FOR PRIVATE CIRCULATION ONLY
A Journey to India 2017 BIODYNE
Newsletter of the Biodynamic Association of India
Namaste!
We bid goodbye to a momentous
2017 and present our special issue
of Biodyne featuring the incredible
journey to India by the Circle of
Representatives in November 2017
and participation in the 14th Organic
World Congress (OWC) held at Delhi
NCR.
As we build the narrative of this
journey, the brew of memories,
digital images, messages and notes
brings to life the exuberance of the
kindred spirits who shared this life
experience.
As hosts, on behalf of the
Biodynamic Association of India
(BDAI), for most of us, this was a
first contact with the
representatives of the global
biodynamic movement. And our
common purpose found no time in
creating a deep human connect at
the thinking, feeling and doing level.
Our individual soul journeys met in a
time-space matrix, potent with the
birth of new relationships, initiatives
and alliances.
Any narration by a storyteller,
presents a version of the archetypal
story. Good stories can be told and
re-told and so there will be many
versions narrated by different
storytellers. And so, as I present this
version for Biodyne, I must balance
many emergent versions from
different journeymen. We will hold
each one as a precious part of an
integral whole. I had to balance the
different axes woven into the story
canvas - memories of our
togetherness in different arenas, the
story of our local hosts, the BD
contribution to the OWC and
showcasing BD India’s growth in the
past twenty years. The balance is
delicate because the audience of
this issue of Biodyne is diversified,
both in terms of the diversity in the
stakeholders and the geographical
outreach stretching from our
member-farmer in a remote village
in India to the global BD movement
represented at Dornach.
SPECIAL ISSUE
incorporating
Two themes are emergent, Nov-Dec 2017 issue
introduced so eloquently by the
co-leaders of the Section for
Agriculture, Goetheanum.
Contents
• Ueli Hurter speaks on the BD
outreach of a central impulse from
Introduction
the Goetheanum going out to the
world. And after reaching out, 2 The Journey to India
bringing back the picture of the
ground realities and questions Gujarat
from farmers, to the central forum. 3 Meeting of the Circle of
Representatives, Nov 2017
• Jean Michel-Florin speaks about
interfacing with the other organic
farming movements. To
understand, through empathetic 4 Host Farm
Bhaikaka Krishi Kendra
listening, what other philosophies
are presented to solve the shared Showcase
critical questions that we face for
ecology of the Earth and
5 Timbuktu Collective
Karmuhil Organic Farms
sustainable agriculture.
These themes balance the internal
and the external environments of 6 OWC 2017
BD presentations
the global BD movement.
The introduction of the organic India Uttarakhand
mark, ‘Jaivik Bharat’ led by the Food 7 Listen to the Farmer, SARG
Safety and Standards Authority of
India (FSSAI) will give a great fillip to
About Us
local farmer-led certification and the
creation of an ‘organic integrity’ 8 Biodynamic Assoc. of India
database to regulate the organic
certification sector. The BDAI will BIODYNAMIC ASSOCIATION OF INDIA
play a pivotal role in promoting
OFFICE BEARERS
Demeter in India and a nascent idea
to create a Demeter Public President Sarvdaman Patel
Vice President Evelyn Daniels
Guarantee System for India has Treasurer C.S. Mani
germinated. Secretary Sundeep Kamath
The journey of the BDAI is that of a MANAGING COMMITTEE
‘bud to shoot’ spanning over twenty Ajit Mathai, Girish Krishnamurthy,
years. Our OD exercise, in progress Jayachandran Krishnareddy,
since 2016, shifts our strategy focus Perumal Karuppan, Ramabadhran Gopalan,
Sanjay Doctor, Vikash Abraham
from our legacy of the pioneering
spirit of the founders to that of a 5- DEMETER CERTIFICATION OFFICE
year roadmap that sees us wealthy Coordinator: Krishnan V.
and in abundance to bring to fruition Members: Lucas Dengel,
Mahesh Melvin,
all our dreams and aspirations Anbu P.
aligned to our vision and mission.
The shoot, from the seeds planted
BIODYNE
by Peter Proctor and Rachel
Pomeroy, New Zealand, now find Editor: Sanjay Doctor
their place in the solar-space of a Please send your contributions
global Sun. May a hundred moons and suggestions to:
biodyne@biodynamics.in
reflect the light of the earthly
impulse. BIODYNE is published bi-monthly by
Secretary, BDAI, from #20, 16th “C” Main,
With best wishes for 2018, 2nd ‘A’ Cross, 4th Block, Koramangala,
Sanjay Doctor | Editor Bengaluru 560 034, INDIA
www.biodynamics.in
 Special Issue OWC 2017


Section for Agriculture, School of Spiritual Science at the
Goetheanum, Dornach, Switzerland.
The main task is to coordinate
and give new impulses to the
worldwide biodynamic movement.
To facilitate individuals to take
responsibility in agriculture,
gardening, nutrition, processing,
trade, public relations and inner
work.
The team at the Goetheanum, (Lto R): Therese Jung, Ueli Hurter, Verena Wahl, Jasmin Peschke, Jean Michel-Florin. Pic: Michèle Melzer
Circle of Represesentatives
The Circle of Representatives is
currently made up of about 69
members from 18 countries. 
 continuing as a full scale
Task
It has been the task of the circle to
lead and sustain a consciousness
of the whole biodynamic
movement and to strengthen this
consciousness through visits to
various countries. 

Meeting
The circle meets twice a year for
three days each time. These
meetings take place before the
Agriculture Conference at the
Goetheanum, and in Autumn at the
Goetheanum or abroad. 
 Enroute, Delhi. Departure
Annual theme
An annual theme addresses the
spiritual life of the movement. This
theme is taken up in the
newsletter, and is the focal point of
an annual agricultural conference
that draws ~ 700 participants.
Circle of Representatives with BD presenters and delegates to OWC 2018 along with BDAI hosts
www.biodynamics.in
JOURNEY TO INDIA
“We aim to make the insights
gained visible and available for
the individual interested farmer
and the public. That is our
contribution to an agriculture
that is an agri-culture in the
widest possible sense”.
Nov 2017 - An Incredible Journey to India
This is the first meeting of the
Circle to be held outside Europe, year ago when Sundeep Kamath,
participation as delegates and
presenters in the Organic World
Congress held at New Delhi NCR.
Then it led to Uttrakhand State,
Himalayas for meeting farmers,
policy makers and field agencies.
 meeting and journey details.
Biodynamic Association of India
BIODYNE
Task for the Section Global Network
To coordinate and give new Maintain a worldwide network
impulses to the biodynamic with individuals and associations
movement worldwide. To do so in many countries such as
by stimulating individuals to take Demeter enterprises, research,
on responsibility in agriculture, consultancy and training
gardening, processing, and trade, institutions, with foundations in
in nutrition, inner work, and public biodynamics and with other
relations. professional fields such as
medicine and pedagogy.
Activities
• Organize courses, seminars, working groups, conferences, lecture
tours and publications for people who seek to deepen their knowledge
of agriculture out of anthroposophical spiritual science.
• Carry out research and development projects.
• Coordination Center for Nutrition for insights iin healthy and
responsible diets intitiatives from all over the world.
Date Details
The idea germinated almost a
3 Arrival India
Secretary of the BDAI, addressed 4 - 7 Circle meeting @BKK
the Agriculture Conference 2017
at Dornach and presented the 7 Arrival New Delhi
biodynamic initiaitives in India. He
8 Pre-OWC meeting
then made a follow-up visit in July
- August, 2017 to finalise the 9-11 OWC + BIOFACH
12-13 IFOAM Gen. Assembly
12 Taj Mahal Agra Tour
13 Arrival Naukitaal, Uttrakhand
14 Meet Farmers @ SARG
15 Visit to SARG Centre, Farm
16-17 India
17-18 Spinoff: Auroville
19 Spinoff: Akshaykalpa Dairy
Project, Bangalore
20 Spinoff: Timbaktu Collective
Made possible with the support
of : • Ueli Hurter, Jean Michel-
Florin and Varena Wahl at the
Agriculture Section • Christoph
Simpfendörfer, General Secretary
Demeter International, in
Stuttgart • Nikolai Fuchs, Head of
the GLS Treuhand in Bochum
• Alexander Gerber, Head of
Demeter Germany• Markus
Arbenz, Executive Director, IFOAM
• Andreas Quiring, CEO Andreas
Hermes Akademie.
2
 Special Issue OWC 2017
04-07 Nov 2017
Bhaikaka Krishi Kendra,
Gujarat, India
Meeting of the Circle of
Representatives,
Agriculture Section,
School of Spiritual
Science, Goetheanum
Sundeep Kamath, secretary BDAI extends a warm welcome to the Circle.
World Cafe | Getting To Know Each Other
1. How did I come in contact with BD agriculture?
2. What is the burning question in BD agriculture?
3. What will I contribute to the BD movement in the
next 7 years?
Presentation
How can East and West cross
•Eastern cultures anchor the self /
fertilize each other culturally?
Purvi Shah-Paulini,
OE and expert
trainer, Andreas
Hermes Akademie,
• West cultures anchor the self /
Germany
Don’t
• adapt cultures, but
benefit from their diversity.
Sarvdaman Patel demonstrating the flowforms at the farm
www.biodynamics.in
CIRCLE MEETING
individual in the collectivistic
society.The individual will step
back with his personal wishes
for those of the collective.
individual in the the
individualistic society. Meaning
making is within.
Biodynamic Association of India
Discussions
Ueli Hurter, Co-leader of
Agriculture Section
Annual BD Conference,
Goetheanum - Outreach
Themes
1.Water: manage, harvest and
irrigation;
2.Seed: save our indegenous
seed diversity;
3.Smaller Farms:towards self
sufficiency.
Who should attend the BD
conference?
•Ambassadors for small farmers;
•leaders of smaller missions.
Zonal Conferences
• Smaller and local conferences
building up to the annual
cpnference at Dornach;
• Listening to what is happening
at the local level;
• Organisers would be working at
this field and in complimentary
movements.
Action Plan
• 2018: Organise Zonal
conferences at global level;
• 2019: Dornach Conference.
BIODYNE
Meditation
Anthroposophical Leading
Thoughts (GA 26) March 1925
Consciousness and Memory
Jean Michel-Florin, Co-leader of
Agriculture Section
Steiner shows us the polarity of
the human being on the level of
our soul in two states:
• Sleeping: I am connected to the
Universe - to the Cosmos but
not conscious. Also, during the
day, I am sleeping in my Will
which is connected to my legs,
my arms, etc. Only my head can
really be awake.
• Waking: I am disconnected
from the Whole and can focus
on only some aspects of the
world. My inner representations
of the world are only shadows
of the Reality.
Presentation
Country Presentations
(illustrative list)
USA
• BD Farming and Gardening
Association - BD conference 2018
at Portland, Oregon.
• Double Affordability Gap
• Social Soil - trust building
• BD Association of N. California :
Seed to Bottle
UK
• BD Seed Cooperative
• BD Land Trust
• National Beekeeping Trust
• Star and Furrow magazine
Europe
• Germany: Eco Young Farmer
Network
• Sweden: BERAS - ecological
regenerative agriculture,
sustainable food societies, diet for
a green planet
Latin America
• Peru, Equador, Brazil, Argentina
and Columbia :Seeds for a New
Agriculture.
Africa
• Namibia, Kenya, Ethopia and
• South Africa
Australia / NZ
• Australia: Annual Report
• New Zealand BD Association
The long journey begins to the OWC
2017, Delhi NCR via Gandhi
Ashram and Ahmedabad airport.
3
 Special Issue OWC 2017 HOST FARM FOR CIRCLE MEETING BIODYNE

Ravipura, District Anand, Holistic In Nature

Gujarat, India. Pin 388440
Healthy Fresh Feed Every Day
Sarvdaman and Meena Patel
Bhaikaka Krishi Kendra (BKK) is named after Sarvdaman’s grandfather, Bhaikaka Patel, the founder of the
university-town, Vallabh Vidyanagar, Gujarat. BKK is a 40 acre integrated, holistic organic and biodynamic
farm that incorporates all aspects of farming like vegetables, cereals, fodder, animals, agro-forestry, water
harvesting, orchards, etc. The main focus of the farm is the dairy of nearly 100 animals and the production of
a rich variety of fodder to feed these animals. The farm produces about 300-350 liters of milk every day and
has been catering to 85 customers and a 500 bed hospital in Vallabh Vidyanagar for last 25 years. The farm
also produces a variety of fruits like chikoo, mango, custard apple, litchi, papaya, mosambi, lime etc. Over 40
different vegetables are grown mostly in the winter months. A variety of cereals & pulses like oats, bajra,
barley, wheat are grown. Carefully designed trenches & ponds ensure that all the rain water is harvested.
Peter Proctor and Rachel Pomeroy, pioneers of biodynamic training in India lived her farm for a year in 2006
and helped turn this organic farm into a vibrant biodynamic farm.

Bhaikaka Krishi Kendra

A vision and dedication spanning
20 years to demonstrate that
organic farming can be practiced
without sacrificing productivity.
The bounteous earthworm
population, the beautiful
condition of the soil, the health
of the animals, the many winged
visitors that visit the farm are
all testament to the success of
this part of his journey.

Sarvdaman Patel is a renowned

and respected agronomist and a
pioneer of the organic and
biodynamic farming movement
in India. He is the past President
of the Organic Farming
Association of India (OFAI) and
the present President of the
Biodynamic association of India
(BDAI). As gifted communicator Nature Conservancy
and story-teller, his training Vidyanagar Nature Club runs a
workshops are colourful with a program for environmental
large following of apprentices and education, awareness and
trainees. conservation with field trips for
students to see the diverse
Gurukul - School for Organic animal life of the farm.
and Biodynamic Farming
Since 2001, a tradition of extention
Dual Purpose Trench
training has been seeded after the • Water recharging
pioneering BD workshops by Peter • Compost pit
Proctor and Rachel Pomeroy.  The
art and knowledge of sustainable
farming is introduced to small -
marginal farmers and to ‘master
trainers’ in the making. 'The
Gurukul' is modeled on the Guru-
Shishya style of learning. Eager
apprentices have an amazing
opportunity to stay, work and learn
Interns during the Circle Meeting,
on the farm for extended periods. L to R: Cosima,Sophie,Linus and
Interns from all over the world Fabio
spend at least six months learning
skills to take back home and Interns: Vimala and Sophie
Mehul, Nature Conservationist
experience life in rural india.
New Developments
Offerings Post OWC 2017
• Annual training in Organic and • Farm Stays
Biodynamic farming; • Centre for continuing
• Apprenticeship- Long and Short education for art, crafts,
term; kitchen gardening,
• Practicums for Vocational Farm photography and nature
School Practical clubs.
• Workshops, Conferences and • Retreats for yoga and eco-
Seminars. Past Intern: Romain Dall’ava
spirituality
Past Interns: Mariella and Natale
• Organic food fests

www.biodynamics.in Biodynamic Association of India 4

 Special Issue OWC 2017
Chennekothapalli village
Ananthapuramu District
Andhra Pradesh. INDIA
Timbaktu
Collective
Mary Vattamattam C.K. Ganguly
Chairperson Secretary
Muhil Gardens, T. Pudupatty
P.O.,Tirumangalam, Madurai
District, T.N. 625704 India
Karmuhil Organic
Farms
(L to R): Dr. V. Fatima Rani ,
Dr. (Fr. ) Michael Jeyaraj SJ and
Dr. (Fr.) V. Clement Joseph CSsR
1994 | We established a campus
to establish Muhil (Siddha) Health
Center which would function as a
hub for our Trust Activities to
bring Community Health Services,
supported by Mobile Medical Care
Services, from Muhil Gardens to
the people of the villages around
Madurai.
“We were shocked to find that
many farmers had sold their
lands and migrated to the urban
areas for alternative livelihoods.
We were convinced that an
alternative way was possible,
necessary and urgent!”
www.biodynamics.in
SHOWCASE OF BD INDIA OUTREACH BIODYNE
The Last Horizon - Where
the Earth Meets the Sky.
In early 1990, a small group of
activists purchased and located
themselves on a 32 acre, dry,
barren land in one of the most
impoverished and drought-
affected districts of India with the
intention to heal and regenerate
the land and created an agro-
forest habitat. This place was
named TIMBAKTU.
Rural communities take control
of their own lives, govern
themselves and live in social
and gender harmony while
maintaining a sustainable
lifestyle.
From ‘Seeds of Hope’ to Interventions • Participatory Guarantee System
Timbaktu Organics Label •Soil restoration & biomass (PGS) for certification
•2,100 small farmers in 60 regeneration in 10,000 acres; • Cattle purchase support
villages; •Organic farming systems and • Cowshed urine collection pits
•12,000 acres- organic cultivation; packages of practices; and preparing concoctions
•Promote millets, pulses; •Training the Trainers; • Compost Making Initiaitive
•Low external inputs and energy. •Seed Production;
2004 | The Karmuhil Organic
Farms Project sponsored by GLS
Treuhand e. V., Bochum, Germany
on behalf of BMZ Federal Ministry
for Economic Co-op and Devpt.,
was established with Jaison J.
Jerome as consultant, to reclaim
a total of 241 acres of farmlands
belonging to 109 small and tiny
farmers in 12 villages.
On-farm production of Compost,
CPP and Liquid Manure is as per
biodynamic principles . A healthy
cow shed is maintained for
continuous and dependable
supply of quality cow dung.
Soil to Oil 2017 | Rolf and Anne Bucher
Model Farming for Small consulted and quality of the
Farming Families! distilled essential oil now meets
2005 | Training camp by Peter
Waleda quality standards.
Proctor and Rachel Pomeroy 2011 | Aroma project is expanded.
2013 | 1 -Ton capacity steam
distillation unit set up to buy back
the palmarosa grass.
2015 | Karmuhil Producer
Compay Ltd. is registered.
Biodynamic Association of India 5
 Special Issue OWC 2017
09-11 Nov 2017
India Expro Centre,
Delhi NCR, INDIA
Theme: Organic World
through an Organic India
Organised by IFOAM -Organics
International, the global event is
held once every three years in a
different country. It support the
efforts to build solidarity and
advocacy among organic farming
organisations. About 2,500
delegates from 90 countries
participated in the event.
Synergy With OWC 2017
The 9th edition of BIOFACH India
was held for the first time
concurrent to the Congress.
Around 50 international buyers
from Germany, Netherlands, Italy,
France, USA, Canada, Indonesia,
Turkey, Middle-East, China and
South Korea visited the event for
networking and to develop new
procurement sources. The major
categories of interest were spices,
oilseeds, soyabeans, cotton,
herbs, tea, coffee, dehydrated
foods and ready to eat products.
❝ As representatives of the
worldwide BD movement, the
question is how to bring a new
impulse in the world which is
really needed and not ready
made solutions. We have to feel,
to understand, what is needed.
Look with new eyes at the
situation with empathic listening
without judging too quickly.
Then, find the biggest challenges
for the future of earth and
humanity connected to
agriculture. Others, outside of
the BD movement, but in the
organic movement, have the
same questions and what do
their philosophy so to say. Build
alliances work together with this
question. Nobody has the right
answer but all together we can
find a solution for the question ❞.
- Jean Michel-Florin, co-leader,
Section for Agriculture,
Goetheanum.
The unified logo signifies organic food from India and compliance to the National Organic Standards. Jointly promoted by Food and Safety Authority of
India (FSSAI), Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) and Participatory Guarantee System for India (PGS-India).
www.biodynamics.in
OWC 2017 BIODYNE
Conference Date Event Trade Fair
An international conference 184 exhibitors from India and all
discussed current practices- 7-8 Pre-Conference over the world, included private
trends-challenges faced by the Inauguration stakeholders, state pavilions,
organic sector with eminent key 9 Government Boards as well as key
Cultural Evening
national and international OWC Congress, Workshops
certification bodies who exhibited
speakers from relevant sectors. 9-11 BIOFACH INDIA trade fair a diverse range of food and non-
•3 plenary sessions; Seed Festival food organic products. Besides
•Parallel sessions focused on 4 food and beverages, there was
tracks - Main, Farmer, Scientific 12-13 General Assembly (GA) participation from the Natural
and Marketing. care & wellness, organic textiles
Sectors, Certification Bodies as
well as the Tea Board.
Participating States included
Sikkim, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala,
Bihar, Meghalaya, Karnataka,
Tripura, Chattisgarh, Assam,
Uttarakhand, Manipur, Nagaland,
Presentations Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab
Biodynamic Farmers and Researchers and Arunachal Pradesh.
Farmers Track - Seeds , Soil Health and Eco Practices
• Managing goat flock health using biodynamic principles: Patrick LeEspagnol, France
• Biodynamic Coffee from the Peruvian Forest: Hector Dagoberto Marin Ludefia, Peru
• Rice production using biodynamic techniques: Batista Amadeo Volkmann, Brazil
• Integrated Cattle-Holding and Biodynamic Cultivation: Lakew Fekade, Ethiopia
• Creating a Healthy Marriage between Seeds and Soil: Harald Hoven, USA
• Breeding back into Farmers' handsInga Geunther, Germany
Building an Agrosilvipastoral Farm: Otto Waidelich, Argentina
•
The Role of Livestock in Biodynamic Agriculture: Steffen A. Schneider, USA
•
Biodynamic Use of Biowaste for an Ecologically Balanced Farm: Sarvdaman Patel, India
•
• Sustainable Turf Management Practices for Golf Courses: G S Mani, India The Seed Festival
• Urban Food Security through Biodynamic Farming: Wendy Leigh Crawford, South Africa Around 60 seed saver groups from
• Organic Systems and Ecological Practices: Ana Zilda Coutinho, Brazil 15 states of India –practicing on-
• Biodynamic Agriculture Iniatives In Nepal: Sudarshan Chaudhary, Nepal farm conservation and promotion
• The Movement of Biodynamic Agriculture in France (MABD): Bernard Schmitt, France of seed diversity and related
• Activities on a Biodynamic Farm in Belgium: Hermann Primez, Belgium knowledge – participated in the
• Going Biodynamic in Nepal: Ritman Gurung, Nepal festival. Over 4,000 different
• Bravery and women in farming: Rosalia Caimo, Italy varieties of seeds were on display,
• Self-learning in Biodynamic Agriculture: Simon Blaser, Brazil along with posters and literature.
• Adapting biodynamic agriculture for the Southern Hemisphere: Rene Piamonte, Peru
• Life and Work at "La Choza" (The Hut): Juan Martin Richter, Argentina
• Biodynamic Farming in Wilderness Arid Savannah: Ulf Voigts, Namibia
• The benefits of collective farming in Argentina: Carolina Gutierrez Zaldivar, Argentina
• Teaching Biodynamic Farming to Children: Rolf and Annegret Bucher, Kenya
• An overview of biodynamic practices in wood gardens: Vaiva Jundulaite, Lithuania
Scientific Track - Animals Global, Plant Production
• The mineral question in ruminants: Improving animal production and in-place soil fertility:
Regina Haller
• INBIODYN: Integrated, bio-organic and biodynamic viticulture. A comparative study over a
ten-year-period: Georg Meissner, Germany
Marketing Track
• Participatory Guarantee Systems: Comparative Analysis of four Country cases and
potential for other Quality Systems: Patricia Flores, Peru
• Six years of experience with Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS) in Biodynamic
Agriculture in Brazil-Challenges and Opportunities: Pedro Jovchelevich, Brazil
• Bringing Organic Lamb to the table; Opportunities and Challenges faced by Indian
shepherds: Nitya Sambamurti Ghotge, Balu Athan, Chaitresh Ganguly
• Organic Mango Farming - From Our Farm to Your Home: Arifa Rafee, India
Biodynamic Association of India 6
 Special Issue OWC 2017
Sector 143, Noida,
Uttar Pradesh. INDIA
Welcomed by chirping birds and
colourful butterflies, one is amazed
to find oneself in a 17 acre
biodynamic farm at the heart of
Delhi National Capital Region
(NCR). The eroded biodiversity, of
what was mostly agricultural lands,
inspired Aamir Ahmed and Anand
Wadhwani to take up an unique
experiment, in 2012, at Rewild Life
Biodiversity Farm.
Our mission & Vision is to
connect people with nature. And
to cultivate a food revolution by
nurturing a farmer in every
human being.
Our Story | Anand and Aamir
At Rewild Life – our focus is on
community living as the way
forward to build the foundation
of the urban life. A community
that values its health and the
environment – through growing,
eating and celebrating food
choices. Rewild Life is a platform
for educating children and also
to bring them closer to the food
they eat and appreciate the
goodness of Mother Nature .
www.biodynamics.in
DEMO BIODYNAMIC FARM FOR OWC 2017 BIODYNE
Demo Biodynamic Farm The Farm: • Conservation education; centre
Sarvdaman Patel accepted the The integrated farm centre is to host school children,
challenge to lead a team for planned for: enthusiasts, corporate offsite
demonstrating a biodynamic farm • an organic and biodynamic for showcasing the biodiversity;
for the delegates to the Organic farm with rich biodiversity; • Community farming plots for
World Congress 2017 held at • 7 acre butterfly conservatory. vegetables and cereals.
Greater Noida, Delhi NCR. 2.5 Host plants and other flowering
acres out of 17 acres was plants and trees are being One of the outcomes is to
identify and develop a process
selected to grow vegetables, planted and already many
fodder and cereals. Assisted by butterfly species are seen; note for conversion and
management of a typical 2 acre
his colleague Ramabhadran • 100 head cattle dairy, with
plot into a productive
Gopalan, an IT professional fodder growing areas; biodynamic farm.
resident of Delhi and biodynamic
farmer, they provided gratis
technical advice and supervison .
Field Notebook
⦿ More than 39 varieties of
vegetables, planted on raised
beds to minimize labour and
better weed control, including
okra, cow pea, sweet corn,
tomatoes, brinjal, chillies,
cauliflower, different varieties of
cabbage, knol khol, cucurbits like
all the gourd family, pumpkin, and
many more. Fodder like Maize,
Pearl millet, alfalfa / lucerne,
Cenchrus grass, guinea grass,
cow pea. green manure like
sesbania, legumes like green
gram;
⦿ Drip is being implemented with
an individual control mechanism
to manage the crop;
•A 5 HP solar pump is installed;
•An innovative Fertigation using a
VENTURI system has been
designed which will inject the
Biodynamic preparations
through the drip;
•Cowshed wash containing cow
urine is also pumped into the
drip line with a dual purpose:
• fertigate the soil and
• de-clogg the drip lines with salt
formation, which will be a
unique feature.
Biodynamic Association of India 7
 Special Issue OWC 2017
14-15 Nov 2017
Naukuchiatal
Uttarakhand. INDIA
Special Meeting of Circle
and Farmers,
Naukuchiyataal and SARG
centre, Uttarakhand.
Binita Shah is founder of SARG
and member of the Circle of
Representatives. She and her team
hosted the special event over 2
days after the OWC 2018.
Binita Shah, Founder
SARG Vikas Samiti
Since 2003, SARG has been
promoting organic and
biodynamic farming in India.
Binita Shah is a pioneer of the BD
movement in India and a close
associate of Peter Proctor and
Rachel Pomeroy since the early
years of the movement. Later
after the successful launch of
SARG and Supa Biotech, Binita
played an important role in the
development of the organic
agriculture policy of the new state
of Uttarakhand which was later
adapted by many states including
Government of India.
SARG Training Centre
The centre is at Manohar
Orchards, village Supi, Ramgarh,
Nainital iin a 5 hectacres apple
orchard. It has a classroom for
30 students and a 20 bed
dormitory.
www.biodynamics.in
LISTEN TO THE FARMER
Keynote | Biju Negi
Coordinator, Dehradoon District,
Sarvodaya Mandal and Core
member of Beej Bachao Andolan,
Uttarakhand.
Excerpts: edited
In Uttrakhand, as much as 83-87%
of our agriculture is rainfed and so
we couldn’t have done this without
treating agriculture as a living
entity, as an extension of our
selves, beliefs and practices. This
is what gave us our traditional
living bounteous production and
diversity. We worship the forests
and the streams. Ganges river is
always called “Mother Ganga”, land
is always called “Mother Earth”,
and we worship both. We have
special festive occasions for our
cattle. At the beginning of the
season, when we begin our work in
the field, we worship the plough
and other implements, and  of
course, we also pray to the
Bhumiyal Devta  (protector deity of
the land). The day we begin our
work, is always determined on the
basis of the lunar calender.
A farmer does not simply sow a
seed and reap a harvest. He sows
and reaps life, He sows and reaps
culture. He sows and reaps
education, history, geography,
sociology, mathematics, medicine,
religion and the arts. He sows a
human. He sows and reaps
humanity.
Biodynamic Association of India
Event | Listen to the Farmer
An unique event for the Circle to
expand their awareness of fellow
farmers in the Himalayas.
“Listening to the farmer is
especially important because
once we stop listening, we soon
become deaf. From becoming
deaf, we also become dumb and
then further degenerate to
become blind. It is important to
listen to the farmer when she
farms …”.
“We need to go
deeper and touch
the core of the
farmers existence. I
like to name it
"the spiritual
sovereignty of the farmer”.
Perhaps one could say that the
farmer himself has to listen to the
inner farmer in his proper soul for
to find the base of his existence.
And this has to happen
individually. We really listened to
the farmer in the other and in
ourself.
And it was not about dreams and
visions- it was about concrete
achievements and real turning
points in the life of farmers and
farms. If some of us remain on
BIODYNE
Nasari Chavhan, tribal farmer,
resides in Akola, Maharashtra.
After attending the Farmer Field
School (FFS) by SARG, she began
preparing biodynamic compost,
CPP, liquid manure and organic
pesticides on her farm and now
promotes low cost farming
techniques in her village Borwa
and nearby districts. She is also a
non-formal education teacher and
a social health activist. She is the
recipient of ‘Krushibhushan for
Organic Farming’ award.
the land and don't hurry to the
cities it's not because we have a
high level of humus in our soils.
It's because we have humus =
humanity in our souls. The day
went directly to this level and I
would say it was one of the most
wonderful farm-days I
experienced ever”.
to Binita -
“you touched the inner core from all
of us by offering this gathering and
convey this appreciation and this
thanks to your staff and your
farmers. I'm looking to the Alps
from my farm, your a looking to the
Himalayas  - what a wonderful
planet we have to care about”.
From Ueli Hurter’s email to Biju Negi
and Binita after the visit. [14 dec ’17]
8
 Special Issue OWC 2017 BIODYNAMIC ASSOCIATION OF INDIA BIODYNE

Biodynamic tracks 2017-2022 roadmap 2022

Association 1
2
training
organisation & legal
BD Community College
Centre of Excellence
From volunteerism to corporate body
Young leadership
of India 3
4
5
consulting services
communications
networking
Lead Consultant
Global brand
Preferred Partner
Federated with regional centres
Stewards for Demeter in India
#20, 16th “C” Main, 2nd ‘A’ Cross, 6 financial planning Wealthy
BD Farm Community College
7 research Global network
4th Block, Koramanagala, 8 advocacy Integrated farming DFI 2022 - preferred solution provider
Bengaluru India 560034 9 IT services Webbed Global alliances and partnerships
P: (91) 9448 067 088 10 demeter Demeter India Wealthy and abundance
M: secretary@biodynamics.in
www.biodynamics.in
⦿ 2017 November ⦿ 2017 November
Demeter India to become members of Demeter
Vision BDAI facilitates Organic World Congress 2017 at Delhi NCR
Arranges Sponsorship for event, facilitates pre-conference and
International Council with full country status by
mid-2018.
our world evolved by special events, demo biodynamic farm developed and create
awareness for BD.
General Secretary of Demeter International visits the DCO in

energised agriculture in ⦿ 2017 November

Nov 2017 and holds consultations.
Re-constituted Demeter Certification Committee planned.

ecological harmony. BDAI hosts the meeting of the Circle of

Representatives and the Section for Agriculture.
Quality process standards ISO 17065
⦿ 1999
Mission First meeting of the Circle ever to be held outside Europe.
Large contingent of speakers and delegates to the Organic
BDAI is constituted as a Society under the
Karnataka Societies Registration Act, 1960.
to promote the practices World Congress 2017 held at Delhi NCR.

and philosophy of the BDAI - AHA OD Exercise

CYCLE ONE COMPLETED
⦿ 1999 -2017
Core years: promote and coordinate the
Biodynamic Method of 7 workshops biodynamic movement in India:
• Conduct training workshops
Agriculture that foster AUG
OCT
2016
2016
| Bangalore
| Chennai
• Publish the Planting Calendar
• Demeter Certification Office
initiatives and mutual DEC
MAR
2016
2017
| Anand
| Kodaikanal
• Promote Demeter Exports
• Network of Training Centres, BD Prep
interactions among JUN 2017 | Bhimtaal Makers and Farmer Outreach

farmers, consumers AUG

OCT
2017
2017
| Goa
| Delhi NCR
⦿ 2008
and service providers. roadmap 2022
Demeter Certification Office (DCO)
established.
Guiding values 10 tracks with 5 year milestones
1999
13 projects assessed in parallel to others

• dedication
assessed by International Certification
development plan Office of Demeter International

• sustainability
independent of DCO. Staff strength 2.
Action Plan prepared
⦿ 2010-2017
• accountability beta website published
2000 - 2010 DCO assesses all projects in India

• performance- driven
31+ projects assessed annually
www.biodynamics.in DCO office staff strength increases to 4.

• adaptibility 2011 - 2015

• solidarity
International BD Conference
BIODYNE
⦿ 2012 Hyderabad

• fraternity
Newsletter published ⦿ 2014 Anand
regularly from 2017

• fairness 2016 ⦿ 2016 -2019

BDAI undertakes an organisation
• equity Vision
Our World, evolved by energised 2017 development exercise to become a

• inclusive Agriculture, in ecological harmony. professional pan - India farmer Association

Development planning exercise in partnership with
• equality Mission
To promote the practices and philosophy of the Andreas Hermes Akademie, (AHA) – Ministry of

• transparency Biodynamic Method of Agriculture that foster initiatives Economic Development, Germany for 2016-19.
and mutual interactions among Farmers, Consumers
The goal of the cooperation is to support the building of nationwide outreach of BDAI.
Stakeholders and Service Providers.
To promote and coordinate the Biodynamic movement in India through capacity building and training
workshops to core team and management and facilitating of networking events.
The new narrative of
business must be told in
stakeholder terms.
from bud to shoot… our journey
Institutions must create Services
value for customers,
suppliers, employees,
communities, financiers Training Workshops Consumer Awareness Conferences, Seminars,
and society. Workshops are held every Promoting public-private Workshops, Orientations
• Farmers quarter at biodynamic farms in partnership to create marketing Organise, facilitate international
• Consumers different zones of the country. co-operatives and consumer conferences and seminars in
• Social Sector These are a mix of practical supported agriculture (CSA) India, participation in the annual
Agencies demonstrations and lectures. groups for biodynamically grown BIOFACH at Nuremberg and
• Demeter Projects and certified produce .
• Training Centres and Making BD Preps Available South East Asian initiaitives.
Demo Farms BD prep makers are developed Demeter Certification Office Information Services
• International with training and quality control The DCO assesses the projects BIODYNE newsletter is
Community inspections. Affordable kits are in India for the ICO of Demeter distributed to members and
• BD Outreach made available for farmers and International for biodynamic
• BD Prep Makers stakeholders. A website with
• Government Agencies Demeter projects. produce that meets stringent extensive educational data is
• Corporates Consulting Services requirements of the Demeter
Certification process. published. There are joint
• Research Community Governmental and private sector publishing initiatives with
for training, certification and BD Outreach
Office Bearers national and international BD
marketing. Through a partner network of BD
President Sarvdaman Patel organisations, training, institutions.The annual BD
Market Linkages planting Calendar is distributed
Vice President Evelyn Daniel organisation and marketing
Treasurer G.S. Mani
International references for through the website and
buyers of organic and activties are carried out.

Secretary Sundeep Kamath newsletter.
biodynamic produce exporters .
Managing Committee
Ajit Mathai Office Bearers and Managing Committee
Girish Krishnamurthy
Jayachandran Krishnareddy
Perumal Karuppan
Ramabadhran Gopalan
Sanjay Doctor
Vikash Abraham
Demeter Certification Office
Coordinator Krishnan V.
Members Lucas Dengel,
Mahesh Melvin ,
Anbu P.
Front Row (L to R):
Auditors Dr. K. Perumal, Rachel Pomeroy (Guest), Evelyn Daniel, G.S. Mani, Girish Krishnamurthy, Sundeep Kamath.
P. Govidarajulu Second Row (L to R):
Swami Associates, Bangalore Sanjay Doctor, Jayachandran Krishnareddy, Rambadhran Gopalan, Sarvdaman Patel, Ajit Mathai, Vikash Abraham

www.biodynamics.in Biodynamic Association of India 9