JADAM Organic Farming is a combination of traditional natural farming principles, practices, and modern scientific innovations. It promotes low-cost alternative techniques to industrial agriculture and remains updated by a group of organic farmers; headed by Mr. Youngsang Cho.
The name JADAM is an abbreviation of Jayonul Damun Saramdul. It is the Korean name for the organization. In English, it translates as “people who like nature.”
Younsang Cho, the founder of JADAM, is the son of Hankyo Cho: revered as the father of Korean Natural Farming.
According to Mr. Hankyo Cho, the JADAM techniques, created by his son, uses Natural Farming as part of its foundation. It has organized a system in line with KNF but has gone far beyond.
Due to this, there are some differences between Jadam and KNF.
In this article, you’ll learn:
- The 4 Core Principles Of JADAM
- What Is JADAM Technology?
- What Is JMS?
- What is JADAM Liquid Fertilizer?
- What is JADAM Pesticide?
- What is JADAM Wetting Agent?
- What Is JADAM Herbal Solution?
- What is JADAM Sulfur?
The 4 Core Principles Of JADAM
JADAM aims to provide a farming system based on SIMPLE principles, which are EASY to follow, using SCIENTIFIC methodology to create highly EFFECTIVE low-cost processes and products.
They refer to this as SESE, which guides the 4 Core Principles Of JADAM.
1. Do As Nature Does
JADAM encourages us to “ask nature” for the answers to common farming issues. It suggests that you take a scientific approach by observing how nature operates: how plants grow, how soil is protected, even how microorganisms interact to achieve a balanced environment.
2. I And Others Are One
The soil and plants are not much different than us. We cannot expect to get different outcomes if we continue to do the same thing. Likewise, if something is wrong with the soil, we need to change the way we treat it if we intend to solve the issue.
3. The Good and the Bad Are One
We should accept nature as it is, neither good nor bad. It provides what plants and animals need to thrive. We should enjoy nature in its entirety, personal biases aside.
4. Coexistence With Wild Grass
JADAM admonishes us to seek the benefits and possible uses of wild grass; instead of using unnecessary energy to get rid of it. Wild grass protects and returns nutrients to the soil while attracting beneficial insects.
What Is JADAM Technology?
JADAM technology is a collection of simple agricultural techniques and inputs: designed to provide farmers with affordable alternatives to industrial farming inputs.
It aims to assist farmers with various aspects of farming, from soil management to pest control.
JADAM technology includes but is not limited to microorganism solutions, organic liquid fertilizers, and pesticides.
Let’s take a closer look at some of these technologies.
What is JADAM Indigenous Microorganism Solution?
JMS is a microorganism solution created by allowing microbes to multiply in nutrient-rich water. It can be customized to suit the needs of the crop you intend to grow.
JADAM Indigenous Microorganism Solution is used to restore the balance of microbe activity within the soil. This activity aids in relieving soil compaction, as well as keeping other organisms such as nematodes, fungus, and bacteria in check.
Diseases occur when a particular organism is allowed to multiply or accumulate indiscriminately. JMS works by adding to the diversity of microbes indigenous to an area.
These organisms feed on minerals, organic material, and even other microorganisms, resulting in balanced, healthy soil.
JADAM Microbe Solution is best applied before to a planting area during the soil preparation stage.
In the book JADAM Organic Farming: The Way To Ultra Low-Cost Agriculture, there is a suggestion to make at least four applications of JMS before planting; to allow the microbes to penetrate deep within the soil.
As with most JADAM recipes, JMS is simple to make. You will need four main ingredients.
- Water
- Leaf Mold
- Potatoes or another starchy food source
- Sea Salt or Sea Water
Optionally, you can add specific crop materials to create custom solutions tailored to the needs of particular plants.
You can make JMS by combining all the ingredients into a plastic container, then allowing it to multiply over a few hours.
For detailed instructions, visit the article: How To Make JADAM Microorganism Solution
JMS is the most important of all the JADAM Technology since it is the foundation to achieving healthy soil.
What is JADAM Liquid Fertilizer?
JLF is an organic fertilizer solution made from the putrefaction of organic materials in the presence of microorganisms. The materials used affect the properties of the fertilizer and range from wild grass, crop residue, fruits to even human waste.
JADAM Liquid Fertilizer provides a balanced supply of bioavailable nutrients to plants while improving microbe activity in the soil. It is possible to create custom fertilizers to cater to the needs of specific plants.
Ideally, JLF uses the plant material of the targeted crop. As a result, it contains the exact nutrients needed by that plant.
JLF is applied at various stages of plant growth, usually in two weeks intervals after transplanting. Some fertilizers, such as Urine JFL, boost plants by encouraging vegetative growth. While others, such as Wild Grass JFL, are general-purpose fertilizers.
To make JADAM Liquid Fertilizer, you need three main ingredients.
- Water
- Leaf Mold
- Organic Material
Optionally, you can add mineral rocks to customize your fertilizer based on your needs. You will also need a plastic container with a lid.
The process of making JLF is simple. Fill a plastic container with organic material. Fill with water. Add a handful of leaf mold. Cover and leave to process for 3 to 6 months.
After the material has broken down, you need to filter out the liquid. This liquid has to dilute before applying to soil or plants.
JADAM suggests simple fertilizer schedules to be used for specific plants, based on their stage of growth, to take the guesswork out of the application process.
What is JADAM Pesticide?
One of the main challenges in farming is pest management.
On the one hand, chemical pesticides are expensive with potential risks to the environment. On the other hand, not using any pesticide can result in significant losses.
JADAM Natural Pesticides are eco-friendly pesticides developed by JADAM using safe ingredients allowed by the organic certification boards.
They are easy to make and cost a fraction of chemical and other organic alternatives.
JNP can also be used alongside chemical pesticides or replace them altogether.
JADAM Natural Pesticides is effective in the treatment and management of common pests and diseases such as aphids and powdery mildew.
There are four main ingredients in JNP.
- JADAM Wetting Agent
- JADAM Herbal Solution
- JADAM Sulfur
These ingredients can work independently or in combination to repel or destroy pests on contact.
What is JADAM Wetting Agent?
JADAM Wetting Agent is a mild soap-like surfactant, which allows other substances to stick to leaves and the bodies of pests. It forms the foundation of natural pesticides.
It increases the coating and penetrative ability of the pesticide solution, enhancing its effectiveness. Alone, it is effective against pests such as mites and aphids, but ideally should be mixed with the other three ingredients.
JWA works similarly to natural soap but is much simpler to make. It is the soap nature that is responsible for allowing it to coat the plant and pests. The best part is that it supplies the plant with nutrients as it breaks down.
To make JWA, you need three ingredients.
- Soft Water
- Canola Oil
- Caustic Potash
You will need a heat-resistant plastic container and some safety equipment. While the production of JWA does not require heat, the reaction generates quite a bit of it.
The raw ingredients can irritate your skin and eyes. However, once complete, you can even use it as a hand wash or shampoo.
JWA requires Soft Water to apply. In cases where potable water sources are not ideal, use the JADAM Water Softener or rainwater.
What Is JADAM Herb Solution?
JADAM Herb Solution is an extract obtained from plants with natural repellent properties. It requires the use of JADAM Wetting Agent to apply but can be modified to form customized JWA.
In combination with JWA, it repels or kills certain pests and diseases on contact.
JHS makes use of the natural compounds within the herbs. While these compounds might be safe for some insects, they might be detrimental to others.
When making JHS, our job is to test and observe how certain pests react with different insects. Then use the JHS that is most effective in dealing with those pests.
The easiest way to make JADAM Herb Solution is to boil it under pressure for a few hours.
However, you can also use oils or alcohol to extract the essential compounds. If you use oils as your means of extraction, you can use this as a substitute when making JWA.
What is JADAM Sulfur?
JADAM Sulfur, also called Clay Sulphur, is the non patented sulfur-based germicide invented by Younsang Cho. It has the time-tested benefits of Sulphur but does not require an external heat source or expensive machinery in its production.
JADAM Sulfur is effective in the treatment of common fungal diseases, including powdery mildew and black spot.
To use JS, you must dilute and add it to JWA, then apply to the affected area; only if a disease is present. Excess use of JS can stunt growth in young plants, so use sparingly.
To make JS, you need the following ingredients:
- sulfur
- caustic soda
- water
- phyllite powder
- red clay powder
- sea salt
JADAM Sulfur is easy to make but requires some safety precautions; since the reactions produce a lot of heat. As a result, suitable safety gear and heat-resistant containers are necessary.
Final Thoughts
Fertilizers and Pesticides are integral parts of commercial food production. That said, they are also some of the most costly inputs.
The technologies developed for JADAM Organic Farming propose much cheaper alternatives to chemical and commercially available organic pesticides and fertilizers.
These inputs have the potential to positively impact the environment, as well as the profit margins of the farmers who use them.
Related Questions
What Is Leaf Mold?
Leaf mold is the microbe-rich organic matter found underneath piles of leaves. It forms as a result of the decomposition of leaves by microorganisms present in the environment.
What Is JADAM Water Softener?
JADAM Water Softener is an ion exchange water softening device developed by JADAM to process water used with JADAM Wetting Agent and JADAM Sulphur solutions.
References
Cho, Youngsang. JADAM Organic Farming: The Way To Ultra-Low Agriculture. Translated By Rei Yoon. JADAM. 2016
JADAM. JADAM Organic Farming. Jadam.kr. Accessed August, 2021
