Biodynamic Farming: A Promising Path towards Tomorrow‟s Sustainable Agriculture

Bio-dynamics is a holistic, ecological and ethical approach to farming, gardening, food and nutrition. Biodynamic farming is a form of alternative agriculture very similar to organic farming, but it includes various esoteric concepts drawn from the ideas of Rudolf Steiner. Biodynamics has much in common with other organic approaches. It emphasizes the use of manures and compost, and excludes the use of artificial chemicals on soil and plants. As of 2016, biodynamic techniques were used on 161,074 hectares in 60 countries. The biodynamic movement has reached India in the early 90’s when Peter Proctor, a farmer from New Zealand working with biodynamic agriculture since 1965 was asked to come to India by T.G.K. Menon of Indore in 1993 to teach Indian farmers about biodynamic farming. Unlike most modern agricultural techniques, this practice is entirely environmentally and socially sustainable. Some researchers believe that a “large-scale shift towards biodynamic farming would not only increase the world's food supply, but might be the only way to eradicate hunger”. Biodynamic agriculture is indeed a very sustainable agricultural practice in terms of environmental and social sustainability, where this practice lacks in economic sustainability. It is one of the most environmental friendly farming practices in the world and is well on its way to being one of the sustainable options for the future. So, more and more researches need to be conducted, in order to sustain the world’s supply of food through organic means.


INTRODUCTION
Biodynamic Farming-The first consciously organized organic movement. Biodynamic agriculture is a form of alternative agriculture very similar to organic farming, but it includes various esoteric concepts drawn from the ideas of Rudolf Steiner . Initially developed since 1924, it was the first of the organic agriculture movements. It treats soil fertility, plant growth, and livestock care as ecologically interrelated tasks, emphasizing spiritual and mystical perspectives.
 Treat manure and compost in a biodynamic way, and have knowledge of enzymes and hormones. Bio-dynamics has much in common with other organic approaches. It emphasizes the use of manures and composts and excludes the use of artificial chemicals on soil and plants. Biodynamic agriculture uses various herbal and mineral additives for compost additives and field sprays; these are sometimes prepared by controversial methods, such as burying ground quartz stuffed into the horn of a cow, which are said to harvest "cosmic forces in the soil", that are more akin to sympathetic magic than agronomy.

WORLD SCENARIO OF BIODYNAMIC FARMING
As of 2016 biodynamic techniques were used on 161,074 hectares in 60 countries. Germany accounts for more than 50% of the global total; the remainder average 1750 ha per country. Biodynamic methods of cultivating grapevines have been taken up by several notable vineyards. There are certification agencies for biodynamic products, most of which are members of the international bio-dynamics standards group Demeter International.
Today bio-dynamics is practiced worldwide and in a variety of circumstances, ranging from temperate arable farming, viticulture in France, cotton production in Egypt, to silkworm breeding in China. Demeter International is the primary certification agency for farms and gardens using the methods.

BIODYNAMIC MOVEMENT IN INDIA
Biodynamic Association of India (BDAI), situated in Bangalore has taken the charge of promoting and coordinating the biodynamic movement in India. The movement has reached India in the early 90"s when Peter Proctor, a farmer from New Zealand working with biodynamic agriculture since 1965 was asked to come to India by T.G.K. Menon of Indore in 1993 to teach Indian farmers about biodynamic farming. Places among the first initiatives were Kuriniji farms near Kodaikenal, Maikaal cotton project in Madhya Predesh and the tea projects in Darjeeling and south India. Presently, places where BD farming has been followed extensively are Mysore (ISKON farm), Gujurat (Bhaikaka Krishi Kendra), Tamilnadu (Nandanvan est., Balmadies est.) etc.

BIODYNAMIC CERTIFICATION
"Healing the planet through agriculture" Biodynamic certification is the process by which a farm is officially certified to produce biodynamic products by following BD methodologies. The certification process involves contacting a certifying agency, contracting with them for an inspection of the farm by their inspector and based upon their inspection a certified certificate is passed which is subject to renewal after a certain period of time. This certification is really important in case of global export market.
The term Biodynamic is a trademark held by the Demeter association of biodynamic farmers for the purpose of maintaining production standards used both in farming and processing foodstuffs. The trademark is intended to protect both the consumer and the producers of biodynamic produce. Demeter International an organization of member countries; each country has its own Demeter organization which is required to meet international production standards (but can also exceed them). The original Demeter organization was founded in 1928; the U.S. Demeter Association was formed in the 1980s and certified its first farm in 1982. In France, Biodivin certifies biodynamic wine. In Egypt, SEKEM has created the Egyptian Biodynamic Association (EBDA), an association that provides training for farmers to become certified. As of 2006, more than 200 wineries worldwide were certified as biodynamic; numerous other wineries employ biodynamic methods to a greater or lesser extent.
India is working with international biodynamic farming agencies to facilitate an internationally recognised set of standards to be used during the inspection of farms desiring biodynamic certification.

Biodynamic agriculture Vs Organic farming
The main differences between biodynamic and organic farming standards are:  The farm is viewed as a close loop system Biodynamic farms should remain as enclosed from their surrounding ecosystems as far as possible. A fundamental principle which a biodynamic farm works towards is thus to be a 'closed loop' system that does not need to purchase feed or fertility from external suppliers, or one that is stretched beyond its natural capacity. In other words, where an organic farm may purchase organic seeds or organic feed for livestock, a biodynamic farm must produce everything on the premises.  Composting is supreme The use of compost and manures enriched with biodynamic herbal preparations is unique to biodynamic farming.  Biodynamic farmers have a tool box of natural remedies to support their farms The use of biodynamic herbal and mineral preparations to improve the health and vitality of land and crops is also unique to biodynamic farming.  Biodynamic farmers often use a planting calendar Biodynamic farms are structured around lunar and astrological cycles that are said to affect the biological systems. Though not obligatory, a biodynamic astronomical calendar is can be consulted to help access optimum times for sowing, planting etc.  Integrate all the living organisms within the system, including plants, livestock and farmers Plants, livestock and farmers are integrated within the system as a single organism.  Soil is seen as the central component Improvement of plant health through soil health so, here soil is the major component which is taken care of properly.

Integration of crop and livestock Homeopathy
Tillage and cultivation Radionics

THE BIODYNAMIC PREPARATIONS
A distinguishing feature of biodynamic farming is the use of nine biodynamic preparations described by Steiner for the purpose of enhancing soil quality and stimulating plant life. They consist of mineral, plant or animal manure extracts usually fermented and applied in small proportions to compost, manures, the soil, or directly onto plants, after dilution and stirring procedures called dynamizations. The original biodynamic (BD) preparations are numbered 500−508.

FIELD PREPARATION
Field preparations, for stimulating humus formation:  500: (Cow horn-manure) a humus mixture prepared by filling the horn of a cow with cow manure and burying it in the ground (40-60 cm below the surface) in the autumn. It is left to decompose during the winter and recovered for use the following spring.  501:(Cow horn-silica) Crushed powdered quartz prepared by stuffing it into a horn of a cow and buried into the ground in spring and taken out in autumn. It can be mixed with 500 but usually prepared on its own (mixture of 1 tablespoon of quartz powder to 250 litters of water) The mixture is sprayed under very low pressure over the crop during the wet season, in an attempt to prevent fungal diseases. It should be sprayed on an overcast day or early in the morning to prevent burning of the leaves. The application rate of the biodynamic field spray preparations (i.e., 500 and 501) are 300 grams per hectare of horn manure and 5 grams per hectare of horn silica. These are made by stirring the ingredients into 20-50 litres of water per hectare for an hour, using a prescribed method.

COMPOST PREPARATIONS
Compost preparations, used for preparing compost, employ herbs which are frequently used in medicinal remedies. Many of the same herbs are used in organic practices to make foliar fertilizers, turned into the soil as green manure, or in composting. The preparations include: Well as enhance and strengthen the life (etheric) forces on the farm. The preparations are used in homeopathic quantities, meaning they produce an effect in extremely diluted amounts. As an example, just 1/16th ounce a level teaspoon of each compost preparation is added to seven-to ten-ton piles of compost. In India, the pancha gavya and amritha karaisal which are part of organic farming is also practiced in bio-dynamic farming. THE PLANTING CALENDAR RHYTHMS Many Biodynamic farmers refer to the astronomical calendar when planning activities such as pruning, cultivating, harvesting, and spraying the preparations. The Planting Calendar is about RHYTHMS -Cosmic solar & lunar/moon rhythms and Earth rhythms. It is an aid to our conscious and purposeful participation in these rhythms.

USES FIVE SOURCES OF ENERGY
These are rhythms that sustain all life on Earth. Biodynamic farmers strive to bring life back into the soil, so that the food produced from this living soil has increased life force/vitality/ nutrition, enhancing the quality of human life. properties. The parameters are analysed before manuring, after manuring and after harvesting the crops. They observed that the physicochemical properties score higher after manuring while the microbial population count is more during post harvest condition.  In Table No. 2. Vatsala 2002, Perumal et al.2016 Chromatographic analysis is done in order to separate the different fractions in 0.1% alkali-water solutions (sodium hydroxide), which were subjected to Whatman No.1 filter paper analysis. In the chromatograms of carrots there were three zones inner, middle and the outer which reflect the presence of mineral, starch and proteins respectively. The chromatograms of biodynamically grown carrot showed a prominent inner zone (3.5 cm diameter) than that of the inner zone of conventional carrot (2 cm), which clearly indicated qualitative and quantitative differences in the availability of minerals. The spikes protruding from the middle zone towards the outer zone are caused by proteins. The chromatographic images of soils indicated the improved condition of soil health. The chromatogram of soil (initial) indicated absence of the outer zone which reflect the lack of colloidal substances. The middle zone was faint, brown in colour and lack of forms that were mainly due to the availability of less organic material. The inner zone was comparatively larger and contains hardly any mineral sign. In Table No. 3. Study was conducted on some chemical and biological properties of soil under biodynamic farming after two years of farming in CISH, Lucknow (R. K. Pathak and R. A. Ram, 2016). The study revealed that after two years of farming there is remarkable increase in available P, K, organic carbon content and also microbial colony of yeast, mould and bacteria is very high.  -trial" in Sweden (1958-90) which is a long-term experiment and they found out that amount of total carbon is highest in case of biodynamic farming that is 160 t C/ha and also depth wise amount of carbon is increasing as we go from surface to deeper layer as that of other farming systems like organic, NPK medium and NPK high.  (2009) studied Soil carbon sequestration benefits of biodynamic farming over organic farming. They compared two long term experiment that is 33 years of "K-trial" of Sweden and 28 years of "DOK-trial" of Switzerland under organic and biodynamic farming in different depth of soil. They found that there is higher amount of carbon sequestered in case of biodynamic farming. Increasing the amount of carbon stored in vegetation and soil (also called carbon sequestration) is a preventative measure toward slowing carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) build-up in the atmosphere. Soil organic carbon was maintained at the same level and even showed a small gain in the BD system at the DOK trial and K trial, whereas the organic farming systems had a net loss of soil organic carbon.  In Table No. 7. L. M. Condron et al. in 2010 studied the Soil microbial properties of five production systems in a field experiment after two crop rotations. They found out that all that soil microbial properties like microbial biomass, microbial respiration and activity of the soil enzymes are highest in case of biodynamic farming than that of other farming systems. Microbial population in BD preparations was found to be substantial, mainly in BD preparations 502 and 506. Several bacterial and fungal strains showed a potential for suppressing fungal plant pathogens. This could also be the reason for the significant and clear-cut difference in dehydrogenase , protease and phosphatise activities with respect to the farming systems and highest values were measured for the BD system. stage, T 6 = Application of Amrithakaraisal with water @ 1250 lit/ha at transplanting, active tillering and PI stage T 8 = T 1 + T 4 , T 10 = T 1 + T 6 . Here, T 1 and T 2 represents organic system of farming while T 8 and T 10 represents biodynamic system of farming. Soil properties like available P, activity of DHA, FDA, PMA and microbial carbon is highest under T 8 and T 10 than T 1 and T 2 .  In Table No. 10. Sharma and co-workers (2012) studied the effect of biodynamic manure (BD 500 and BD 501) in combination with vermicompost and farm yard manure on growth and yield of cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.). The result showed that the application of BD 500 and BD 501 along with either FYM @ 6t/ha or vermicompost @ 2t/ha recorded a significant increase of 20.56% and 12.85% in seed yield of cumin over the application of FYM @ 6t/ha and vermicompost @ 2t/ha alone, respectively. In Table No. 11. D.J. Nath et al. in 2016 studied the effect of panchgavya and amritha karaisal on rice varieties viz. Bokul and Badsha Bhog under organic condition. The treatments taken into consideration are T 1 = FYM (5 t/ha) + Rock Phosphate (100 kg/ha), T 2 = FYM (5 t/ha) + Rock Phosphate (100 kg/ha) + Microbial consortium (including Zn solubilizer), T 4 = Application of Panchagavya with water @ 50 lit/ha at transplanting, active tillering and PI stage, T 6 = Application of Amrithakaraisal with water @ 1250 lit/ha at transplanting, active tillering and PI stag, T 8 = T 1 + T 4 , T 10 = T 1 + T 6 , T 12 = Control. T 10 treatment shows highest yield under Bokul variety while T 2 treatment shows highest yield under Badsha Bhog variety and as mean T 10 being the highest.

PRODUCTION OF QUALITY FOOD
In Table No. 12. Rene E Valdez and Pamela G Fernandez in 2008 studied various quality factor of rice in Philippines. They had taken three varieties i.e. Dinorado, PSBRc82, PSBRc72 H for their experiment and found out that most of the parameters are equal or more than that of synthetic and organic.  Penfold and Collins (2015).

LIMITATIONS OF BIODYNAMIC FARMING
Biodynamic farming requires more labour than conventional farming practices, which makes the produce more expensive. It's also not very conducive to mechanization, so it's difficult to practice on a large scale and its distribution is also limited. It can also be seen as a pseudoscience by non-believers, a fact that contributes to a general lack of mainstream acceptance.

BIODYNAMIC FARMING: A SUSTAINABLE OPTION FOR FUTURE ?
The world Commission for environment and development (the Brundtlandt Commission) coined the definition of sustainable development in the year 1987it is defined as development which satisfies the needs of current generations without compromising the needs of future generations (WCED 1987). Currently, there is an ever-growing range of sustainability claims and indicators. Collectively however, all fail to establish operational and practical ways to understand what sustainability actually means, and to deliver it effectively (Guttenstein et al., 2010). As previously stated, it is estimated that the global food demand will double over the next 50 years (Tilman et al., 2002). This means more land will need to be utilised for farming. However, it is reported that half of our planets terrestrial farmland is already being used to its full potential (Carpenter et al., 1998;Tilman et al., 2002). The majority of the earth"s farmland is exploited due to the industrialised nature of our modern farming practices. Once land has been used beyond its carrying capacity, the soil very rarely regenerates back to a fertile state, leaving it barren and useless (Brown & Kane, 1995). This is where biodynamic agriculture can be of a massive advantage to the agriculture sector. Unlike most modern agricultural techniques, this practice is entirely environmentally and socially sustainable. A study by Tavernier & Tolomeo (2008) states that sustainable agriculture is an approach that needs to clearly maximise economic and social benefits while at the same time maintaining environmental quality. Some researchers believe that a "large-scale shift towards biodynamic farming would not only increase the world's food supply, but might be the only way to eradicate hunger"

CONCLUSION
Biodynamic agriculture has been around since the 1920"s, however it is still very much in its infancy. Every day it is being developed and is slowly becoming incorporated into the modern agricultural world. Despite the mystery and criticism that surrounds biodynamic agriculture, the practice itself is as sustainable and self sufficient as you can get in this current era. Biodynamic agriculture is indeed a very sustainable agricultural practice in terms of environmental and social sustainability, where this practice lacks in economic sustainability. It is one of the most environmental friendly farming practices in the world and is well on its way to being one of the sustainable options for the future. Many research showed that BD farming improves soil health and fertility (Perumal & Vatsala 2002, Condron et al. 2010, sequester higher amount of carbon on long term basis (Turinek et al., 2009) which helps to combat climate change, provides better or equal yield potential than that of other farming systems (Sharma et al. 2012, Pathak & Ram 2016, produces quality food with better taste (Penfold &Collins 2016 , Valdez andFernandez, 2008), manage insect and pest in a eco-friendly manner. Furthermore, for biodynamic agriculture to exist as one of our future sustainable options more research would need to be conducted and more information needs to be made open to the public. The world of biodynamic agriculture is still a much closed community; and because of this the public can still be very sceptical. Nevertheless, we cannot keep relying on conventional agriculture when it causes so much damage to our fragile planet. Even still, right now it is practical to continue in this way, as it is the main supplier of our food. Until we have the ability to rely on sustainable methods for farming, we need conventional agriculture to meet our global food demand.