Farm Update 06-Oct-2016

Subbu is frustrated.  It is understood.  There is intense heat there continuously.  There is no rain for the past 8 months. No. Not a single drop of water. Not even clouds.

My guess is right.  The macro climatic predictions done by Government, Met and other agencies are still far from reality. They are done for policy makers, share market and general public in cities who are unconnected with reality. Clouds appearing on satellite maps not necessarily bring rain. They never.

There is drought in this part of country. there is floods in another. None of this appear in bulletin.

Something must be done to Farmers - to record and predict local micro climatic conditions.  Even their time tested traditional techniques of observing birds is failing them because of global climate (Warming).

So no drop of water. No wind either.  Subbu is disgusted because we had to purchase water several times.  Even then the water poured is drying up within half day and the trees are drooping down. This is exactly words of Subbu's explanation of why he is frustrated.  Generally villagers donot like spending money and that too wastefully on water.  Paying for water would be accptable to city folks. Even to drink one liter of water we pay 20/- without any shame.  But in village they are yet to be dragged into corporate exploitative vicious world.  For them purchasing water is still not digestible.


He had fixed the handpump in the new well.  Employed one lady employee to water the plants as we did 4 years back.  History repeats. I asked him to put a canopy for shade. He had purchased matted coconut tree leaves 20 nos for this. There is no helping hand for him to build a canopy.  Kandan is not coming

Kandan has vouched for a temple.  He has put "mala" for a local diety and has gone for alms around. Therefore he is unable to visit the farm. This will continue till he fulfils his vow.

I had asked for some pictures to be sent. But he has no time.  The coordination of water tracktor, pumping the water with hand, watering etc in the absence of Kandan is taxing on him.

The plight of small and medium farmers across the country is the same situation.   No opportunity to cultivate due to lack of water.  On a macro level the water politics, or water lobby is creating more hurdles for farmers.


Something must be done.
Something must be done.
Something must be done.
Something must be done.
Something must be done.
Something must be done.
Something must be done to small farmers.

I cannot let the farm dry after like this year after year.  Inspite of fact that now 2 bore wells are there, the pond is expanded, there are cement tanks and overhead tanks. Lack of power in the farm is another factor.

I must expedite my verticle windpump.   But even then it will not make my farm secure with water.  I need even more power. Perhaps concentrated Solar Energy again. I must ride two horses now on......

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No water No water and being pushed to the Edge

Renewable Sources or Survival First ?

The climate is hot hot and hot in my farm. There had been no rains for the past few months. Ironically there is no wind either.  It is not supposed to be this way.  Perhaps climate change is becoming a reality and a local issue ?   Elders are saying that the seasons are delaying.  This month is supposed to be having high speed wind. That was how it was last year. Today there is zero wind.

Near my farm, other towns like Nanguneri are experiencing fast depletion of water from their large ponds.  The well water levels are also going down. People were cheerful just two months back when there were rains. We hoped the water collected in ponds will stay put for many months. That seems to be not the case now.

Back in the farm, Subbu has raised the SOS.  Yesterday when I wanted to check on the progress of JCB work on the planned digging activity to expand the existing rain water pond, he was not at all in a mood to answer any questions.  His only thought was WATER. He was very sad and agitated.   He said without water the banana and other crops will dry out soon.  He urged me to do something urgently. The windmill is not working due to lack of wind.  The neighboring well owner has refused to share water because it is required for his own use.

Subbu urgently called for a suggestion.  Perhaps we need to buy an Oil Pump and Compressor. The existing mini kerosene motor is not able to pull the water.  Perhaps we need to spend 15 K on this.   Purchasing water is another option. But it costly one and is not sustainable.  The local wisdom says, we need to own our own pump set.

His urge was so much that he set out late in the evening on motorcycle to Tirunelveli market to survey new Pumps.  I asked him to wear helmet without fail.  By 8.30 PM when I checked with him, the market was half closed due to ABJ Abdul Kalam's last rites ceremony. (He is the 11th president of India).

Initial inquiry reveals that 5 KV Pumpset with Dieseal motor will cost upwards of 30K..  We decided if we go for a pump, we will go for a good company brand.  Second hand is not reliable.  Hmmmm. Need to take a call today after exploring further options.

I hate this idea of buying a Fossil fuel pump.  But what is the choice now?   When you need to water the plants in next 48 hours or less ?  We need to save the crops.  All other things take a backseat now.

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