Subbu is back in action. Everyday we speak. Together what we decided is this - "Let's Go forward."
Now that we have backup plans in place for water, I told Subbu that we must do something to earn to make this a sustainable even if that is in small sale. Not that we have not attempted in the past, but this year is special in the sense that we have now water security for the first time. We hope we can continuously grow now. For marketing in my mind i have the original plan of inviting small vegetable peddlers or sell these vegetables in Nanguneri Town through known people. In the long run, we may move the produce to further distance or sell through online.
The Windpump is working fine. Subbu had recently replaced a worn out bearing with new and sturdier one purchased from tirunelveli. Grease is packed. Only wind is low. Diseal generator and pump are working and is very handy. Only that it consumes around 2 liters (Rs. 60/- ltr) every hour, but provides an assured volume of water for irrigation. Electricity (single phase) is there, but I need to invest on a pumpset and accessories. Subbu and team are very strongly asking for it as they calculate that using electricity will work out cheaper than diesal. That is going to be a huge investment (another post later). The cost of accessories (pipe, wire) outweighs the cost of pump itself as per preliminary quote obtained.
As promised already, Subbu had created raised mud bars for vegetables. The choice i left it to him. No. he did not listen to my wish list and took his own call. He wants to grow cucumber. He says it is selling Rs. 400 a bag. I thought myself "what will happen during the harvest time?" everyone will now be sowing cucumber. This is the stupid cycle the farmers go through every time.
I believe he had already sown bringal, cucumber etc.... seeds purchased from Valliyoor. It must have got germinated by now. These photos are one week old as Subbu's phone was held for repair. Neverthless I am happy that some of the patches that were earlier showing less growth have not been tilled, manured and raised bars are made. Almost slowly every inch of space of the farm should be growing something or other in coming days. That is the wish.... Praying for one more rain.
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The traditional irrigation method. I cannot influence these guys. They just follow
the same old methods. Note that the mud is still very dry. Just only one rain had come in the past. |
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| The shed visible is the generator shed - recently constructed |
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| Good shape of Amla tree |
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| The old coconuts planted last year have grown. The new ones are sprouting. |
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