Sometimes you start doubting fundamentals. People around you start asking pertinent questions and expect obvious answers.
They ask "What is that you are cultivating?".
Well Yerrr... really nothing, no we are growing onions... in small patch... then some sweet potatoes,... yes we have some fish... No actually we are not focusing on cultivation, we are growing trees, some 40 coconut, may be we need to plant more. actually there is no space ......
One of the issue with Corporate trained morons like us doing agriculture is that we spend more time on infra structure buildup. We are exited by "projects" on the farm, like digging holes, welding rods or pumping water and blowing money. We cannot connect our investment with output because timelines are large.
You keep pumping resources, you donot get intended results, but you get something else - an eco system gets built around which is self sustaining and reliable. Next time around you stop supply, but it keeps going.. These are not tangible benefits.
It was running in my mind when I called on Subbu, I told him "Let's talk only about cultivation for the next 30 minutes." He agreed and so we spoke. It was fruitful.
Am I doing agriculture ? What is my end result ?
My end result will be to supply continuous variety of vegetables to small vendors who would visit the farm.
Here "continuous" means in succession. For this we need a proper nursery. Instead of building nursery we are building dining table.
Well Subbu caught what was in my mind and he was quick to pitch in. After all, all these years of conversation has worked his mind.
He said he also thought to grow vegetables and started rattling names... Some of which he had already started, but did not convey to me for fear of failure.
a) Chilli plants are growing success after third attempt. First two were failures. Now it is fine. Subbu advocates growing seeds on a small patch and then transplanting instead of nursery. He doesnot like the nursery concept, because he says it is difficult to grow them in bags and discard them later. (Bugger should have told me long back). That explains why nursery has not shaped properly inspite of pumping money. (oh No infra talk now).
He prefers to cover with Palm Leaves for mulching so they protect the seedlings and sprouts from birds
b) Brinjal is also growing well in a patch, waiting for transporting. But now the problem of Water has started. The Farm is getting hotter by the day. If we re-plant the brinjal with more space, we need more water. (Moreon water later).
c) Jasmine is growing fine. Even the new ones are fine. I can see the satisfaction in Subbu's voice of having accomplished something useful.
d) Ridge Gourd and Snake Guard : Are raised at ground level. I had earlier advocated "pandal". But as per Village practice, they are grown at ground level. It is ok so far the rain doesnot come.
e) Sweet Potato, Some Papaya, Turmeric add to variety.
f) Casurina has grown very tall. They also need water every week.
g) Sapota and Amla shrubs have become more mature into small trees. That is good news.
h). The coconut has escaped attack of the pest. Thanks to a concotion of "Kolinji" and "Thumbai", both common plants whose juice is applied on bore holes of pest in Coconut tree. They are gone.
i) Subbu also named "Kodukkapuli" tree has become big. They are enjoying its fruits... and started laughing. Employee pride and owner's envy.
Well was satisfied with the agriculture activity that we are attempting...
They ask "What is that you are cultivating?". Well Yerrr... really nothing, no we are growing onions... in small patch... then some sweet potatoes,... yes we have some fish... No actually we are not focusing on cultivation, we are growing trees, some 40 coconut, may be we need to plant more. actually there is no space ......
One of the issue with Corporate trained morons like us doing agriculture is that we spend more time on infra structure buildup. We are exited by "projects" on the farm, like digging holes, welding rods or pumping water and blowing money. We cannot connect our investment with output because timelines are large.
You keep pumping resources, you donot get intended results, but you get something else - an eco system gets built around which is self sustaining and reliable. Next time around you stop supply, but it keeps going.. These are not tangible benefits.
It was running in my mind when I called on Subbu, I told him "Let's talk only about cultivation for the next 30 minutes." He agreed and so we spoke. It was fruitful.
Am I doing agriculture ? What is my end result ?
My end result will be to supply continuous variety of vegetables to small vendors who would visit the farm.
Here "continuous" means in succession. For this we need a proper nursery. Instead of building nursery we are building dining table.
Well Subbu caught what was in my mind and he was quick to pitch in. After all, all these years of conversation has worked his mind.
He said he also thought to grow vegetables and started rattling names... Some of which he had already started, but did not convey to me for fear of failure.
a) Chilli plants are growing success after third attempt. First two were failures. Now it is fine. Subbu advocates growing seeds on a small patch and then transplanting instead of nursery. He doesnot like the nursery concept, because he says it is difficult to grow them in bags and discard them later. (Bugger should have told me long back). That explains why nursery has not shaped properly inspite of pumping money. (oh No infra talk now).
He prefers to cover with Palm Leaves for mulching so they protect the seedlings and sprouts from birds
b) Brinjal is also growing well in a patch, waiting for transporting. But now the problem of Water has started. The Farm is getting hotter by the day. If we re-plant the brinjal with more space, we need more water. (Moreon water later).
c) Jasmine is growing fine. Even the new ones are fine. I can see the satisfaction in Subbu's voice of having accomplished something useful.
d) Ridge Gourd and Snake Guard : Are raised at ground level. I had earlier advocated "pandal". But as per Village practice, they are grown at ground level. It is ok so far the rain doesnot come.
e) Sweet Potato, Some Papaya, Turmeric add to variety.
f) Casurina has grown very tall. They also need water every week.
g) Sapota and Amla shrubs have become more mature into small trees. That is good news.
h). The coconut has escaped attack of the pest. Thanks to a concotion of "Kolinji" and "Thumbai", both common plants whose juice is applied on bore holes of pest in Coconut tree. They are gone.
i) Subbu also named "Kodukkapuli" tree has become big. They are enjoying its fruits... and started laughing. Employee pride and owner's envy.
Well was satisfied with the agriculture activity that we are attempting...
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