My Farm visit experience - May, 2015 - Part 2

A train journey helps you consolidate your thoughts.....

A farm visit would always begin with one thing in mind and end with doing something else. This is akin to visiting a mall where you go to buy something important and end up shopping a bagful of garbage, omitting the main item.

Repairing the Green Shade House was a top priority.  What i saw was that one of the corner supporting pole was seen fallen down and hence the entire tent had collapsed.

Added to that due to recent rains, the raised mud floor had developed pot holes making the floor

Green shade collapsed due to wind / Rain

uneven. Erosion of mud was seen on the periphery. The green shade net was not useful to start a nursery. This is very important for me to plan the future.  Therefore started mending the same with the team.

Doing is not easy as thinking and saying......

It was very hot and bring Sun.  This time we wanted to anchor the poles firmly and  time some cross poles so that structural stability is achieve

A strong foundation for one corner pole

Pole in place. An empty fertiliser
bag was worn like socks under
ground to extend life of pole.

d.  Earlier the poles were standing on their own with very weak links between them.  Luckily we had earlier purchased some extra casurina poles at 500/- per stick.

We did a re-plan.  The roof should be made flat and tight so that it is more laminar without sagging when there is heavy wind.  The edges of net were rolled to strengthen and stretch them to make it tout.  While structure has to be strong, the aesthetics was also achieved by creating even border around.

The ends of the net to be rolled onto the poles and the tied.

or tying the poles, we used rope, nylon ribbon and thin wire as appropriate.  First the skeletal structure was tied with all the available poles. Then the net was spread and tied.

Finally done and ready.  The mud has to be spread properly.

At the end, the job looked neat.  As of today (23.05.2015) the nursary bags are in place and they had been filled with help of women workers.  Brinjal, tomato and chilly seeds have been put 2 to 3 per bag totalling around 100 bags only.  Wanted to see if we can maintain them with available resources.

There is a small gap in the bottom. That can be either covered or left open depending on need. The idea is if there is hot wind we can cover otherwise some amount of wind is necessary for nursary plants.

Once the tent was finished, the climate inside became so pleasant.

This green shade will be my important experimental ground.  Planning to load the space with more plants in coming days....

My Farm visit experience - May, 2015 - Part 1

There are many things that you need to do in parallel when you visit your farm occassionally. I had very little time to spend for myself.

Assorted things for the farm

a) What you envisage to do will never be done.  For example I carried a seed box. That was a collection of different seeds that i collected from road side trees.  It was so irrelevant in front of other issues in the farm that the seed box came back promptly with me.  I did not want to smear the seeds without due attention and focus.

The pully system to be installed

b) Immediate things catch your attention. And each one require long time. Therefore you end up doing things in hurry.  Some of the things that can be done quickly is a) Farm inspection and feedback  b) Motivation, distribution of gifts like T-shirt  c) A bonus if you wish.

c) I paid attention to equip them with more tools. I took Subbu to nearby town exclusively to explore the hadware stores and brought an assorted varity of things for Rs. 4000/- that I felt are needed for the farm.
That includes;
1) Two weed cutters (garden hoe)
2) Three hand forks (one for my mother)
3) A Taparia Screw Driver and a Star one.  Subbu alreay has a Ellenkey set

Excess Rope is secured.  The rope is
knotted at equal spaces for hand grip

4) A heavy duty saw
5) Hack-Saw blade frame
6) A good Wringe
7) 4 Nos of S-Hooks
8) A pully
9) Wire cutter
10) GI Wire of two thickness
11) A plumb line
12) A Hammer
13) Heavy duty cotton Rope

The Pully is in place

d) Climbed the windmill mast and secured the Pully and Rope with help of Kandan and Subbu. This arrangement now can be used to easily lift the Pipe assembly whenever there is repair.

e) Enquired about the pipe rates in hardware shops. Decided to replace the current 1.25 inch pipe with 1.75 inch pipes to get more water (hopefully). This will also allow more headroom for the central rod to push and pull

*********

So Finally Shade Roof to beat the summar

The farm had a shade which fell few months back. Since then after many months of waiting to purchase stone pillars failed, we decided to use scarp iron poles to build a new one.  I left it to Subbu on the design part.  Only this time we wanted to raise the flooring.

This is what I sort of planned many months back and drew
on a piece of paper.

The following material goes into making a large shade roofing.

1. 6 Iron Pipes,  4 of 6 feet and 2 of 12 Feet height costing 45/- Kg of iron totalling Rs. 4500
2. 400 Nos Coconut tree leaves knitted  at 6/- each totalling 2400
3. Skilled Labor for 2 days @ 500 each person total 2 persons = 2000
4. Concrete for iron pillars and preparing the ground = 1000

The roofing is made of knitted dry coconut leafs. flooring is sand on raised pit.  It can host around 10 people comfortably or 15 people sitting.  It has come out little smaller than expected, but is cute and just enough considering many other aspects.  There is one issue, that is soil erosion on the sides. Have no idea how to contain that.  I also may need to arrange some solar lantern and a wire cot or bench.

And this is what achieved.  It is on a raised bed with Sand spread across.
There are bricks lined to decorte and hold the sand.
Originally i planned to spray cowdung. But that is not required now.

The roof inside

Kandan's Dog is the first soul to take rest.  Look at the relaxed posture.
He is enjoying his nap in hot Sun.

And my value addition. -  Hanging a mirror to a pole to groom oneself.

Farm Progress in Visuals April end, 2015

The first yield of Bananas are good.  One bunch was taken home and distributed
after offering to God.  In right time, there is a festival going ON in nanguneri.
There were 19 more that went ripe and was purchased @175/- per bunch for a local
temple festival

Water stagnated immediately after summer rain at April third week. It dried in 2 days.

water drops on Casurina plants. 

Children enjoying in the farm

Finally my home ladies inspecting the farm. There is a sense of approval. I can go ahead with
some more mischief projects like this I hope.  You never know, when the gear will reverse

My friend, farm supervisor Subbu posing with Banana

And Kandan, who grow these from zero.

They are searching for herbs and trying to identify. Many of these names are not known to
kandan and subbu. So it was a test.

The jasmine plant with drip pipe. The first attempt to drip.

Rainwater directed to the pond.

The fish tank is full of water.  Water is muddy. There are many frogs that were visible on the banks.
They jump inside with slight disturbance.  The banks have to be secured with vettiver. That project is a failure
as two people so far have not delivered as promised.

A healthy tree

Newly constructed shade place.  Subbu calls it as perai.
I want to name this later.  More story about this later

For recycling of waste.  Detailed story was covered earlier.
However I am disappointed to see it is not being used properly.
There is scarcity of cowdung. The owners of cow sheds are selling it to
people from kerala. So locally not available.
Panjakavya has virtually stopped. I want to take some drastic steps.

This luxury only during rains. In two days this was dry.

The majestic windpump working with no issues. However there was no wind.
Next month onwards there will plenty of wind.

Some insects are eating all citrus leaves.  Agni astram is not working as leaves are falling
so Team has left it.  I am waiting for some predator insects to develop.
Meanwhile neem would be good solution. Should spray some Neem extract over these.

Atlast our Sastha has got a roof for himself. Brand new roof. Story later......

The farm view from road side. Birds are freely visiting. There is more greenery now.

Kandan with his domastic dog.  He says this is his companion.

Drip pipes are drawn at will.

Unhealthy banana section. This piece of land is not fertile. Earlier I wanted to
plant kolingi and grow green manure. That failed due to lack of water.
Need to do something for this.

This is how the Pods develop in banana.  Note the big ants. They are here to suck the nectre.

Some bird has constructed nest and laid eggs inside banana bunch.

Farm Update 22-April-2015

There had been heavy rain for a day in the farm. today is very sunny as per Subbu.  I asked if we got enough water into "our pond".  He said the pond is full and fishes are not visible. They tried to catch them but with no success.  I told him to drag the net or buy a fishing rod.

Anyway I am happy. The farm must be rejuvenating with different life forms. I am scheduled to visit next week myself.  It must be visual treat.

Meanwhile Subbu is busy building the long pending shade roof for resting.  The earlier one which stood for 4 years had fallen few months back.  From then I have been planning to build a new one. Except for a small room near the gate, there is no shade for workers.

Finally the iron pipes have been purchased from Vailliyoor, a nearby town.  Costing Rs 45 to 60/- per KG of iron depending on thickness, the pipes were purchased with reasonable thickness to withstand weight. They are not new pipes.  To keep costs minimal he had gone for scarp pipes. That is good from environment recycling point.

Earlier we thought of going for stone pillars, but we could not get them as there is police raid going ON for many months in this part.  There is BAN on movement of any vehicle carrying stone, mud or sand.

The following material goes into making a large shade roofing.

6 Iron Pipes,  4 of 6 feet and 2 of 12 Feet height costing 45/- Kg of iron totalling Rs. 4500
400 Nos Coconut tree leaves knitted  at 6/- each totalling 2400
Skilled Labor for 2 days @ 500 each person total 2 persons = 2000
Concrete for iron pillars and preparing the ground = 1000

The entire focus is also put into cleaning the farm devoid of unwanted grass etc.  He has hired two ladies on part time for cutting weeds.   Subbu wants to make sure the farm look more tidy before I come.  I did want to intervene and draw other priorities, as I donot want to disturb the spirit and flow.

*****

Subbu's First fish feast

"Sir, we caught two fishes. I just wanted to check if the fishes are there.  They are 250 grams each"....  Subbu was narrating with much of hesistation, shyness in voice.

I understood, he wanted to eat fish.

I asked straight question.  Subbu, did you eat fish? How was it ?. He would'nt answer out of respect, as I am a vegetarian.

Then I said, don't worry, all fish is for you only. Enjoy every Sunday.

I am surprised the fishes have grown to 200 grams each. There must be hundreds of them in the mud pond which Subbu was safeguarding all these days with bare minimum water. He deserves some fun.

Farm Progress in Visual 09-Apr-2015

Few trees have come to fruition.  This will be ready for harvest in 2 weeks.  

A portion of Farm as it appears from Gate side.  Surprised to see complete change of landscape near the tower because of better care and water.

The water pipes of the windmill are extracted from the borewell and kept outside This week to reach a clog.
This was re-assembled with another pump at the end.

One of the unsent photos of February.  Shows the harvested Sweet Potato. Not bad at all.  They are looking healthy
At that time we fetched a market rate of Rs. 10/- as against going rate of 6/- due to the shining and juicy construct

Sacs of Banana roots just arrived

The healthy Juicy Red-banana roots.  To be sowed today/tomorrow.  It requires some preparation of the soil with 6 array and 12 array tracktor plough to break
the mud and create soil powder 

The 2nd batch of banana trees are growing well. I didnt expect this height.

Custom laid drop pipes by Subbu to cover fence and coconut plants

Another Segment of Drop pipes circling the jasmine plants

The tapping for Drop segments from the underground pipe coming from overhead tank.
Total 3 segments going to three different directions.

Special mention about the layout :  I had an argument with Subbu about why he has laid the pipes in long linear fashion rather than the typical one to many configuration of drop laterals.  He gave a satisfactory answer.  If we split more pipes from a common pipe, the pressure to each will reduce. Since we donot have pressure (But enough volume), he has made a long pipe winding across the farm.  So far as water reaches the last point that is good.   And It does reach.

The windpump is sick

Yesterday Subbu mentioned that the windpump is not rotating. Whereas the windmill rotor is working, the up and down motion of the rod assemble has got jammed somewhere down inside the boring.

It was decided to replace the pump by lifting all the piples and re-assembling again. We have a spare pump that was brought for our handpump.  That had a bigger boring, but would pump water only on one stroke. He had at his disposal Kandan and two ladies.  He called for one more helping hand and was prepared to lift the pipes. I wondered how he has gained confidence over a period of time. For such a similar activity, last year we called for a borewell mechanic, plumber and special wrench. Since then I have been insisting on investing on a wrench.  Now he has one.

It was 6.30 pm, by when the team has finished dis-assembling all the 12 pipes (10 x 12 = 100 feet). I asked him to call it a day as it would be dark over there. Safety is important.

Today, the team completed the remaining job.I am told the pump is working fine now.  He said he fixed only 80 feet of pipes and that is enough as there is enough water.  This shortened length would bring more water.  Logical !

Next time we need to put a pully atop the tower. So that we can lift the piples by pulling the ropes tied to them.  I suggested and we need to try this idea. I am scheduled to visit the farm this month end. Let me see......

Not an easy feat this - Transporting Red Banana Roots

Banana Roots

Getting Banana roots from across Thirumangalam.

One of my desire got fulfilled.  I have a facebook friend Thirumurthy of Sathyamangalam, Erode District. He is natural farmer. Recently he has cultivated Red Bananas. After the harvest he offered the roots to anyone of interest. I asked 250 Nos for myself.

How do I transport them from across 450 kilometers from Thirumangalam, Erode to Nanguneri, Tirunelveli ?   It has to come fresh without damage and and quick before drying up.    Finally after a week of waiting for Thirumurthy to find labor to dig the roots, we quickly coordinated each other and shifted them in 15 gunny bags overnight through a transport.  It was a new experience for either parties.  When it arrived at Tirunelveli, I coordinated with Subbu to pickup the material.  He said they are in very good condition.

Below are the details 

Description	Rate	Quantity	Amount
Digging the Roots	3	250	750
Vehicle - Auto from Sathya to Coimbatore	1	1400	1400
Root cost	3	250	750
Nellai-Kovai-Transport	1	1950	1950
Lorry Nellai-Nanguneri	1	1400	1400
			6250
	Per Root		Rs. 25

Now that the roots are on hand, we need to quickly prepare the land for sowing. We have selected the piece next to the tower so that we can put drip pipes over there from the overhead tank.

Subbu is very busy these days. He would be restless to close the call. Asked him why?. He said overall the work has increased. I can understand.  With so many pipes and butterfly valves to open and close, Kandan is unable to understand their relations. Everytime Subbu has to come to operate them.  Perhaps I have to do something for this.  Subbu has got fedup educating kandan on this.

Presently he was irrigating banana plantsr. There is power cut issue. He borrows water from nearby well. I asked why should we depend on a neighbor for water and pumping. He said he was conserving our own water.  He is obsessed that fishes should have plenty of water.  The bananas require liberal water towards the end.  The existing banana trees are just 2 months away for harvest and require more water.  Hopefully once that is harvested we can focus on these red bananas.

I already gave around 30 roots to another farmer enroute  by again coordination and sending their person to collect them.  Another 25 Nos I asked Subbu to give his father. He hesistated. I said it will create a competition.  I want to start a competition. So that we can bench mark each other. he is using fertiliser and it will be reference point for me to compare how it grows in natural and fertiliser environments.

*****