Kasur is known for its fertile lands and strong farming traditions. While chemical fertilizers have become widely used in commercial agriculture, many villages in Kasur still rely on traditional organic fertilizer practices that have been passed down through generations. In this article, we explore the organic fertilizer techniques still in use across Kasur’s rural communities, how they benefit crops and the environment, and why they remain relevant in the modern age of agriculture.
Historical Roots of Organic Farming in Kasur
Before the introduction of synthetic fertilizers, farmers across Kasur maintained soil fertility using organic resources readily available in their surroundings. Even today, many farmers in villages like Talwandi, Rakhwala, Bhedian Kalan, Kot Radha Kishan, and Mustafabad continue to utilize these natural soil amendments, especially those with limited access to costly chemicals.
These organic practices are deeply tied to cultural knowledge, seasonal cycles, and local livestock economies, making them not just farming methods but also part of the heritage of rural Kasur.
Common Traditional Organic Fertilizer Practices in Kasur
1. Cow Dung (Gobar) Application
Perhaps the most widely used organic fertilizer, cow dung is considered gold for soil in Kasur. Almost every farming household keeps buffaloes or cows, and their waste is collected daily.
How it’s used:
- Dung is mixed with water to create a slurry, which is applied directly to fields before plowing.
- It is also used in compost pits and combined with crop waste.
Benefits:
- Improves soil structure
- Increases microbial activity
- Enhances water retention
Villages like Raja Jang and Chah Kalan rely heavily on gobar for wheat, maize, and fodder crops.
2. Farmyard Manure (FYM)
Farmyard manure includes a mixture of animal waste, bedding material, and kitchen waste, left to decompose in pits or open heaps.
Usage:
- Aged for 2–3 months before application
- Spread in fields during field preparation or before monsoon
Nutrient content:
- Rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium
- Slow-release properties for long-term soil nourishment
In Pattoki Tehsil, FYM is commonly applied to vegetable plots, sugarcane fields, and rice nurseries.
3. Green Manuring
Some progressive farmers in Kasur still practice green manuring, where specific crops are grown and then plowed back into the soil to enhance organic matter.
Popular green manure crops:
- Sesbania (Dhaincha)
- Berseem
- Sunhemp
This method is most commonly practiced in Chunian villages before rice transplantation to rejuvenate the soil.
4. Ash and Biochar
In areas where wood, dried cow dung cakes, or crop stubble are used as fuel, the leftover ash is collected and applied to fields.
Benefits:
- Provides potassium and trace elements
- Helps balance pH in acidic soils
Biochar, made from controlled burning of organic waste in pits, is gaining slow recognition among younger farmers experimenting with sustainable farming in Kasur.
5. Compost Pits and Vermicomposting
Though less common, some farmers have begun reviving the composting tradition using organic kitchen waste, leaves, and animal droppings.
In a few areas like Ganda Singh Wala, there are community compost pits maintained by small cooperatives.
Vermicomposting, using earthworms to break down organic matter, is being tested on small pilot farms and has shown excellent results for high-value crops like flowers and chillies.
Benefits of Traditional Organic Fertilizer Practices
- Soil Health Restoration: Long-term use of organic fertilizers helps restore and maintain soil fertility without causing nutrient imbalances.
- Cost-Effective: All inputs are locally available and cost nothing except labor.
- Environmentally Safe: No chemical runoff or groundwater contamination.
- Improves Crop Quality: Organically grown produce has higher shelf life, taste, and market demand.
- Reduces Dependency: Less reliance on market-based fertilizers helps protect farmers from inflation and shortages.
Challenges and Decline in Usage
Despite their benefits, organic methods are slowly declining in some parts of Kasur due to:
- Lack of awareness about proper application rates and composting techniques
- Pressure to increase yield quickly, especially among commercial-scale farmers
- Labor-intensive processes compared to chemical fertilizers
- Perception of low efficiency in comparison to synthetic options
Still, many smallholders and elderly farmers maintain these practices, recognizing their long-term value.
Reviving and Supporting Organic Traditions
To preserve and promote traditional organic fertilizer practices in Kasur, the following steps can be helpful:
- Farmer Training Programs: Agricultural extension departments should include organic composting techniques in their workshops.
- Demonstration Farms: Showcase success stories where organic inputs have improved yield.
- Subsidies and Incentives: Provide financial or material support for compost pits and vermicomposting setups.
- Youth Engagement: Encourage younger farmers to blend traditional knowledge with modern organic farming trends.
As global demand for organic produce rises, Kasur has an opportunity to become a hub of sustainable agriculture by leveraging its existing traditions. By documenting and supporting village-level organic methods, farmers can reduce input costs, protect soil health, and potentially access niche organic markets both domestically and internationally.
Conclusion
Traditional organic fertilizer practices are more than just a cost-saving technique for Kasur’s rural farmers—they are part of the region’s agricultural identity. From gobar to green manures and compost pits, these methods continue to nourish the land, sustain crops, and promote long-term fertility. With proper support and renewed interest, these time-honored techniques can play a vital role in shaping sustainable agriculture in Kasur District for generations to come.