This summer is not going to be easy !

On the topic of further on expanding the crop variety, Subbu has the following constraints.

a) "Sir, already the heat has started. This year we received heavy rain and all plants got used to ample of water. Now with the absence of that, past one month they are drooping. Let them settle down and get used scarce water. So I am going to 'train' them"

Satellite picture always shows clear sky these days.

b) Windpump is working absolutely fine. It gives plenty of water. However there is no wind for most of the day. (I referred to old anemometer recordings and found March-April are dull days).  But even though there is no wind,  even on windless days we get minimum one drum (1000 liters), thanks to the new foot valve that we changed few months back.  Windpump is working like well oiled machine. (indeed it is well greased)

Because more plants are there now compared to last year there is a demand for water.  But hope we can manage. Only I cannot expand my dream further of adding more varieties.

c) Presently the water that is pumped by windpump is just sufficient for all existing plants. "We feed water in round-robin fashion. We have the burden of sustaining all existing crops, having protected them with hardwork all these days", says Subbu.  He and Kandan had seen them growing from seeds. They know the pain of loosing crops in drought.

c) Casurina is still drinking water even though it has grown into adult tree and even started fruting.  If there is no water applied, the (Crown of) tree is showing its face down. Once a week is mandatory.

d) "Banana needs water too. There are around 200 trees. Let us not waste our money on purchasing Drip tubes. We just pour water from tank every alternate days through hose"

e) Jasmine to be watered. Though they consume less water. So also other plants like Sapota, lemon, guava and tamarind.  They are fed through drip irrigation.

f) Previously excess water was let into fish tank. Now the water is just sufficient.  With Sun soaring water level is coming down in the pond. This is exposing the fishes. A lot of birds (lot of them) are visiting our farm from all around.  Subbu says he cannot even identify the variety. So many of them.  Luck he.  I am missing the farm.  They are coming here for water and to eat fish.

Just an Illustration (Not to scale.)

I told Subbu to eat the fishes. It may be around 500 to 1000 of them. But he said let it be. want to see how big it grows. He wants me to come and see. But I told, just keep 40 and eat the balance. He wouldn't listen to. He has fallen in love with Fish.  He says it is a joy to see the fish playing. We can see them in clear waters.

g) Rice has come for harvesting. he wants to cut through rotovator (machine). I asked why not manually. He said it is better to cut through machine in one show. We have no manpower and it is cheap. Around Rs. 1000/- per hour is the rent. Don't know what is right thing to do. Anyway this time it was a demo for rice growing. Next time I will intervene.

h) For vegetable plots, Subbu advised let us not put Drip. Drip is useful only when space is more between the plants. In the case of Vegetables like brinjal, he is planning just 10 inches between.  So sprinkler is best.  He surprised me by saying that sprinkler is working even with the pressure of overhead tank. It is spraying few feet radius. That is enough. we can shift and manage it to cover all area.

So Sprinkler using gravitational force as planned. No motor. No electricity.  100% natural forces at work.

If this is not sustainable farming what is ?

Am I really doing Farming ?

Sometimes you start doubting fundamentals. People around you start asking pertinent questions and expect obvious answers.

They ask "What is that you are cultivating?".

Well Yerrr... really nothing, no we are growing onions... in small patch... then some sweet potatoes,... yes we have some fish... No actually we are not focusing on cultivation, we are growing trees, some 40 coconut, may be we need to plant more. actually there is no space ......

One of the issue with Corporate trained morons like us doing agriculture is that we spend more time on infra structure buildup.  We are exited by "projects" on the farm, like digging holes, welding rods or pumping water and blowing money. We cannot connect our investment with output because timelines are large.

You keep pumping resources, you donot get intended results, but you get something else - an eco system gets built around which is self sustaining and reliable. Next time around you stop supply, but it keeps going.. These are not tangible benefits.

It was running in my mind when I called on Subbu, I told him "Let's talk only about cultivation for the next 30 minutes."  He agreed and so we spoke.  It was fruitful.

Am I doing agriculture ?  What is my end result ?

My end result will be to supply continuous variety of vegetables to small vendors who would visit the farm.

Here "continuous" means in succession.  For this we need a proper nursery. Instead of building nursery we are building dining table.

Well Subbu caught what was in my mind and he was quick to pitch in.  After all,  all these years of conversation has worked his mind.

He said he also thought to grow vegetables and started rattling names... Some of which he had already started, but did not convey to me for fear of failure.

a) Chilli plants are growing success after third attempt.  First two were failures. Now it is fine. Subbu advocates growing seeds on a small patch and then transplanting instead of nursery. He doesnot like the nursery concept, because he says it is difficult to grow them in bags and discard them later. (Bugger should have told me long back).  That explains why nursery has not shaped properly inspite of pumping money.  (oh No infra talk now).

He prefers to cover with Palm Leaves for mulching so they protect the seedlings and sprouts from birds

b) Brinjal is also growing well in a patch, waiting for transporting. But now the problem of Water has started. The Farm is getting hotter by the day.  If we re-plant the brinjal with more space, we need more water. (Moreon water later).

c) Jasmine is growing fine. Even the new ones are fine. I can see the satisfaction in Subbu's voice of having accomplished something useful.

d) Ridge Gourd and Snake Guard : Are raised at ground level. I had earlier advocated "pandal". But as per Village practice, they are grown at ground level. It is ok so far the rain doesnot come.

e) Sweet Potato, Some Papaya, Turmeric add to variety.

f) Casurina has grown very tall. They also need water every week.

g) Sapota and Amla shrubs have become more mature into small trees. That is good news.

h). The coconut has escaped attack of the pest. Thanks to a concotion of "Kolinji" and "Thumbai", both common plants whose juice is applied on bore holes of pest in Coconut tree. They are gone.

i) Subbu also named "Kodukkapuli" tree has become big. They are enjoying its fruits... and started laughing.   Employee pride and owner's envy.

Well was satisfied with the agriculture activity that we are attempting...

Farm Update 15-Mar-2016

Finally the table and stool as planned is coming to shape for the farm.  Hopefully it will look beautiful and useful for everyone.  As I am talking Subbu is on his way to purchase the stone slabs (cuddapha stones as they are cost effective) from Parappadi Hardware stores.

The base work of constructing unfinished brick stools and table holders are in place as he mentioned a day before.

I have asked them not to put any foundation to save on bricks. That means we need not 600 but only 300 bricks.  Similarly there is no finishing job. Bricks will be visible as in an old fort. Nature will do its job of growing moss on it.

Stone has to be unpolished granite (Cuddapah) with only the sharp edges trained.

The windmill is working fine.  Even on windless days there is pumping of 1000 liters of water.  That is great news. Hope it works for entire summer.  I guess the 2nd foot valve that we purchased is magical.  From day 1 there is no issues at all.

The onions have come for harvesting. I guess they have removed 1.5 bags of small onions. Some more are left.  It will be kept for seed and balance used.  The onions were removed without peeling anything.  It should be kept like that for few days and cleaned.  For storing Subbu has to purchase large mud pot.  Otherwise if it is stored in any other manner, the rats may eat them.

They are fully organic and must be tasty. I told Subbu not to sell them to market, but to give them to small vendors.  Who will carry on head into interior villages and sell them.   Thereby we can build a relationship slowly.

Once again emphasized the need to grow more variety to engage the vendors.

Subbu's obsession with Fish has not diminished an inch. Talk of fish, he becomes bright and gleeful.  He said one by one all the natural ponds around the farm are drying up and all migratory birds are coming here for food and water. So there are angry birds all over.  Subbu it seems has brought crackers and busting them to "choo" them away.  Oh my my...

Oh No,  For feeding the fish, he brought urea.  I allowed it because Urea+cowdung creates more worms for fish.  But the empty bags are there and evoking undesired questions. Mine is organic farm and I want to maintain that way - No minerals or pesticides.

Now crackers and chemicals!!   I must tell subbu in his language why we should allow the fish to be consumed by his clan and angry birds instead of bombing the farm.    Or the other only way out is ask him to consume all the fish daily and be done with it !

Farm Update 29-Feb-2016

1.   Business as usual.   Just watering activity on the farm.  No new initiative.  The construction of sitting place and repair of green house is pending as Paramu has accepted some civil works and is away.  The farm is waiting for him.

2. Meanwhile the sand required for mixing concrete for the seats are being gathered by the lady staff from adjacent places.   Sand is everywhere around the farm, where top soil is eroded due to rains.  One has to just bring it.  I am happy we are just using the resources from around and not purchasing everytime.

3. I discussed with Subbu on farming activities and future.  My long standing dream is to grow many different varities of palatable vegetables and make it available to small vendors.  The small vendors - mostly ladies who carry vegetables on their head in a basket will go to nook and corner of villages and sell them.  I hope I can equip them with produce early in the morning. By noon they should sell out everything and earn 50 to 100/-.  They must have lunch in my farm.  It must be simple lunch with lentils and Dal (pulses) with rice.  They can go for 2nd sortie if possible in the evening or retire.  I hope we are somewhere 40% in this journey.

4.  Onion will be ready for harvest in a month.

5. The malligai (Jasmine) has started yielding. I believe a vendor is purchasing this every day @ 50/- per day.  That is good news.  Every day the jasmine is plucked and hung near the gate. The vendor will collect them and pay money.  This has been happening for the past 4 days.  Let me see......

6.  The reamaining plot where rain destroyed jasmine will also be planted with more jasmine.  I believe even the ones thought gone-case has sprouted.  That means Jasmine best-fits in my farm

7. I was discussing with Subbu to construct a 2nd water tank for the Windpump.  Presently we are getting more water, which is drained into the mud pond.  what if I store them high above in another water tank so that we irrigate vegetable plots from there. This 2nd one will be around 100 to 150 meters from the wind pump and will be at 15" high.  It must be in the same height of the earlier one so that when interconnected they share water.  Subbu said he wants to construct in the cheapest manner possible.  Something like putting a plastic tank atop a concrete single pillar.  Hmmmm... let us study some models around.

************

seating Arrangement in Farm

Currently I have no place to seat the guests.  There are no chairs, benches or even a reclining place. All I have is a Kutir (Shade) with sand spread on floor. People can squat down.  It is ok but not ok for elders when they visit.

I was always thinking what to do.  Wheather to purchase and send some wrought iron garden benches. But that is a project by itself and I have no time for that.

Casually when I checked FTII college in Pune, I chanced on the below design near their canteen. Brilliant idea.  With bricks and granite slabs one can construct this.  Very permanent, elegant etc...

I took photo of this and send to Subbu and Paramu. They took print out and hopefully today they will start the work.

I would want two sets of them to be made. Each with 6 seaters.

 Paramu calculates it will require 800 bricks, cement, slabs etc.  Brick costs 6/- each and slab (Kadappa Stone) costs 70 sqft.  I asked to do in cheapest manner possible with locking tiles on flooring.

Subbu and Fish Phobia

Subbu is possessed of Fish.

While casually talking he was mentioning he wants to go and sleep in the farm tonight.  And tomorrow and Day after and continuously for next 1 month. !.  I was surprised and asked why ?

He said "Sir, someone will steal the fish in the night. You see the fish has grown to 3 fingers width."

"Who will steal the fish ?"

"Sir there are people who come in the night to take mud from around the farm. Recently due to rains, there is lot of mud that has got accumulated here and there. Those people will steal the fish."

But our farm is compounded.  Put a board "Crocodile here !' or "caution Snakes".  He laughed but ignored this. He said he has the responsibility to protect the fish till we sell them in a month.

I said "Damn it. Let it go.  ".
"But how sir, I cannot let it go "

"Tell me how did they ever know we have fish in the pond ?"

"Sir we have tied silver ribbons to ward off the birds know.  They are glittering in the Sun Shine.  People who are passing by are asking what is happening. Then they come to know "  So thiefs are known guys only.

My God.  How to solve this problem.  ?  Suddenly the idea came to my mind.

"Subbu, eat those fishes and distribute to your friends.  I want no money from Fish.  It is all yours"
"No sir, I want to sell and give that money atleast to you. There is no income for the farm"

"Tonight I am going to call Paramu for company. If he doesnot come I will sleep alone. "  Few days I must show there is movement in the farm in the night to ward off evil people.

I donot think the situation is that bad..  This is only because of intensive love Subbu has towards his Fish. he is so obsessed.

Farm Update in Visuals - 16-Feb-2016

For the first time Subbu has taken clear pictures of the farm. I guess he has taken this through smart phone that I left with him.

Samandhi Flowers bed

Onion is growing on the mud bars

Paddy has come to flowering stage so fast. I hate this hybrid variety. As mentioned already
this is our first paddy attempt. Did not have native country seeds on hand. This
is Ambi-16 rice variety. Hmmm. eager to see the harvest and post harvest cycles.

Something amiss in this patch. I have to consult Subbu. I guess he has put assorted vegetables in this.
If not I want to spray millets here.  I guess he has covered the ground with straw (milching)

Well, the pond is now taking shape. With glittering silver ribbons to wade off the birds, this pond
is now having around 2000 fish. Each has grown to the size of three fingers in width. So told Subbu.
I asked him to eat them all. He said he wants to make some money for me. I donot want
money from animals. 

The sapota trees are growing well after the rains. Could see kandans hand work in cleaning the area and milching

Coconut trees are growing. Some bugs are present, Subbu told.  Want to apply organic pesticide. Neem ofcourse.
I need to follow

I asked him to send the photo of bug. He sent this. I could not see the bug. But there is damage to the coir.

Just adj to the wind tower. Looks different now.  Red banana trees that have escaped draught is seen. Papaya tree is new.
In the background is the vettiver.  Good growth. Need to be transplanted to near the pond.

A view near the fence.  Casurina has grown as adult trees.

So too boganvilla.  I wanted Subbu to try grafting from this. If time permits.

This Lemon tree is always having damaged leaves. But good fruits.  May be insects are fond
of citrus plants.

A rare view from front.  Subbu is artistic.  The approach road to farm from the main road. This road I laid
Far distance is visible Sastha Temple new roof.

Another view from outside the farm looking inside.  Density of vegetation is not there.

Road Side view of farm. The casurina has grown so nicely that it is forming a canopy hiding the farm. That is what I wanted.

If No Activity, All is well - Farm Update 28-Jan-2016

In a typical Corporate World if an employee is resting that means there is no productivity. So the offices keep coffee machines, make people celebrate this and that and fuss about temperature, food and toilet.  They also "engage" them with so many activities that actually disturb work.

But the same is opposite in a farm, in a village.  If a person is taking rest that means all work is accomplished. When a Village is serene, that means there is more wealth. People spend their time in other things.  Cities that are built near the rivers have wealthy agriculture. That is why art and culture flourish there.

In my farm there is no activity now.  Subbu is resting himself because he witnessed the bright arc of welding lamp when he went for repair of his family vehicle.  Kandan - I dont know. I heard he is busy collecting CowDung and mixing with Urea to prepare fish feed.

Vegetable tables are growing. Need to complete 42 days for replanting.  The banana is growing, so also other trees.  Wind Mill is pumping water and fresh water flows into the Pond for the fishes.

There is supreme silence.

I asked Subbu to plan and replace the Green Shade Net.  The present one is torn.  I reminded him that we already have the 1.25 inch pipes which were earlier replaced with 2 inch pipes in windmill. The old pipes which count to 10 Nos can be used as pillars for the nursary.

We need Paramu, the carpenter for this work. He is busy with some assignments outside.

Wait Wait......

Cow ? Yes Desi Cow. No No No Ho ! No. !

Recently my friend offered a Bull for a price (28000). That was on its way to an abattoir. It was a desi cow. I told him i will check with my family and come back.  This would solve all my problems of fertiliser. The farm is also in good shape to rear one cow. Only in night it will be locked and no one will be there.  This was a male and hence will be useful for cowdung and work.

That day evening hell broke loose at home..

*&^%%^%*&(*&^&^^%$^%)_()(&(*&(*&(*

Man, it is not easy to develop a farm. There could be genuine reasons that for what you want to do and where you want to spend. But reason doesnot hold good at home. It will be broken into pieces if ever there is a feeling that you are building assets.

Anyway I have to wait for some more days.... Just as I waited for the farm to develop to this extent.

Sincere Pongal In visual

This is pongal festival conducted in the farm by our staff. I am posting this late now because I got the snaps only now.

Seen in the picture are lady staff and their children.

My Employee Retention Program is... - Fish Farming

The best employee affinity program or loyalty program could be "growing Fish in the farm and allow staff to consume it". (I myself is a vegan though)

Subbu is hell bent on protecting the fish folk.  Let the taste of succulent juicy fish bind his tongue and nostrils...

He, Paramu and Kandan are hell bent to protect them and nurture them.  That is the only reason I encourage growing fish in the farm.  It creates activity, it creates energy.  It keeps the men engaged in useful work.   I can imagine lot of farm activities around the fish tank every day, punctual.

Latest addition being metallic shine silver strips criss crossing the mud pond.  This is latest innovation by Subbu to wade off the angry birds.

So be it........

New Coconut Trees - Late arrived Photos

These snaps were missed in last post and came late in the mail.  The Newly planted Coconut trees can be seen in the below pictures.

Snap taken Before the coconut planting from archives - around August, 2014.
Note the absence of water.  The existing plants seen are sapota. The next frame of approximately same place
is below, but taken from little left side of the spot.

Same place today little to the left.  Water way leading to mud pond is full with water due to recent rains.  This waterway is overflow from field and will be maintained as such.  Subbu has planted coconut all along the sideways. Brilliant choice.
Note the sapota tree growth compared to above snap.

This is as we enter the gate.   On the left are the new coconut trees.
Right is the old ones planted around 6 months back.

This time the coconut was brought with more leaves and in poly bags with some mud. Better choice again.

Farm Update in Visuals Dec, 2015

The below are some visuals of the Farm as it stands today.  This doesnot cover all the corners but captures significant developments that were in progress in earlier stories.

Paramu feeding the fishes

The Paddy being sowed. Happy to see this that my farm also is going to grow rice.  Look at the professional
rice farm outside. I am going to match them now.

The sample patch and the big one are getting mixed

Tilling has been done north of Jasmine patch. This is for onion

Mud Bars have been made (through hand by 3 labor) to ready for Onion sowing.

Assorted common vegerables will go here

Look at the pond water. It is now green.  Earlier it used to be muddy color last year. I had lost hope
now it is clean and green. Thriving with microbes.

This is all the Banana that we have. These are daughter plants that have been left out from last harvest
Note further siblings (Suckers) have already started.  This will maintain continuity

The coconut trees have grown well. The space in between has been tilled to keep it clean.

Fish, Food and Maintenance

"Where are you Subbu"?"

Sir I am at Moolakaraipatti, a small hamlet near our farm. I am in a pig farm purchasing pig dung.

"Oh !. Must form a good manure" - me

"Sir it is for our fishes.  We need to mix pig manure (3 bags) with Japan Urea (Some coarse urea crystals) (2 Bags) along with cow dung and keep it in a bag.  Immerse the bag after 2-3 days in water and keep a heavy stone on it.  Make a small opening in the bag.

The idea is the mixture will rot, create worms. Fishes will be able to eat them.  This one mixture is enough for days to come. Slowly there will be constant supply of the worms from this rotting bag inside water"

Great Idea. expert one too. Go ahead - me.

The pig dung costs Rs. 200 a bag. The urea is costing 310.  Though I hate the word urea, its ok since we are using it for fish feed first time. I need to discover some better things in organic.

"Sir we are also cooking ration rice for the fishes using women folk. They keep three stones and cook in the farm. we feed this rice also to fish."   Oh I am missing the farm.

"I guess fishes must be visible now?".  "Yes. I have seen them. Unlike last time, the water is clear now. We can see fishes.  Wind pump clean water is getting added and is cleaning the pond. Add to that fish waste is also creating the water into green. I will send photos tomorrow" - Subbu.

"Fishes are even fond of Ponnanganni spinach too. They are eating like mad. We enjoy feeding them".  (earlier I had asked him to plant this across all mud eroding sides).

It is strange that even common birds (sparrows) are very fond of this in my home here.  The sparrows never allow them to grow. They eat away.  In general  all small animals including fish are finding something good in this. This spinach must be really a good stuff.

English: Alternanthera sessilis, Dwarf Copperleaf.
Tamil: Ponnanganni
Telugu: Ponnagantikura
Hindi: Garundi, Guroo
Kannada: Honagonne
Malayalam: Ponnankannikkira

How is the frog population. Has it increased ?  - Me

No sir, strangely it has not. only small frogs are still there. I donot know what's wrong with them. Crabs are there.

I wonder myself what could be wrong in the food chain ?

Meanwhile Subbu said this will be the last feed. "Last feed ?"  what will happen to fishes?  He said they will grow in 3 months. This feed bag will contine to supply for some time, fresh worms.

I asked if they will lay eggs and if we can learn the technique of how to preserve them.

He said, "Sir it is a mistake we made. We should not have dug the pond using JCB.  (Earlier we wanted to widen and deepen a more).  We should have left the "karandai mud"  (Floor soil) as is."

"Will the eggs be preserved in hot sun ?."

"Yes sir, it will be inside the mud holes. We should not disturb them. When water comes they will hatch.

Strange are the ways of nature. It must be true. Otherwise how do you explain sudden arrival of so many small animals when apparantly they are absent for miles to gather and months togather.