Farm Update in Visuals - 30-Oct-2017

Hmm.. The new wire from room to boring is found on the ground. Needs to be raised above pole (tracktor height). Discussed with Subbu. Some blunders they keep doing inspite of several planning.  He said he will mount them on Casurina poles.

Trees are maturing

There are snakes in the farm. Why are there loose bricks near the seating arrangement ?

Nice to see that the coconut is growing

Perfect shot by Subbu to capture the growing bananas

The other side of Wind Tower.

Now the road inside will be good to walk.

Jasmine plot.

Windpump at distance. During recent heavy wind, it has exercised the strom control procedure automatically.
Meaning, the tail and rotor fan are now in right angles to each other. This is a safety feature.
But needs to be put back to operations. I want to take opportunity to do silver painting and grease packing.
A tower need to be built to reach and do the work. Waiting.

Some vegetables. I donot know what. Not so dense.

Subbu said there is a snake visible in this photo. There are far too many snakes in this pond he said
Unsuccessfully tried to captured

Jasmine plot. Another older one, now into shrubs. Yes, flowers are wasted because the minimum
marketable quantity is not there as this is off season.

Farm Update 17-Oct-2017

Cucumber and Cluster beans

Activity around the farm went bit slow last week due to Subbu's travel to Tirupati. He had gone to Tirupati with family for a darshan. His mother in law would join him from Mumbai and they had a good time. He reached Village yesterday.

Vendor

Earlier Cucumber was harvested twice or thrice and carried into villages by two old ladies.  Later got a feedback that people are not buying it rather under cutting its price. Meanwhile "Seeni Araikkai" as it is called in village or Cluster beans (Kothavarangai in tamil) has fetched Rs. 25/- per KG and sold at around 30/- or above.  Subbu told a bucket ful of cluster beans weighted only 2 KG. Perhaps that is why people brought it fast, becuase it gives sense of getting more quantity for less (money)

Subbu told there had been heavy rain few days back. The tank is full. Windpump is normal. I am waiting for first snaps which he said he will post today.

Farm Musings - Thursday 5th October, 2017

Speaking to Subbu almost on daily basis. I suspect more followup is required to get work done on the ground. The team out there has still not realised that we are losing precious time.

Whereas Intense heat, no rains, day to day repairs, lack of purpose, finance condition and unnecessary farm expenses are bothering Subbu's mind, the preceived opportunity, slowness in sowing, anxity and fear of not starting a long agriculture journey that I was waiting for all these years are on top of my mind.  So conversation drags.

Against a long list of vegetables that I asked him to try, so far only Tomato, bringal has been sown.  Cucumber, pumpkin are growing already. Pepper (mirchi) is a failure.  I urged Subbu to buy as many varieties. How can I go to customers (housewifes) with produce if I have no variety ?  I impressed on him that ladies would prefer to change menu and hence prefer different vegetables every day.  We need to grow everything - onion, potato, bitter guard, ladies finger, greens....... whatever you see in a vegetable market.

I understood why Subbu is hesitant to go to Valliyoor and buy seeds. He is finding challenge in getting the seeds sprouting properly inspite of preparing the nursery bed softly. Failure he attributes to heat. I asked him to create a permanent nursery corner with shade. Transplantation should be done only after the plant grows taller.

We have plans to replace the ailing old coconut knitted leave roof of the rest room.  The old coconut leaf roof to be removed from the main rest room to be used for nursery shade.

I had been successful in contacting the aunty I was banking ON for me to setup the first organic vegetable shop at her house a nearby town. She has gone to visit her Son.  She responded positively and promised she will return to her home town next month and start work. She even asked if we can print notices.  So we have one month within which to plan for flex boards, notices and grow vegetables. Once she starts the shop, we must have continuous supply to that shop. Word of mouth by ladies will create more demand I hope.






  

A humble beginning - Cucumber Sale

Subbu mentioned that around 27KG of Cucumber was harvested and given to 2 Peddlers.  The old women who carry on head in a basket and sell in villages.  They have taken at Rs. 10/- per Kg and sold at Rs. 15/- per Kg I heard. This is nice. This is what I want. Responsible and sustainable pricing.

For a 300 KG investment, they must get atleast Rs. 150 profit for selling the whole day on foot. 

Vegetable seeds sprouted. Waiting re-planting

Meanwhile the aunty whom I was banking ON to sell at Nanguneri Village in one of the houses portico is travelling. I am unable to reach her during this crucial moment.

 Anyway I have to work on a backup plan. I have started exploring some others who are willing to work for me.  Subbu is read to deliver daily produce on two wheeler.

Meanwhile Banana is growing.