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Subtle Agroecologies
In the event of pest damage, farmers in the group interview explained that a farmer may enter a
state of meditation with the aim of achieving pure soul consciousness. This feeling of soul purity is
then vibrated onto the crop as being full of health and divine light and therefore capable of resisting the pests. On Tapovan farm, a case was reported where parrots were causing partial damage to
fruits, and the farmer meditated and established a communication with the parrots, inviting them to
eat some whole fruits and to leave others intact. This was reportedly successful. SYA was premised
on the notion that the farm is not only for human beings but that animals and all other living things
should also be accepted and have their rightful place on the farm.
While the SYA farmers in the group interview reported following the astrological calendar as
part of their cultural tradition, Tapovan farm respondents explained that meditation rather than
external infuences was considered the primary force for ensuring crop health. Nevertheless, the
SYA farmers felt that performing the meditation and sending love to distressed plants supported the
use of traditional remedies, which, according to them, were generally effective.
According to respondents at Tapovan farm, the aim of teaching Raja Yoga meditation is to cultivate
in farmers a feeling of connection to God, Self, the Motherland and cows – the holy animal of India, and
that this inner transformation of the farmer will in turn transform the farm through right thinking and
action. The early morning meditation takes place near the ‘Flag of Shiva’, which is hoisted in the feld,
and the visible results of the meditation typically manifest in around 2–3 months.
PHYSICAL SYA PRACTICES
As well as meditation and focused intent, organic farming techniques are applied. These include
companion planting and integrated pest management (RDW, 2009). Such techniques were visible
on Tapovan farm alongside rotations and the use of green manures. From a physical perspective, the
red and yellow ‘Flag of Shiva’ also acts as a deterrent to grasshoppers, which allegedly lay eggs on
the yellow part of the fag and subsequently perish (RDW, 2009: 44).
The production of home-made farm inputs is encouraged, and the SYA Manual provides instructions on how to prepare 11 specifc soil, bacterial inoculation, pest management and fungicide
preparations based on traditional practices using cow by-products and other local materials (RDW,
2009: 31–24). One such preparation is ‘Jeevamrut’, an organic liquid fertiliser. Farmers in the group
interview concurred that it was vital to have a healthy soil with a good carbon content and microbial
population, and this was attained through composted cow manure, cover crops and ‘Jeevamrut’ that
serves as an inoculate of benefcial microbes.
Farmers explained that the use of tractors should be avoided as these compact the soil and that
bullocks should be used instead, which are gentler to ‘Mother Earth’ (farmer group interview). The
Brahma Kumaris believe that cows are integral to agriculture. Nevertheless, a tractor was used on
the demonstration SYA farm as it was under pressure to produce food for the thousands of visitors
to the Mt. Abu Headquarters (Tapovan farm).
FARMERS’ CODE OF CONDUCT
As well as the metaphysical and physical farming practices, SYA also comprises a specifc code of
conduct for farmers. This includes adherence to a pure vegetarian diet, the practice of abstinence
from carnal desires, the avoidance of drugs and alcohol, goodwill towards others, remembrance of
God and the early morning meditations (RDW, 2009: 44).
WHAT ARE THE IMPACTS OF SYA FARMING METHODS?
Results of Published Research Trials on the Impacts of SYA
According to Ramsay (2012c), the frst SYA feld trials were launched in India in 2009 by the
Brahma Kumaris Spiritual University, involving 400 farmers from the central and northern regions.
Subtle Agroecologies
In the event of pest damage, farmers in the group interview explained that a farmer may enter a
state of meditation with the aim of achieving pure soul consciousness. This feeling of soul purity is
then vibrated onto the crop as being full of health and divine light and therefore capable of resisting the pests. On Tapovan farm, a case was reported where parrots were causing partial damage to
fruits, and the farmer meditated and established a communication with the parrots, inviting them to
eat some whole fruits and to leave others intact. This was reportedly successful. SYA was premised
on the notion that the farm is not only for human beings but that animals and all other living things
should also be accepted and have their rightful place on the farm.
While the SYA farmers in the group interview reported following the astrological calendar as
part of their cultural tradition, Tapovan farm respondents explained that meditation rather than
external infuences was considered the primary force for ensuring crop health. Nevertheless, the
SYA farmers felt that performing the meditation and sending love to distressed plants supported the
use of traditional remedies, which, according to them, were generally effective.
According to respondents at Tapovan farm, the aim of teaching Raja Yoga meditation is to cultivate
in farmers a feeling of connection to God, Self, the Motherland and cows – the holy animal of India, and
that this inner transformation of the farmer will in turn transform the farm through right thinking and
action. The early morning meditation takes place near the ‘Flag of Shiva’, which is hoisted in the feld,
and the visible results of the meditation typically manifest in around 2–3 months.
PHYSICAL SYA PRACTICES
As well as meditation and focused intent, organic farming techniques are applied. These include
companion planting and integrated pest management (RDW, 2009). Such techniques were visible
on Tapovan farm alongside rotations and the use of green manures. From a physical perspective, the
red and yellow ‘Flag of Shiva’ also acts as a deterrent to grasshoppers, which allegedly lay eggs on
the yellow part of the fag and subsequently perish (RDW, 2009: 44).
The production of home-made farm inputs is encouraged, and the SYA Manual provides instructions on how to prepare 11 specifc soil, bacterial inoculation, pest management and fungicide
preparations based on traditional practices using cow by-products and other local materials (RDW,
2009: 31–24). One such preparation is ‘Jeevamrut’, an organic liquid fertiliser. Farmers in the group
interview concurred that it was vital to have a healthy soil with a good carbon content and microbial
population, and this was attained through composted cow manure, cover crops and ‘Jeevamrut’ that
serves as an inoculate of benefcial microbes.
Farmers explained that the use of tractors should be avoided as these compact the soil and that
bullocks should be used instead, which are gentler to ‘Mother Earth’ (farmer group interview). The
Brahma Kumaris believe that cows are integral to agriculture. Nevertheless, a tractor was used on
the demonstration SYA farm as it was under pressure to produce food for the thousands of visitors
to the Mt. Abu Headquarters (Tapovan farm).
FARMERS’ CODE OF CONDUCT
As well as the metaphysical and physical farming practices, SYA also comprises a specifc code of
conduct for farmers. This includes adherence to a pure vegetarian diet, the practice of abstinence
from carnal desires, the avoidance of drugs and alcohol, goodwill towards others, remembrance of
God and the early morning meditations (RDW, 2009: 44).
WHAT ARE THE IMPACTS OF SYA FARMING METHODS?
Results of Published Research Trials on the Impacts of SYA
According to Ramsay (2012c), the frst SYA feld trials were launched in India in 2009 by the
Brahma Kumaris Spiritual University, involving 400 farmers from the central and northern regions.