Dr.Ashok Kumar Panigrahi

Earth worms since ages are known to be the friends of farmers although their exact role in soil fertility enhancements are known recently. Of all the worms, only the epigeic worms are of substantial benefit to the farmers because feeding on humus they produce potentially high quality vermicompost rich in all the three primary plant nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potash in available forms.

Current Agriculrure is non sustainable because it is highly purchased input orient. It promotos agrochemicals which is injurious to soil health and human health. Sustainable Agriculture eliminates or minimizes purchased inputs. All inputs are onfarm generated and healthy for both the soil and the consumer. It extends the life of soil and the consumers. The food so produce is tasty and healthy. Such an agriculture can run from millenia with ever increasing soil fertility indices.

Earthworms are known as the friends of farmers since Darwin. But it is only recently that their full potentialities have been evaluated and they are being used in growing food almost every where in the world. There are a total of about 4400 earthworm species known but only a countable are being employed in agriculture. The article explains every details of these agriculturally important earthworms and suggest the best way to derive maximum benefit out of them.

Disaster is a catastrophe, mishap, calamity or grave occurrence affecting an area, arising from natural or manmade causes, or by accident or negligence which results in substantial loss of life or human suffering or damage to, and destruction of, property, or damage to, or degradation of, environment, and is of such a nature or magnitude as beyond the coping capacity of the community of the affected area. Disaster mitigation in agriculture is essential.Education has an important role in it.

For eastern India year 2009 is an El Nino year meaning there will be less rainfall this year. Till date precipitation received is so meagre that kharif cultivation is yet to start, even if it is the end of first week of July. Kharif cultivation appears to be hard hit. Food security in the entire region is highly threatened.

Biodiversity is the nature's gift to mankind.Plant diversity is reciprocal to animal diversity and both are important to man for its very survival. Currently biodersity is under threat. Biodiversity together with ecosystem diversity and population diversity are in the decline. Without biodiversity and with one species dominating the eco system is threatened and is bound to perish beyond its carrying capacity.

Municipal solid waste management has been a poblemetic issue in most tropical countries of the world. MSW, if properly managed, can be a source of energy and soil fertility enhancing vermi compost and its faulty management can spread epidemics. The author wishes to throw some light as to how MSW can be better managed.

Modern agri practices have resulted in crops that are seral community,the GM crops have failed, the food is devoid of Vit.A&C, zinc & copper, manganese, nickel & cobalt, contains more carbohydrate and less protein all due to the applications of ACFs, pests show more resistances, pesticides result in more human deaths than pests. Sustainable agriculture produce healthy and tasty food, the B:C ratios are high. There is no chance of hman death in this agriculture.

Sustainable development is defined as the process of development that meets the need of the present generation without compromising the ability of the future generations to meet their need.

Organic agriculture is about more than just growing crops without using either chemical fertilizers and synthetic pesticides, rather it a holistic approach to the very system of farming that restores, maintains and enhances economical sustainability and ecological balance generating non toxic, healthy and tasty food or medicine or dye with natural fragrance and colour.