Cowpathy and Vedic Krishi to Empower Food and Nutritional Security and Improve Soil Health: A Review
The study aims to evaluate the efficiency and efficacy of some cowpathy and vedic krishi inputs, viz. Vrkshayurveda, Panchagavya, Kunapajala, Beejamrit, Jeevamirit, Compost tea, Matka khad, Vermiwash and Amrutpani with the objectives to enhance the biological efficiency of crop plants and food production for eco friendly nutrient and disease management and improve soil health in organic farming. Cowpathy and vedic krishi techniques are low input costs, which comply well with the ecological and socioeconomic conditions of vast segment of farming community comprising of small and marginal farmers. All the Cowpathy and vedic krishi inputs were found quite effective in enhancing the productivity of different crops and suppressing the growth of various plant pathogens by producing antibacterial and anti fungal compounds, hormones and siderophores. Application of vermiwash gave 60, 10, 26 and 27% higher yield in Knol khol (211.67qha) onion (177.81qha) French bean (16.3qha seed yield) Pea (16.3qha1) and Paddy (28.45qha) respetively over control. Panchagavya 6 per cent spray recorded significantly higher Capsicum fruit yield (30.25, 37.49, 48.91, 118.91, 96.15, 86.29, 47.81 q ha at 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110 and 120 DAT, respectively) N fixers life (23.68, 25.59 at 60 DAT and 17.77, 17.18 X 103 at harvest during kharif and summer, respectively) Application of kunapajala (T 3) treatment was effective in enhancing the morphological parameters of the leaves of tomato plant followed by conventional farming (T 1) and organic farming (T 2).The beneficial microorganisms from Panchagavya and their establishment in the soil improves soil fertility and provide food grains free from the health hazards of using chemical fertilizers/ pesticides.Vermiwash, Beejamrit, and Jeevamirit as foliar were also proved quite effective in enhancing the productivity of different crops and effective against various plant pathogens.