Farm Update 30-Dec-2015

Tilling:  Entire pieces of land have been tilled with tractor.  The tractor is owned by Subbu's brother. With half cage wheel, they have completed the job.  Half cage means attaching a cage wheel to the tyres so that it can run on marsh soil without getting submerged.

Paddy :  Subbu  and Sumathi (temperory lady staff) have completed planting of Ambi-16 variety of Paddy on remaining patch of land.  He could get around 60 Nos of 24 day old rice saplings in around 24 cents of land. The crop will come to maturity in 90 days.  Though I have reservation in planting anything other than country variety, this time let it go with hybrid. After all we are testing the ground for the first time.

The paddy has been laid with adequate spacing between them in what is called as System of Rice Intensification (SRI).

Vegetables:  Over the tractor tilled soil, the mud bars have been constructed using 3 man power. This is for vegetables.  Presently Sweet potato, Onion, tomato, chilli, brinjal have been planted.  The seeds will sprout in a week.  Apart from this bottle gourd and ridge guard also planned in few quantities.  I am missing the farm now.

Nursary :  We discussed and decided to remove the existing nursary and re-do the same with iron pipes, perhaps little smaller in size.  There will be ceiling at 7 Feet. There will be no side covers. That was causing wind to shake the pandal.  this activity ofcourse can be done after 10 days.

Plantain (Banana) :  Near the wind tower, the banana plants have rooted properly. It requires de-weeding and cleaning.

Sugar Cane:  Has come to market.  Subbu will buy few and try this time.

Vettiver :  The vettiver that survived near the tower has grown very well. They need to be re-planted near the mud pond to arrest soil erosion. That was the original plan.

Coconut : Each of the new coconut saplings in polythene bags (with mud) has cost Rs. 150/- each.  10 of them have been planted.

Where are the Frogs ?

During the course of conversation,  Subbu mentioned he has not seen any Frogs yet.  The conversation was about health of the fish in the Pond.  On the advise of the fisheries, he had thrown some thorny bushes into the pond to protect the fish.

The idea is when a predator like stork or snake attacks, the fish will hide under the thorny bush floating in the water.  Good and effective idea indeed.

Well Fish is there,  Crab is there, Rabbit,  Snake, Peacock, birds all are present. But Frogs are missing.  Strangely there used to be hundreds of frogs in last year rain. But this time, not a single frog is found. The food chain looks broken for what reason - don't know.

Today I checked again with him to find that small frogs are present. Not big ones.  How come ?

Thorny bush thrown into water intentionally to protect the fish

Past two days rain is playing spoil sport.  We need to wait for couple of days more.  Subbu will be travelling to nursary tomorrow to purchase few more plants.

Farm Activities and Planning- 14-Dec-2015

Banana 1 : The "Tholuvam" banana variety (a country organic variety of banana which can grow well in our farm) re-installation is complete.  On either side of the windpump tower, the banana siblings (suckers) have been replanted.   Earlier on one portion I had planted Red Banana obtained from a friend near Coimbatore.  That crop did not come well. Added to that there was no water to sustain them at that time.  They were removed. Only 10 of them are left out.  Balance space are filled only with Tholuvam which is time tested.

Banana 2 : From adjacent to wind tower there were "Andhra Nadan", another variety that was earlier starving for water. They had under growth. The mother plants have dried. But the dwarf ones and the suckers are growing.  That is not a fertail piece.  It is just left to grow. No changes.

Paddy: Near the high tension power tower,  Subbu had experimented with a small patch of Paddy last week. We will be expanding in the complete area now as that area is a marsh and water logging one.  That patch was thick with grass so far.


Jasmine:  Due to recent incessant and untimely continuous rains, the newly laid jasmine plants have got destroyed. Loss of time and money. The leaves have turned brown and could not survive the stagnant water. Only the old ones are ok. We are back to square one.

Onion, Potato :  For the past two days there is no rain. The ground is drying and is good time for running tractor.  Today Subbu will rent tractor to make some raised mud bars for Onion and sweet potato in a small piece of land which so far we have not tried anything.

Sugarcane:  I asked Subbu to try few sugarcane.  In January when the festival of Pongal comes, people buy sugar cane from far off places. Last year I planned but did not materialise. This year it is too late. But on experimental basis few can be tried. He said the juice centres are closed due to rains. Today/tomorrow one or two must open and he must get some.  The cane sugar can be cut into pieces and installed.

Coconut:  Coconut tree is growing well. It is time we go for some more. So also sapota.

Cow Grass: I asked Subbu to start growing some cow grass. we need to create conducive environment for a cow to stay. Targetting for month of May, we must get a cow.

****

Crabs are Helping Fish Escape

It is raining continuously in my Farm for the past many days.  Unable to do anything. Even tracktor with cagewheel is getting caught in the loose mud.

Some of the crops like Coconut and Jasmine has already turned brown due to chocking of roots in water logged condition for long time.  Drinage of water is limited as water is everywhere.

Subbu is confined at home.

Meanwhile I asked Subbu "How are the fishes ?".
"Sir Crabs are biting the net and fishes are trying to escape" was the answer Subbu gave.

I was pleasantly surprised.  Crabs ?  "Where the hell from where they came ?".  "Don't know sir."

It appears the crabs are biting the net that is in place preventing fishes from passing through the outlet conduit of the mud pond.  So there are fish, crab, Snakes,  Rat, Rabbits and some birds in the farm.

Subbu told he has taken photo of snake, but did'nt send it. I insisted he send.  I need all animals in the farm.

That is complete ecosystem.

The Banana Story

After the harvest of mother plants, one each daughter plant (Sucker) is left out to grow for next crop

Beside the wind Pump

Nice to see some vegetation. These banana plants were having undergrowth due to lack of water so far. Now with rains
there are many different weeds growing. Shows this soil is not that bad. I must develop this further
Earlier attempted navadanya and failed  (refer old stories). Now it should work

Well, New cycle begins.  Note the casurina has grown well in the fence side.

The old and defunct banana plantations are dragged to the compost pit

They are cut into pieces.  This will be applied with cowdung and some fertiliser/soil so that they become manure

 

Wind Tower, again looking empty with no growth around. This needs cleaning

My Green House (nursary) is a failure

The green House that I had conceived and for which I had spent enough money is a failure till now.  We  purchased the shade net from coimbatore through courier.  That is not of good quality. It is tearing in all places.  Earlier my team had constructed this with Casurina sticks and wrapped them.  While the ceiling is somewhat intact the outer wall is not stable. That was required to stop the warm wind from blowing inside.  The action of wind and dog is pulling it apart. 

Net net, we are uable to use the full potential of the nursary.  The mud floor is also uneven and there is soil erosion on the sides.

We need to re-think. Once the rain stops we need to do the following;

a) Increase the ceiling height.  We need a wooden stool for the farm. Otherwise Subbu is able to tie the poles only at arms length.

b) No need for outer wall wrapping. Let us remove it.  Let the wind blow inside. If required we can protect the tender plants with some wooden planks.

c) Need to buy good quality shade net from nearby town. Even if it costs money.

Some vegetable seeds are growing in the bags

The shade net in bad condition.
One moringa plant has escaped and is growing. let it grow...

Paddy Experiment in the farm

My dream is to grow some paddy in the farm.  It should be organic and country variety.  Now many are available. Several months back, I had purchased Mappillai Samba and Ponni seeds from a friend.  Last time when it rained, I had asked Subbu to experiment with some of them.

However we plunged into draught for several months. No rain. The priority Changed and we lost focus.  The seeds where however kept safe.

Recently due to heavy and incessant rains, decided to try out as many different vegetation as possible to take advantage of available water.  But it is still raining. Therefore not suitable for initiating any sowing now. But rice can be grown in this climate.

Our maiden effort however went futile. All the rice seeds that were spread had been eaten by the Stork which visit from far and wide.  To meet our desire however Subbu managed to get some other variety IR70 (Indian Rice 70 - a hybrid variety by Rice research institute nearby) which is popular among the peasants.  He had brought the ready to sow siblings. And thus, viola, you have a mini rice field.

If this experiment goes fine, then we will expand in next half. Perhaps can go for one more round of Native variety purchase.

Land Preparation

The sprouted paddy siblings

Rice is sown, just like that

The Cement Tank is full of Water

It is nice to see that the cement tank fed by the windmill is full of water. because of rains, this water is not used for any purpose now and will serve as storage.  Fish is let inside. Now I understand why the mischevous fish escaped from this tank.  According to Subbu some 20 fish jumped out of this tank playfully.

Many Funny things at the Farm !

Subbu had ventured to Manimutharu, a small town near western ghats to buy fish.  Last year we brought from the same place.  This time, however it seems since there was so much rain in TN, everyone had brought fishlings so early and so large quantity, there is scarcity.

Finally he had spent around Rs. 2.5/- per fish and brought around 2500.  The total outlay including purchase of feed is around 12K.   The fish  is now let into the large pond, and small cement tank.  He has also had a good advise from the seller on how to manage fish.  It appears we have to feed them daily.  Earlier he had fed them once in a week in lumpsum with cowdung or oil cakes.  The mistake stands corrected.   This time, we have to feed them daily - all varieties of food including cabbage, poultry waste, cowdung, different cereals and so on... all of them in small quantities every day.

The biggest learning is  that the feed should not be applied as is.  It has to be spoilt till worms develop and then apply. For example cowdung should be covered with wet gunny bag, till it rots and develops small worms. Fish like such food.  So it goes.....  Now kandan has become very very active feeding fishes. Good that it will bind the staff to the farm. Anyway i am not going to consume,  but they are. So they will take care well.

Last year the fish was thought to have escaped through overflow water.  It could have got starved to death also due to improper feeding.  The water is muddy, you cannot observe the fish.

Meanwhile some of the fish from the cement tank that is filled with water from wind pump seems to have escaped. Around 20 of them. In Subbu's words "They are very playful. They jump out as the tank is full and overflow has started. So he has cut the supply to the tank and the water now passing into the mud pond.

We had decided we will try some organic paddy this time, come what may. Last year we could not due to water scarcity. Now is rice sowing season.  we had Mappillai Samba seeds with us in stock.

 Subbu had promptly emptied them on the field.  I believe all the storks that abound the region (they are migratory birds + some local varieties) have eaten them away.  Now he suggests we get some paddy which is IR70 or IR56 hybrid variety. I am not for that. But anyway said ok because we just want to try some paddy. But I now have to work getting the country variety once more !

Meanwhile I asked about non-usage of the Green House. I was fond of that and myself have mended when I visited the farm.  It seems, Kandan's dog has pulled the green mesh and bitten  it playfully. I can understand. The green shade was of not good quality.  I purchased online.  It is good when new. But after few months it becomes brittle.

We should not have covered the sides of the shade room at the Dogs reach. I suggest we put a high raised roof and leave it at that. The roof also should be wired above and below so that the mesh

doesnot baloon up or down due to heavy wind and get torn.  We need to purchase from local store of good quality rather than from online.  lesson of life.

Meanwhile inside this nursary the vegetables in small quantity has been put in polythene bags for sprouting.

The cleaning of the banana yard is over. All the mother plants with their root has been removed leaving the banana siblings on its own. Thus, devoid of dry matter, the farm should look more clean and green.

Today the tilling for sowing onion should have been done. Earlier we were waiting for rain to stop.  Tracktor operators are refusing to come as they fear wheels will get struck in slush. The other reason is most of them have joined the chainwheel removing tyres.

The farm is full of activity with 7 hired labors working.  Cost will be running upto 15k for all of these

****

Farm in Visuals - Nov 15

Finally the photos have come after some adventure.  The browsing centre in Valliyoor had sent this in 4 Mb file each in 10 mails. I wanted to teach him how to compress the photos.

Subbu is not a good photographer..  There were many important snaps that were shaky and blurred. I remove them.  Advised him to install whatsup.  This camera that worked past 4 years have to be retired soon.

Bamboo near the room. Somehow it is not rapidly growing as expected.

The coconut tree is growing fine.

The new jasmine plant

The pond is full with recent rains.  The water will not raise this level as there are drain pipes in the side for safety.
The total depth is 5 to 6 feet.

Sapota plant

Another angle. The fence is new this year and it works. I am happy now that atleast people will be cautious to cross.
the level of water can be further increase, but we are waiting for the bund to get strengthend after top soil erodes.

Add caption

Some stray plants came on its own.  In the background are the sick banana. It was decided
to leave it as is. The babies will grow in the new rains and the mother can be removed later
typical natural farming practice

Vettiver has picked up significantly. I am happy the hardwork paid off. Now we need to transplant them
to prevent soil erosion. Now now may be a month or two after.

Nice view of a corner

In the front compound. Bogan villa I dreamt will grow taller and thicker. Perhaps I have to wait for few years.

Near Row of trees near the wind tower

Trees have grown taller and stronger.

Some Morning Thoughts on the Farm

Whenever there is a "break" in the "routine", it takes a long time to catch-up with work.  The team in the farm had a picnic last month. But still they have not come to a routine.   We have been waiting for rains for the past 7 months. Now plenty of rain and water is there. But the following is preventing brisk work;

a)  Labor is not available.  All are busy with their own fields or working on some other projects. It is difficult to get farm labors as everyone are doing some activity.

b) There is water logging.  water must drain otherwise it will kill small plants.

c)  Grass/ weeds is growing faster than expected.  Recently we had ploughed a plot of land near the cement tank with tracktor.  But weeds have grown immediatly.  In the words of subbu "They are very happy".  Initially he suggested we re-plough the land. But after seeing the looseness of soil, did not want to spoil that.  Therefore decided to go for manual de-weeding.

d) There is no focus with the staff.   They are attempting to do something which is obvious and easy to do.  I expressed my displeasure to Subbu that work is not happening at all.  Kandan has gone to look after his own farm.  After rain, every day is precious.  But team out there had planned only for planting Onions and sweet potato besides re-planting bananas.  That is not enough for me.

I wanted more and more vegetables to be tried, even in small quantity.  Otherwise we cannot achieve a sustenance level and invite small peddlers, or vendors to sell them.  Growing large quantity of mono crop is a loss if market conditions are poor during harvesting season. But growing small number of many things will definitely help fetch money if not atleast satisfaction.

I told Subbu that we must try all vegetables - Brinjal, Lady's finger, tomato, chillies, onion, pumpkin etc. He said he will buy vegetable seeds in valliyoor and try it out right away.  No waiting for labor. Do it yourself as we have now everything - we have nursary shade, polythene bags,  space, water etc.

Meanwhile the photographs that i asked yesterday is yet to come. I believe the browsing centre was closed yesterday.  today I hope to get them. Meanwhile I advised Subbu to install whatsup in his phone to instantly exchange photos.  Earlier it was not possible. Now I have given my used smart phones. There is also sufficient data coverage in the farm.

***

Rain, Rain only Rain

It has been raining like Dog in the farm for the past few days. Not only here but the entire Tamil Nadu is drenched.  Due to a low pressure in the atmosphere or some cyclone, there is continuous water flow.  Some more rain is predicted by Met man.

As far Subbu, he is not getting the manpower. Currently all are busy sowing in various fields. Even obtained, there is rain and water logging to do any useful farm work. We should wait for water to recede.  I can only give lecture over phone on organic farming,  energy independence and power generation in captivity.  I asked him to send photos of the farm with water.  Even for this he is unable to venture out.

There has been serious causalities in this part recently due to lightning strike.   One should not venture in two wheeler in country side, lest you become the lightning arrestor.

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Reports The Hindu Paper as follows

Rain lashes Tamil Nadu; schools, colleges closed

Updated: November 13, 2015 12:04 IST

  

Heavy rainfall brought daily life to a grinding halt across Tamil Nadu, as seven districts announced holidays for schools and colleges.

Tirunelveli, Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kanchipuram, Tiruvannamalai and Vellore districts have announced a day’s holiday for schools and colleges, while Kanyakumari’s District Collector has announced a holiday for schools.

Many parts of Chennai were marooned under water after a torrential downpour since Thursday night.

Puzhal recorded the highest volume of 21 cm rainfall on Friday. The weather stations in chennai and Meenambakkam recoded 15 cm and 12 cm respectively following a thunderstorm.

According to the IMD bulletin, the trough of low at mean sea over south Andaman sea and neighbourhood now lies over south Andaman Sea and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal. It is likely to develop into a low pressure area over southeast Bay of Bengal and neighbourhood during next two days

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I am missing the Farm once again

The Farm activity is going ON in full swing without me there.  I am missing the action. Anyway,

a) 100 Banana siblings have been re-located around the Wind Pump.  They were uprooted, kept for 2 days to dry and planted again evenly.  That means by next few months there will be lush green growth around the wind pump on both sides.

b) Subbu will go to a nursary to purchase some more trees. We have decided we will have;
1) Coconut trees - 10
2) Lemon trees - 5
3) Teak to replace gaps where casurina did not grow - 20
4) Any other fruit trees - Sapota few

Around 30 seeds of Country palm has also been sown.

As per latest information the pond is full with water and overflowing.

Meanwhile Subbu and Paramu had attempted to try their experiment on windpump to increase the sweep length. It is raining over there.  He called from wet phone to say that they had some issues - a wrong welding which needs correction.  A visit to nearby town to do proper welding got delayed due to power cut.  I am still wondering what device Paramu has made - after we discussed on my visit.

I have asked for photographs of the farm and the device. Subbu wanted to send me photo after making it success.  This is the problem with we Indians :-)

******

Farm Back in Action after Holiday Break

The entire crew of the farm had been to Tirupati - a pilgrimage centre.  Subbu's Son was having tonsure. Kandan and Paramu also attended with family. They went by train for around 3 days and came back. They have arrived safely.   A sort of outdoor for the staff.

Meanwhile two lady temporary workers were running the show. There are many activities that need to be done in the farm as we have received sufficient rains.

a) The mud pond has filled itself for 3/4th of capacity.  That is good news.
b) Due to continuous windpump action, the cement tank has filled to its half capacity.

Today/tomorrow the banana siblings - Indian Country variety - will be uprooted and re-planted near the tower where earlier we attempted growing red-banana. That crop was a failure.  Now both sides of the windpump there will be banana trees.

Meanwhile the old dried out mother plants will be carried to the compost pit.

The late banana plants that did not yield - next to the cement tank - will be removed entirely. Using tracktor that will be ploughed. We intend to put vegetables over there.

The newly planted Jasmine plants have survived and is budding i heared from Subbu. that is good news.

Lots of work ahead this week........

Farm Update 26-Oct-2015 - Fragrance everywhere in the farm

Looking the success of Jasmine plant growth even in drought conditions,  It was decided earlier to expand the jasmine plot.  The other reason is, the existing 50 odd plants are giving only 200 to 400 grams of flower per day. This quantity is not sufficient for taking to market. Presently it is going waste.

Presently there is enough rain in the farm. Windpump is also giving more water. There is no scarcity and there is excess water.  Now is the time to plan all activities.

jasmine plant at Farm

Subbu had ventured to the town of Rameshwaram, the birth place of Dr. Abdul Kalam to get the Jasmine saplings.  This jasmine variety I am told is very special.  He had brought 500 of them @ Rs. 5/- each along with a companion in Bus. He had to stay overnight.

Today with help of JCB, another 75 holes have been dug.  Each hole will hold 4 saplings togather to create a bush.  Earlier we made a mistake of plating just one plant per pit.  Someone had advised to plant 4 at a time. It makes sense.  Jasmine is a bush variety.

Already the plantation has started with help of temperory workers.

FarmYard Manure Purchased earlier was waiting
for this season. Some quantity
will be put in each of the holes.

Subbu is going to Thirumala on pilgrimage for 4 days this week end. All other activities will be postponed for his arrival. He is taking Paramu and Kandan along with him for pilgrimage. The main event will be tonsure for his son.  On his coming back we need to do the following

a) Purchase additional 15 coconut saplings and plant them near the mud pond.  The coconut is growing well. Boosted by Panjagavya, it is the best plant suited for the soill

b) We also need to plant some more fruit trees, say 10 more

The existing Stock.  Not a bad growth with good care.

c) The space around the cement tank is not fertail. The banana crop has failed. I asked to clear that place and put navadhanya (9 grains) for fertility. But subbu has other plans. He has some assignment to be given to the lady workers  who will take charge in his absence. That includes planting bitter gourd, snake gourd, cucumber and onion around the water tank.

d) meanwhile I want the ladies to plant Ponnanganni Spinach (Alternanthera sessilis, Dwarf Copperleaf) around the resting place to prevent soil erosion.  We have seen this spinach grows faster and needs very less care. It will also be nutritious and is idle for arresting soil erosion. I hope so.

e) On the windpump experiments on fixing the new gadget on experimental basis to pump more water, I asked him to hold till he completes his tour. Let it be BAU activity for now.

***

Farm update 17-October-2015 - Innovation at Farm

I guess Paramu's device
must look like this. This should amplify
the strokes

Innovation at the Farm :  More Water 
The water harvest using Wind pump is more than satisfactory.  With slight wind, there is more water that is getting pumped. The new foot valve or increased pipe diameter or a combination of all has done wonders.

Not stopping at this, we want to further experiment more.  This time, Subbu and Paramu has gone  ahead with some design which they say will work.  We discussed this during our visit to the farm. We were on a bus to Palaymkottai when I sketched the Figure 1 to explain my mind.  Now Subbu and Paramu claims to have distilled a thought and has visted a workshop in Valliyoor to fabricate.  I sent some money for expenses.  Subbu says, the design is ready and they will try tomorrow.

My guess is they must have designed as in Figure 2.  the deviation from verticle will be handled by a ball bearing that they say have been purchased.  Let me wait for results...

Cropping

Meanwhile I reminded Subbu that we must do farming !.   Well there is some slight drizzle in the farm which has made the climate cool. However it is not sufficient to plough the field. Neverthless we need to prepare ourselves for coming season.

a) I have asked him to prepare the land for Groundnut sowing
b) We need to purchase Jasmine Samplings from Rameshwaram as was discussed earlier.  Subbu will travel there in few days time to bring about 100 of them in the Bus.
c) I also wanted him to look for some grown up trees instead of small saplings to speed up the fence tree plantation
d) We also need some coconut trees and Subbu has already identified where it should go in the farm.

My guess is that if it starts raining, the water will be sufficient to go for next 3 to 4 months. meanwhile windmill should produce excess water that will be stored and sustained for another 6 months.  By which time I must come with some Solar Concentrator apparatus.

***

The Phase I Change is success - More water now

The new pump after installation seems to be successful. Though the air stands still even now, from whatever small wind that was there, the pump seems to be working smooth and draws more water.  Now we are ready to go to next step.

The next step is to increase the travel length of the central transmission rod.  I guess this is done by increasing the length of eccentric that is rotating in this video. I consulted and given assignments to local guy Paramu and ABS company engineers, with different ideas  But I have different plans if they donot work.  Need to go back to basics.....

Meanwhile there were some visitors to the farm from Bangalore.   Deepak Reddy and his father along with uncle had driven all the way from Bangalore by road to see the windpump. They are in the process of finalising their purchase with ABS.

Here are photos that Deepak sent to me.  It is nice to see the farm from someone's lens.  Note how the sky looks.  Clean and Deep blue as if from space.  This is bad news for having no rains. But good news for me to implement my concentrated solar project.

Visit to the farm 27-Sep-2015 - Part 3

The pump and Filter are being unpacked.

They are being assembled like a train.

Chainblock being tested

The tall windpump standing still

Green Paint decorating the water tank frame

Subbu and Kandan assembling the chain block.

Short Rehersal of lifting the old pump using chain block.  We did not have 2" extra clamp. Shops were closed.
By that time, Paramu's Son had minor accident (scratches) in bike. So he left. We re-assembled everything back and
postponed the activity.

Well, we were shifting the chain block to workplace on shoulders. Front is Kandan.
Rear was me also taking photograph

Cinematic View of the Wind Pump

Another beautiful view

The team has priority to save these trees

The elegant machinery at the wind pump behind the propellers. I have something to share in my next post on increasing
the water output.