Win some, lose some

to the dismay of many environmentalists, it seems that a potent ozone-depleting pesticide scheduled for a gradual phase-out would be retained after all. us researchers have found that emissions of the agricultural fumigant gas methyl bromide could be reduced to what they claim are insignificant levels by applying composted manure and a novel plastic cover to soil before the gas is injected. The manure expedites the breakdown of the gas to harmless products such as methyl alcohol and bromide ions dissolved in water.

CHINA

Two broad categories of organic fertilities - 'New Manor', for growing fruits and vegetables, and 'Green Manor' for cultivating grains obtained by recycling garbage - have been developed by a Beijing-based private firm. Research on the fertiliser technology began in 1994, and encouraged by the early results in 1996, the Taishan Green Products Manufacturing Company is now planning to expand its activity in other regions.

Holy shit!

The Dutch plan of using India as a dung dump has been debunked. Import of the highly contaminated cattle dung as manure, had been banned by the Indian government last September, but it took the agriculture and fertiliser ministries several months of dithering to finally say no to a persistent Dutch businessman who offered upto 6 guilders per tonne for Indian farmers to take the shit off his hands. Farmers back in the Netherlands, are reported to offer as much as 20 guilders per tonne for the dung disposal.

Biodegradable plastic

IN THE near future, plastic won't be an environmental pejorative. The Japan Corn Starch Co Ltd, in collaboration with US business firm Grand River Technologies of Michigan, will produce a fully biodegradable plastic from corn starch that decomposes readily and can be used as compost for the corn crop (New Technology Japan, Vol 21, No 9).

Boost to ecofriendly farming

THE UNION government has sanctioned a Rs 10.16 crore plan for the popularisation of biopesticides. This comes on the heels of a large outlay for organic farming announced in the present five-year plan. The project, proposed by the department of biotechnology (DBT) and approved on January 24, envisages the setting up of 50 pilot units in two stages during the eighth five-year plan. In addition, private entrepreneurs will be extended help to set up biopesticide manufacturing units.

Green revolution in the offing

If an initiative by the department of biotechnology (DBT) to push ecofriendly biofertilisers succeeds, it will revolutionise Indian agriculture and loosen the hold of chemical fertilisers.

Benefitting twice over

IN TAMIL Nadu, some municipal corporations have begun to sell organic manure to farmers. This not only solves the problem of waste disposal but also supplements their budgets. In 1992-93, the Thanjavur municipal corporation sold 11,790 tonnes of organic manure for Rs 1.69 lakh.

Complementarity begets productivity

Simultaneous cultivation of several crops , using organic manures and pesticides, can raise productivity, says Karnataka's L Narayana Reddy.

Tourism threatened

SOLID waste is piling up in the Nepalese capital, Kathmandu. Entrepreneurs whose businesses are based on tourism say the country will lose tourists -- its major foreign exchange earner -- if the situation does not improve soon. Garbage disposal has been a problem since erstwhile West Germany, which had earlier taken on the task, handed it back to Nepal in July this year.

Whre science and tradition join hands

WHAT DISTINGUISHES the Gloria Land (GL) farm of Pondicherry's Aurobindo Ashram and the farm run by Julie and Vivek Cariappa near Mysore from that of their neighbours, is that a mash of leaves, cattle dung and a carefully chosen mix of crops have displaced inorganic fertilisers and pesticides completely. Yet production has not been affected.