I was exploring with Subbu if we can extract the essence from Jasmine flowers. Since it is highly perishable crop, and nearby market is far away, we only get customers from local market for their own consumption. (Ladies wear Jasmine in villages / towns). Nearest airport is Tuticorin and it may take half day or more to reach anywhere. The cost and effort will not workout atleast for now to export it to far away places where there is demand.
Therefore alternative is to extract essence or essential oil. I browsed internet and found few useful pictures. Based on that we may develop our own gadget in coming months. Subbu warned that any such distillation at farm will come under suspect by police as spurious liquor distillation is rampant these days.
That said, let us see the current state of farm in visuals.
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| Even I am surprised looking at this. This is the way leading to windmill. There used to be only dwarf plants on right side. The coconut tree is later addition and seems to have grown really well. There is ground water near the windpump. Seen in yellow color under the tower is the windpump amplifier that I fabricated in Pune and sent last year. This is still not put to use to its fullest potential. I am coaxing Subbu to get that up and running to save on electricity (story later) |
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| Banana trees adjascent to the windmill tower. In another 2 months they will mature. Earlier banana patch was large. But now it has shrunk due to other trees growing rapidly. |
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| IT was a wise decision that we took 6 months back to plant tree saplings near the white tank. Otherwise this is an infertile patch. Once we planted banana and it never grew to maturity. But these trees are looking better. |
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| The classic entrance from the gate. This view is a reference point for me to track how mature the trees are growing. I have several photos from same spot since several years. |
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| In the hot Sun, Kandan seems to be rushing to water some tree. Look at the moringa tree it is healthy. That should be my next cash crop. I spoke to Subbu about it today. Earlier last year he had promised to get sticks, but due to some issue that time, skipped. |
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| Lots of shade due to growing coconut trees. |
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| A beautiful and never before seen view of the Jasmine patch. The tree is a new addition that I donot know. The Neem tree seems to grow well and fast in the farm. |
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| This is the culprit. A very fast growing weed type of tree (actually this is common in Pune. I got the seeds spread last time, but never expected this will grow like this). This is occupying prime portion of banana patch adj to windpump. |
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| The sapota patch at the distance |
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| Healthy |
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| Unhealthy. Needs attention as there is attack of pest. Neem oil+soap was sprayed the holes were blocked with lime. |
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| The pond is try. The vettiver has grow well. It prevents soil erosion. Recall this was replanted from near windmill after it grew like a bush with threat of snakes. here also there will be snakes as it is around the pond with frogs. Important to note in this picture is the growth of trees on the north fence side. This is important to stop the warm winds from blowing into the farm. A long planned dream come true. |
