Back U. R. Sangakkara
Department of Crop Science, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
Full Paper (PDF File: 172KB)
Abstract
Crop production in traditional organic farming systems of the tropics is characterized by the use of available agricultural wastes as soil conditioners and biofertilizers. However, the output in terms of economic yield is generally low. This results in marginal profitability for those farmers who practice organic farming methods. The technology of Effective Microorganisms (EM), now advocated as an important dimension of Kyusei Nature Farming, has been shown to increase the yield and, quality of tropical crops in organic farming systems. In the present study, EM cultures were applied to traditional organic systems that utilized only organic amendments (i.e., crop residues and animal manures). For three years, crop yields, production costs and net returns were monitored. The selected crops were sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) and bush bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Yields of these two crops were increased significantly from the application of EM to the traditional organic system. Even though the overall production costs were increased from the purchase and application of EM, net returns due to EM increased over time. Thus, most organic farmers could afford to adopt EM technology and readily obtain a significant increase in net returns and profitability.