Wednesday 18 November 2015

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.

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