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Tuesday, 24 May 2016

Farm Update 24-May-2016

Land dispute and resolution:  While the 3.5 acre where we are experimenting with farming is intact with compound and windpump fed irrigation,  there is another 6 acre outside at a distance of 300 meters from the main land.  That piece doesnot have approach road and has been kept for a future expansion.     Few months back  problem came when someone claimed that a piece of that land belongs to him.   We asked for original document and he did show the piece in his document. There are no doubts.

What had happened was earlier when I was purchasing the joint holding, this guy was missed out by my seller. It is common that a each of the members will have small pieces, which when joined will become large. Originally the patriarch of the family would have divided his land among his siblings.   Out of the 6 members who owned by 6 acres, my seller had contacted and compensated only 5.  This guy had turned down the invitation at that time to come for registration office. Now he is claiming he owns his piece.  Whereas my seller should have compensated him, which he failed.

We said "take it".  "Just measure it and take your piece of land. We will fence the remaining land".

The guy wouldn't do it for few weeks. For he has to spend money to invite surveyor. He dont' want to spend money. But he badly needed money.  So we sat and negotiated with him for a settlement.

Now the options is of compensating him and registering his property as mine.  But he was unwilling to spend money for registration either.  It will be 12% of value.  So finally after few months we decided we will pay him and get his signature on stamp paper. His wife, himself and his Son had signed a stamp paper from notary such that he will not seek any more compensation.

All these was done by Subbu only. He has the sufficient knowledge in dealing with land records. Moreover the guy cited above is not so polite and Subbu did not want me to talk to him directly. In villages when someone gets an upper hand, he/she would talk too many things unnecessarily.

Meanwhile the original land is already on my name in Patta records (Government revenue records). Therefore there is no issues of him claiming in future. This settlement was done only on moral grounds.  Villagers generally abide by these.

My visit to farm :  My children are having holidays. I am taking them for a vacation and after few tourist places,  reaching my villages in first week of June.  Will be visiting the farm in person.  I may have just two days in all to meet my mother visit native place and see the farm.

New Borewell : After  many arguments my wife is half convinced on my proposal to go for a new borewell. This will be in addition to what windpump is installed on.  I hope this new borewell will be able to supply more water to complete the irrigation needs of my farm. Presently there is water shortage. With windpump giving between 1000 to 5000 liters of water per day, is not sufficient to start any new crop.

Tentatively decided to put a bore for 300 feet come what may.  The place is also decided approximately through local knowledge.  We expect to bore somewhere near the electricity tower which is diametrically opposite to a large water catchment on the other side of the road. ie., i am expecting ground water on account of the large pond (which will be dry for most part of the year).  Moreover the neighboring well at a distance of 500 meters is also in the same line of sight. that has adequate water.

The new borewell which should cost around 12K  and will be installed with some old diesel slow pump (around 25K) and a compressor. (around 16K).  We need to look for them after boring.  This will be temporary arrangement. My dream is to replace them with Concentrated Solar Energy apparatus which is currently being designed by me (albeit slowly. Because in the balcony of my apartment I cannot make huge noise with my angle grinder and drilling machine).

Unhappy Spouse : Meanwhile my wife continues to be unhappy at the sight of do-nothing farming. I have asked Subbu to till the land to clear of the weeds and make it neat so that when we visit in first week, some useful work can be started.  He is waiting for one wet rain.  It is marketing time for me now.




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