BRICS delegates introduced to Indore’s century-old composting method

Representatives attending the ongoing BRICS Agriculture Working Group meeting in Indore were introduced to the city’s nearly century-old organic manure production technique that later gained recognition around the world.

The working group meeting is focusing on issues including food security, sustainable farming, climate change challenges and strengthening mutual cooperation in the agricultural sector, officials said.

As part of efforts to familiarise delegates with Indore’s history, representatives from Ethiopia, Brazil, South Africa, Indonesia and other BRICS nations were taken on a visit to the historic Rajwada Palace. During the tour, officials also briefed them on the ‘Indore Compost’ method, an organic manure production technique that was later adopted by several countries across the world.

Officials said British agricultural scientist Albert Howard, who is regarded as the father of modern organic farming, studied traditional farming practices in Indore during the early decades of the 20th century.

During his research, Howard observed farmers preparing manure using agricultural residue, cow dung and other organic materials. Based on these observations, he developed a systematic composting process that later became known as the ‘Indore Method of Compost Making’.

Historian Zafar Ansari told PTI, “The Government Agriculture College of Indore was first established in 1923 as the Institute of Plant Industry. Howard conducted his studies and experiments at this very institute.”

Ansari said Mahatma Gandhi praised the composting method during his visit to Indore in 1935.

Officials said the method, which is based on the use of local resources, continues to be regarded as effective for improving soil quality and reducing dependence on chemical fertilisers.

As part of the BRICS Agriculture Working Group meeting, delegates from participating countries also visited a rural market centre (‘haat’), where they were briefed on initiatives linked to Madhya Pradesh’s agricultural diversity, natural farming, agro-processing and rural entrepreneurship.

During the visit, they learned about local agricultural products, including value-added banana products from Burhanpur district, GI-tagged Chinnaur rice from Balaghat and GI-tagged Sundarja mangoes from Rewa.

The delegates also showed interest in traditional crops from Jhabua, rare varieties of ‘Shri Anna’ (millets) preserved in Mandla, medicinal crops from Neemuch and other products derived from natural farming.

The BRICS Agriculture Working Group meeting, being held under India’s presidency, will continue until June 11.

BRICS is a prominent intergovernmental organisation whose member nations include Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Indonesia.