The Natural Farming Institute is an Internet-based (virtual) centre for the promotion of farming based on natural principles in Asia and Africa. It proposes to look closely into every aspect of natural farming, particularly knowledge of the soils and plants, maintenance of an on-line library of materials for organic farmers, directories of websites, and training courses for farmers presently using chemicals who wish to convert to organic methods.

A major focus of the Institute is the children of organic farmers whose future on the land is generally sabotaged by the existing educational system which has been designed exclusively for persons from non-rural, non-agricultural backgrounds.

An educational programme for the children of farming communities in India-FEB 2012

Our Land our Life is the curriculum framework for an educational programme for children with specific emphasis on farming and farm related activities. It’s design provides a hands on approach to learning both academic and farm related topics.

The document was prepared by the Organic Farming Association of India, Taleemnet and the Natural Farming Institute with other collaborators to serve the needs of the rural and the farming communities of India. Although the emphasis is on the above, others too, specially home schooling children and alternative schools will find the document useful.

The programme is the outcome of a yearlong research based on inputs from pioneer educators, organic farmers and academicians from across the country.

The complete document running into nearly 300 pages [eight(+2) pdf files ] may be downloaded from here:

OLOL one of eight (front cover to pg 5)

OLOL two of eight (pgs 6 to 52)

OLOL three (a) of eight (pgs 53 to 73)

OLOL  three (b) of eight (pgs 74 to 92)

OLOL four (a) of eight (pgs 93 to 124)

OLOL four (b) of eight (pgs 125 to 167)

OLOL five of eight (pgs 168 to 208)

OLOL six of eight (pgs 209 to 226)

OLOL seven of eight (pgs 227 to 252)

OLOL eight of eight (pgs 253 to 285 back cover)

A copy of  the curriculum document drafted by a workgroup of organic farmers led by home educators in 2007  (available in draft form)

NFI is a constituent of the Organic Farming Association of India, a registered body of organic farmers located in all parts of India.