farmer. This is the path to growth and development of the sector through continuour infusion of new technology in modernization and productivity increase. Hence it is more advisable to consider the following at least in the future when restructuring the agricultural sector by the new Government. * The taxing should be removed from imported inputs. * Grants and subsidies should be concentrated to capital development. * The urea subsidy should be reduced over time and imposed to MOP where no substitutes available. * Implement programs to grow green manure crops in boundaries, marginal lands and unused lands. The application of green manure, compost and cow dung should be encouraged. * Change the attitude and urea addiction and dependency of the farmer. * A comprehensive farmer education and extension programme should be implemented on crop nutrition and methods. (The writer is a former Ag. Economist at the Ministry of Lands, Irrigation and Mahaweli Development) |
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Produced by Lake House |
When people the in the Dry Zone were afflicted by continued drought,
the citizens in other parts of the country showed their concern by sending
water and foodstuffs to them, in many times over.
