No Water Day 2 or Day 3

Well entire day went in hunting and discussing for a right Pump Set.

Finally we concluded what we need is a "Slow Speed Diesel Engine with Free Wheel" with Double Compressor which can reach upto 200 feet depth.

But the cost is very high.  We wanted only company Brands like Kirloskar. But they are costing above 30K + Compressor. In the maze of information in internet, we are still searching who could be the right dealer.  Willing to pay only 20+ for entire solution without compromising on quality.

let me see.....

Meanwhile the team is sitting at the farm,  fingers crossed.   Today the neighbor had agreed to provide water. But alas ! There is no current.  For entire day the current did not come.

If this situation continues - No current,  No wind, No water, we will go for a tracktor tank load of water tomorrow morning. But that would be just enough to wet the soil and survive the plants.

Meanwhile Subbu is on his way to visit a farm where a farmer wants to sell his old Engine. If that clicks it will be great.

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.

***

Farm Update - 27th July, 2015

My mood was upbeat last few days.  I hear many farming activities going all over the country like tilling the soil, seeding etc in preparation for the season to come.  In my farm, the weather is still dry, but I do hope that rains will come soon.  Weatherman has predicated that there will be rains from 12th of August near Tirunelveli.  Let me prepare myself for the same.

Called Subbu and had a long chat on the planning ahead for Aadi Pattam.  We covered all topics including one of my proposal to purchase a house in my native place for later settlement.

1. Windpump is working normal.  Currently only 4 pipes are connected (40 feet). We will connect more as and when required.  I asked the extra pipes to be kept in proper order.  Earlier I had asked him to purchase/make in the welding workshop something of the shape of    'Y' in iron. The idea is two Y--------------Y  can hold the iron pipes off the ground.  Subbu mentioned it will be vulnarable for theft. But anyway it has to be kept in open.  Perhaps we can tie with a chain and lock.

2.  Wanted to increase the size of the rainwater pond. Currently it is 30 feet x 30 feet. Perhaps we need to double the size.  Tomorrow JCB is coming. That could be 2 days of work for JCB and may cost (Rs. 700 x 8 x 2) + 600.

3.  We need to dig pits for jasmine flower saplings. Planning to expand jasmine flowers as it is giving good yield. Currently about 1/2 kg is coming per day. That is not enough for market. Ladies are adoring them.  with additional plants we can reach around 1 KG per day. Then it makes sense to sell.

4.  The first thing before digging the mud pond would be to save the bottom mud which is now full of nutrients because earlier fish had been there.  This fertail mud will be used for jasmine pits.  The saplings will be purchased in Nagarcoil nursary.

5.  There is a litigation with my plot of land that I had earlier purchased (Not part of this main farm, but at a walk-able distance. This is yet to be fenced. There is no road for this).  Someone is claiming a piece of that land belongs to himself. We are verifying the EC.  If his claim is true, then I may have to pay some money to him.  Let's see.  This plot is important for me as in near future I am planning to do my experiments on Concentrated Solar Power. I want to solve this issue asap.

6. Assuming there will be rains, I want to grow some regular crops this time, taking risk with rains.  Finalised.   we will go for one little millet and one green gram in a small available patch.

7.  Cowdung 2nd lot has come. Subbu has already made panjagavya. It will be put to jasmine plants, sapota, guva trees.  I asked him to buy neem cakes and keep them ready.

8. Some of the Red-banana is not growing well. Without wasting time, Subbu want to replace them with local country variety.  In this experiment it appears Red Banana is not suitable for our climate.

9. I urged him to put some creeper variety vegertable. For this a small "pandal" need to be constructed.  Creeper vegetables like bitter guard will give good yield. But there is no space. We will manage somewhere.

What is On top of my Mind....Self Review

Well, it is few years now that I have started my initiative.  What is that which is running in my mind. Let me try to capture with all sincerity in an unbiased manner.  This will help myself for introspection and others to know if I am fairing well or not.  I imagine someone asking these questions and answer that.

Am I exited doing farming ?
Yes, I eagerly look forward every day to hear some or other news about the farm.  There is a farm in my mind, ever growing. There is a farm out there physically, also growing.

Do I hear good news or bad news ?
Most of the time bad news. One or other problem / issue to be sorted out.  Even yesterday there was a problem with the pump which got choked. But these are good mechanical problems and food for thought.  Solution always comes in a day or two, and keeps the team engaged.

However solving problems is not farming. Only doing farming will grow farm.  Therefore it becomes difficult to get back the attention the farm deserves in growing crops.

What is happening in the farm ?
Nothing. Apparantly nothing. However it is like a ship moving to dock. You see the ship, coming coming coming slowly testing the patience. But one day it is there right in front of you. Similarly growing plants is very slow process. But cumulative effect is wonderful, irreversible and magnificent.

So what is the achievement ?
Grown Bananas - very successfully and sold also.  Grown sweet potatoes and sold.  Price is not much but  learnings are plenty.  Growing jasmine flower.  Growing various trees.  growing fence. Many other botanical specimens like Henna. But they are so small in quantity, it is not commercial success, but adds to bio-diversity.

Where do you find challenge ?
Many things.  In my dream I had a big farm,  with bullock or tracktor ploughing the farm.  Workers wearing uniform assigned with duties. They take rest have tea and lunch breaks, chat, be happy. There are lorries coming in to move the produce.  I visit often to discuss new plans. Professsors visit, seasoned farmers visit and students visit my farm. I have grown a network of organic retail network to deliver goods at home.   Cowdung and vermicompost are cured inside the farm.  There is grass cutter which cuts feed for cows. We have regular customer meet at the farm.

In reality however, my farm greenery is now confined to only few meters around the water source - the only source which is the wind pump.  Wind pump is also not working continuously all the time, therefore we borrow water.  Currently we have reached a zero sum Game in water production and consumption.   I cannot increase one more crop now. Rest of the farm is looking barren, empty and in-fertile.  I cannot increase the soil fertility without investing heavily. It also requires a purpose, which is cropping. Planting further would require more water which is just not available with one bore and one windmill. There is no,  rain no rain at all in this region and only sunshine.  Employees have not multiplied. Existing ones are sticking with a distant hope of prosperity.

What is the plan next ?
I need to produce more water now.  Need one more boring.  Need to bring new source of energy to pump water.  Wind mill experiment is over. One more windpump may do the job. But I want to try differently.  This time a hand built solar concentrator - steam generator - dynamo.  I want to be the model farm for non-conventional energy sources put to use with low cost setups.  That will engage the workers further.

Will this fetch profit ?
No.

Will it fetch business ?
Yes.  It will.  It will attract more and more visitors to witness how farming can be done in a dry desert. How non-conventional captive power can be generated. How we can have ENERGY FREEDOM.

Will it be possible to do ?
Yes. Definitely. The same manpower would construct it.  Paramu and Subbu are enough. they have gained enough experience. They can fabricate structures, move them, think of erection, execute mini projects and so on..  I am preparing many education videos for them. Mostly they will be youtube clips downloaded and packed in VCD for them to see. They donot have computer nor internet. Even if they have, they cannot search right clips to view.

So what is your farming future ?
Perhaps I may get into this business of consulting for energy or farming or something else. Just to hang on and further untill I develop agriculture to give enough returns for my livelihood. Presently I have a job and doing it, but far away from farm.  I am still here only for sake of children and future savings.   I may have to quit this job if something else picks up or I get sufficient income to support family.

Are you missing your farm from far this away ?
No. My remote farm management is a success. I have no issues at all. My farm supervisor is very sincere and truthful.  I also participate much in the farm growth.  I has definitely taken shape according to my will and vision.  

But I do miss the actual experience - of working in the farm,  being in commune with nature, watching birds, applying my thoughts immediately, save money, produce more and sell everything.

So net net will you recommend agriculture for others ?
Yes definitely. Where there is enough water.

Will organic farm produce enough food ?
Definitely.  Plenty and variety.

Why don't you quit now and take a plunge ?
I wish.   But my wife has a different opinion. She wants me to work for some more years as children are small. But of late she has realised that nature is the way to go. She is getting fed-up sooner as Global warming with modern life.

What if you change your mind and indulge into urban comforts for-ever ?
Impossible.  My company will anytime throw me away.  I am also investing in a house in a village to live later.  My children also like animals and nature more than current life style. Therefore in all likelihood if my land is not grabbed by Government or Gundas I will be in a village within 5 years. Lock stock and barrel.

Concentrated Solar Power - Lesson 2

As planned, I wanted to prepare the dish, this time with more mirrors.  Therefore removed the reflecting paper and affixed tiny mirrors, which I got cut from a nearby glass hardware shop. Purchased 2 x 3 feet mirror glass of 4 mm thickness and cut into small pieces numbering around 155.  Totally it cost Rs. 720/-.  Besides, purchased Silicon Gel for fixing the mirrors. Initially it was so hard to press the tube.  Later i learned we need a gun to do that. With couple of visits to hardware stores learned the secret. Purchased a gun for 150/-.

Well with these constructed the reflector. Alas there is no sun shine in Pune. Therefore confined my video to prepration and posted in youtube.....

How to make parabolic reflector using mirrors ?  Explained - Part 1

Ready and waiting for SunShine

Meanwhile there had been a visitor to the farm today.  He called and I made him coordinate with Subbu.  Later he sent an SMS message saying he was happy to see the farm.

Otherwise Windmill is working fine for the past few days. The slipping problem seems to have got arrested.  These days I am more and more enquiries about windmill. I am taking their email address and writing back to them with details. Also introducing them to ABS in case they wish to have a quote etc.  Lot of people have come to the farm and seen the windpump.  However none has materialised into another order so far... Perhaps more people are simply evaluating which is better, solar, windpump or current.  In the process they are not only loosing time, but also money.

Thank God I decided one and am happy with it now.

Concentrated Solar Power - Started - Lesson 1

On the left is food wrap and right is a
paper food cover (Chappati) which is laminated.

So as mentioned already, I have successfully started backyard experiments on using Concentrated Solar Power.  At present my activities are confined to my balcony (5 feet by 5 feet space available with limited subshine where i live).  Neverthless this is good enough for my experiments.

food wrapper pasted on dish antenna - ready

1) Last week I made a paraboloid reflector using old Dish Antenna purchased from the cable TV technician.  On that I tried different materials like

a) Food wrap aluminium foil.   Struggled with this stuff for long time and gave up. It is wrinkling very much with every treatment. Tried to use iron box to remove wrinkles, lo !! you are gifted with more wrinkles.

b) Luckily when looking for shiny adhesive tape with smooth reflective surface in stationery store, I chanced upon the food cover. This is used to pack chappattis. It cost Rs. 3/- per bag. I brought 20 Nos.

After making the reflector, I had burned some cotton and paper boards, shot the video and posted in youtube.  the link is found here.  Before that I wanted to educate myself and others on how to draw a parabola shape using simple things.  This shape is required for future construction of large reflectors to concentrate energy.

1) How to draw a Parabola using string.
2) How to make a Solar Reflector using household things.

*******

Subbu Playing "Good Ball "

For the past many days there had been intermittent problem with Wind mill.  The head used to turn in whichever direction the wind blows.  That is very normal. But while doing so, it happens to turn the connecting rods also and unscrew the link going upto the bore hole.  Eventually the wind mill will get

disconnected from pump and will start rotating at high speed happily.

Subbu and Paramu wracked their brains to find a solution.  I suspected some design flaw and informed the ABS company.  Chaitanya in ABS was kind to register my complaint and started talking to POLDAW engineers already.

We all wanted closeup photographs to understand the problem.

Meanwhile Subbu wanted to fabricate a ball and socket type of joint in a nearby welding shop in Parappadi.  This is high wind season. Every hour delay will be loss of water.

It was also physical exasperation to attend to this kind of work. You need to arrange for labor to hold and stop the windmill and lift the train of pipes from boring hole.

When the D-Day came and the new local solution was to be fixed, Subbu and Paramu discovered that they had infact tightned the neck very tightly.  He recalls  earlier during a routine maintenance and greasing activity, these boys thought that the neck is loose and had tightened it.  Actually the mechanism should have been  normal earlier.  Now they loosened it and inserted a nut in between to act as a washer. Thus problem was solved (when there was no problem in the first place).  It is a big learning.

Now yesterday there was another problem.  Kandan said there was no water coming, though windmill is working.   Subbu was quick to do RCA.     "Sir, the good ball was not working.  Windmill has kicked off the good ball" said subbu.  He meant "Foot Valve" which is at the bottom of the boring at the water sucking point.  Entire pipe assembly was removed and refitted within hours.

Root cause could be that earlier when rod assembly turned, it would have loosened the foot valve also. Now it has been tightened.

All are working well.  High wind and More water flowing.  Happy days are ahead.

I need my brinjal plants to be transplanted to the field.

*****

Farm Update 08-Jul-2015 in Pictures

Farm Photos:

Some snaps were received.  Subbu had handed over the camera memory card to a browsing centre for upload. The girl at a browsing centre had uploaded photos without reducing the size. Each snap with 5 MB in size, only 5 per mail could fit in.  With great difficulty she managed to send 3 mails and dropped two more. There is no response for any followup.

I wanted to take a brief look at the current status. whatever has come is given below.

The scrotching Heat is clearly visible.  These are few fruit trees that are being taken careoff. rest of the places, there is no water. The water pipe in the middle leads to the mud pond to draw water.

The jasmine plants. They are flowering.  Subbu said daily we are
getting around 200 grams. That is being consumed by workers.  We need atleast
a KG to take it to market.  That should earn Rs. 100/- to 200/- minimum a day.
So our next plan is to expand this plot with 50 more jasmine plants. Subject to water availability.
Note the casurina plants in the background has got scrotched in heat. They can never be retrived. This piece of land is not so fertail.

Closeup of healthy Jasmine plant

Bananas, really need water and nutrition.   

Not bad at all. These organic bananas are looking healthy.  They are waiting to
go to Chirumalunji market. This will fetch Rs. 300 per bunch. Fair price.

This is where most of the action is going to be.
Seen here are Red Banana tree babies sprouting.
In between them the soil has been loosened using hoe and tracktor
Here the brinjal, tomato and Lady's finger saplings that are now growing in
the green shade will be laid after creating raised mud patches.
This is to save overall water. Water will be shared by banana and vegetables.

Farm update 30th June, 2015

1.     Subbu mentioned that the 25 odd Jasmine plants are giving daily around 250 grams of flowers.  But there is no means to take them to market. Presently it is consumed by workers.  Therefore we have decided to now go for 50 more plants so that we can get atleast 1 KG of jasmine daily. That will fetch Rs. 100/- daily income.  Hope so.....   As next step we need to dig large pits using JCB for planting new saplings (which has to be procured ofcourse from a nursary)

2.  Strange and surprise, there are no fishes in the large fish tank.  Finally only 5 KG of fish was harvested which was shared between the families of workers (Subbu, Paramu and two women workers).  what happened to all the fishes is a mystry.  Have they eaten one another.  Subbu says it should have escaped long back when there was rains and we had an outlet that was not closed overnight.  We could not see and count them thereafter as the water is too muddy.

We need to expand the water tank using JCB next week. Now that rainwater harvesting is a success and excess rains are there during rains, we need to now store them properly.  Therefore expanding the pond is the only option.  Will cost some money (Rs. 700/- per hour and Rs. 400/- per day (Driver Bata).)

3. Fertility of soil using cowdung manure is pending. So far only one vehicle load has been purchased. I asked him to go for few more loads. That will be done shortly.  The soil requires manure. Especially where we have harvested banana, the new banana baby plant may require nutrient.

4. The few banana bunches auctioned in Sirumalinji market has fetched Rs. 300, 270 or 250 depending on size.  Not bad. Not bad at all.  This gives encouragement to go for more banana crops in future. But they are water intensive.

5. Currently we have reached zero-sum-game on windmill water.   Daily 3 tanks are getting filled (3000 ltrs) and is getting consumed by existing crop.  No new experiments.

6. The new brinjal, tomato and lady's finger saplings are transplanted between the Red Banana trees.  They need to be watered regularly. Next posting may have photographs of the same.

*****

Concentrated Solar Power (CSP), our next destination

These days I am in touch with Facebook and WhatsUP.  I meet many so called farmers who post good things of life. But none of them are practical in their advise when it comes to actual farming.  Most of them are having some other source of income and indulge in all extra activities other than farming. So there is nothing to learn from anyone as of now.

I have dedicated myself to next project - SOLAR THERMAL POWER  (or CSP as it is called Concentrated Solar Power).  I have started few posts in Facebook two weeks back and did not update the same. My next experiments are as follows;

a) Purchase a TV dish and create a solar basket to make a focal point.

b) Create parabolic reflector using sheet and create line of focus. Further experiments to heat tube filled with liquid.

c) A design prototype of how a large parabolic solar concentrator in cylinderical shape to be made to be sent across.

Subbu and Paramu are waiting for my education video which I promised on this subject. I need to educate them on how the whole thing would work.  The idea is that next irrigation should happen through CSP energy. Currently we have reached a zero-sum-game using one windpump. This gives 3000 liters of water and is just enough for current vegetation. I am unable to expand the farm.  We have done all things possible now like replacing 1.25" dia pipe with 1.75",  smoothening the windpump through design improvements, grease,  conservation of water through drip irrigation etc.  But there is definitely a quantity of water required for banana crops which cannot be drawn with current setup.

Then using some of the facebook friends to sponsor, should start fabricating the same.

Have already spoken to Rajkot factory for say 2 HP Steam engine.  That is ready.

I see great potential in this project which is clean, green and no mess.

****

Meanwhile at the farm........

I have been out of action for the past few weeks.  I was shifting my house from X to Y within the Pune City.  Earlier just 3 months back I shifted. But the current house was not good in multiple ways. Therefore one more shift was inevitable. But with experience, this house shift  was smooth. However the normal routine went out of gear.  There is no internet connection as of now at home and it will take a few more days.

Meanwhile at the farm........

Banana at Chirumalanji market for auction

The Bananas are coming for fruitition in small quantities.   Few trees at a time.  We had earlier sold the banana on the farm for Rs. 175 a bunch for a temple festival.  That was 19 numbers.  After that Subbu had sold 10 bunches in a market near the Farm called Chirumalinji market.   This is very much approachable. But this market is control by buyers from Kerala and donot fetch good prices. However luckily we got 300/- per bunch during auction.  That is good news.

Yesterday and Today Kandan and Subbu were busy collecting some more banana bunches to be sent to Chirumalanji market.  It will be given to agents for auction. They will give bill.

Last 2 weeks also saw many visitors to the farm. (separate story on that).  They are attracted to see the windmill in action. The windmill is running fine as of now.  We are getting 3 tanks of water minimum (3000 liters).

The Water scarcity and windpump happy rotating without load

It is becoming increasingly clear that Water is damn essential input for agriculture.  Whatever said and done....  At the end, it is water that decides everything.   It is indeed becoming a challenge to face in this dry land..........

a) Hot air,
b) Bright Sun
c) No Rain
d) Less Water

This is limiting our cultivation and crop diversification every day.   Whenever I call Subbu with 10 Ideas, I drop down atleast 8 of them by the time we finish our conversation.   We only speak about water  and hang up.

Recently there was no wind for many days. When the wind started (This is the monsoon season), it is flying at erratic directions.  The wind pump started working very fast in the beginning, but suddenly due to rotational movement (sideways in a swival)  of the Rotor assembly,  the  connected assembly rods tends to dislocate itself.  This is not supposed to happen.  The team had applied grease to remove rust etc at the neck.  But 2nd time,  3rd time it has repeated.

Everytime it dislodges, it is a laborious work. To stop the windpump,  lift the assembly and connect it...

The issue is when load is not there, the windpump fan starts rotating very fast. Not even 4 people can catch it and stop.  It has huge power.  We have to wait patiently for the natural wind to die-down.

Subbu was at the farm during middle of night to catch a moment when he can stop the Windpump Propellers to set it right.  That was not to happen. Today morning they tamed the rotor and set the rods properly.  Let us hope and see....

Meanwhile I reported the problem to the ABS company, our friendly engineer Chaitanya.  He has asked for few snaps and said he will study the issue.  At first it looks like the rods are unscrewing itself due to some vibration. .....

Only when there is constant pumping of water that we can expect to expand the crop area.  Presently there is only Banana.  The vegetables are waiting in nursary.

Farm Update 07-June-2015 - Time to build market

Things are just not moving.

This is a dull period with no activity.  Team over there is busy, but no useful work is happening.

a)  There is complete dryness in the climate.  Here and there there are symptoms of rain. But nowhere rain is to be seen, eventhough this is time for Monsoon. Therefore water stock has reached scary levels.  Subbu has borrowed water from neighbourhood well.  He brought new collapsable rubber hose pipe 2 bundles for Rs. 1500/- each.

b) There is no wind either.  In Subbu's words " Zero Watt wind "

c) We screwed up the windpump by replacing 1.25" pipe with 1.75" pipe with greediness to get more water.  But since the time it was replaced, one day of operation showed we are getting less water.  Perhaps it was suspected that Subbu had attached a filter at the end of pump, which might be the cause. Again the entire pipe assembly had to be removed out and the filter removed.

I told him to test in a tub before inserting in to the borewell. They did and found no difference between having filter and not having it.  Anyway took chance and inserted the entire assembly into the borewell without filter.  But since there is no wind for the past 3 days, its working cannot be confirmed.

d) Today there is a workshop in nearby town. I had asked subbu to visit that place.  It is supposed to happen in a Natural Farm called "Nallamuthu Natural Farm and Research Centre, Chidambaram Nagar, Tirunelveli".   It is supposed to be vegetable growing.  I told subbu to participate and increase the network. He is in there today.

e)  Some more bananas have come.  A market survey by Subbu shows that the selling rate is very less in Tirunelveli market.  They donot differentiate between organically grown and otherwise.  We have to compete with inorganic banana.  Hmmm....   The time has come to build some marketing network now.

I need to develop my website and invite customers.

Farm Update 31-May-2015

a) Last week was without any event.  There is heavy sunshine at the farm even today. This is the hottest part of the yea known locally as Agni Nakshatram ("fiery star") or as Kathiri Veyyil, with maximum temperatures around 38–42 °C (100–108 °F). Though there was a prediction that there will be monsoon rain, it is getting delayed by about 10 days.

b) Subbu had to pump water from neighbouring well as usual. There is zero wind for 3 days and hence no production of water from windpump.

c) We wanted to change the 1.25" pipe to 1.75" inch pipe in the boring.  This is to get more water and prevent friction between the central rod and pipe for windmill to operate smoothly and without noise.  That was finally done.  Ordered for TATA pipes @ around Rs.600 per 10 feet. Total length 100 feet. Also purchased a large drum for panjagavya and some accessories.  Alas after replacing the pipe there was no wind to test its working for atlest 3 days. I donot know if today there was wind.

d) The windpump pipes were replaced by own team. The new pully was put to good use. I was told it made the job easy of lifting the pipe assembly which should have weighed 130 KG.  only two ladies could life the assembly while the men replaced the pipes.

e) The nursary has been started with seeds of Brinjal, tomato and one more I donot remember.   A modest 50 polythene bags that was purchased 2 months back had been prepared with mud, cowdung. I heared the seeds have germinated too in about a week.

f) The only target now is to enrich the soil. We have to catchup on what we lost.  The soil is not fertile and we have not cared for;

1) Ordered two tracktor loads of cowdung. That came in about 10 days from neighbourhood. Cost Rs. 2000/-.  This cowdung will be used to prepare panjagavya, gana jeevamrudam, apply on soil directly and the compost pit topping.

2) Considering the demand, I asked subbu to go for more cowdung. I need to confirm tomorrow.

3) "Sanappu" or garlic was planted between the newly laid red banana roots. they have germinated. It will be manually mashed to soil to add enrichment to soil.  We need to repeat this steps.  Though opportunity for spreading multi grains exist, subbu is still not in for that idea.  Sanappu is ok for now.

g) The week ahead should see activity planning for trying one more crop. I want to put groundnut. For want of water, we kept it aside. If monsoon comes, we will go for it. Otherwise we have to run the show.

h) Subbu wanted to harvest the fishs. Enough he said. We need to maintain that tank properly. It is silting with mud.  Now they have to workout how to catch the fishes. Perhaps some fishes will be saved in another tank for future.

My Farm visit experience - May, 2015 - Part 3

Banana Under growth.

The biggest issue now is how to make the soil uniformly fertile?  There could be quick answers like remove the top soil, add red soil, add fertilizer, grow green manure and so on.... All of these cost tons of money. With natural farming techniques and available resources doing this is a challenge.

These trees are healthy and near the tower......

Especially when your team has still not quite understood the workings of panjagavya, jeevamrudam or any natural techniques or when the ground facilities donot permit that.

For example when there is no water the staff keep thinking only about it. They dread growing anything like green manure.  When water is occupying your head.......

Panaroma of same Banana Patch all planted 5 months back.
Note the unhealthy growth on the left slowly graduating to healthy one on the right

The above picture shows banana trees planted at the same time.  Some areas have dwarf growth whereas in others there is full growth.  Non availability of biomass in soil could be a reason. But I feel not watering them properly could also be a reason, which Subbu doesnot agree with me.

I have a reason to think so.  Look at the dwarf trees. They are looking healthy. Perhaps because water conditions have improved. Perhaps because of few days of rain that preceded. That means if we had watered it must have grown.  You never know......

Well to improve the soil I advocated atleast twice in the past of sowing multi grain mixture.  It was promptly done and got dried without sprouting in few days. Such is the intensity of heat and dryness. Subbu fears if we plan anything, we need to water them. That (water resource) is scarce. How do you then add fertility to soil.

One idea is to wait till rains and sow the seeds. But the moisture will dry in few days. After that ?

Recently It has been decided we will apply manure prepared else where.  It requires more cowdung.  I have ordered for two tracktor loads of cow dung which is expected in few days. We will prepare liquid panjagavya and solid gana jeevarmidam and apply. Perhaps that will improve.

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.