On June 16, 2023, as the project administrator of the Garden of Hope Trust, I had the opportunity to take the trustees on a farm visit to three different farms. The purpose of the visit was to gain insights into organic farming practices and learn from the experiences of local farmers. Here is a write-up summarizing our visit.
Our first stop was at Jayakumar’s farm in Sholur. Jayakumar is an organic farmer who cultivates a 0.75-acre piece of land. He keeps three country cows and employs organic farming techniques such as jeevamrutham, panchakavya, and drip irrigation. During our interaction, Jayakumar shared his frank opinion about various organizations that have approached him. He expressed his disappointment, feeling that none of these organizations have truly guided the farmers effectively. He drew inspiration from renowned organic farmers such as Sri. S R Sundararaman from Sathyamangalam, Tamil Nadu, Shri Narayana Reddy, a legendary organic farmer and resource person on ecological agriculture, Mr. Dhabolkar, an organic farming expert from Maharashtra, and Vanya Orr, an inspirational figure for organic farmers in the Nilgiris. Jayakumar mentioned that he has been using cynobacteria gokruba amirtha, RK bacteria, and PROM (phosphate-rich organic manure) in his farming practices.
Our next visit took us to Saravanan’s farm in Melur village. Saravanan farms on a one-acre plot of land and has planted a variety of crops and fruit trees, including guava, pomegranate, passion fruit, beans, spinach, pineapple, and many others. One unfortunate aspect Saravanan shared with us was that both of his daughters have been diagnosed with cancer, which he believes is a result of pesticide exposure. In response to this, Saravanan has made a commitment to transition to organic farming. His determination and passion for organic practices left a deep impression on all of us.
Our final destination for the day was Mr. Murugesan’s farm, where we were amazed by the diversity of fruits he grows on just half an acre of land. At 67 years old, Mr. Murugesan cultivates an impressive array of fruits, including pear, curry leaves, papaya, fig, raspberry, yellow berry, mulberry, butter fruit, passion fruit, cinnamon, sappotta, jamun Taiwan variety, banana (eight varieties), persimmon, plum, apple, apricot, peach, pomegranate, orange, guava, cherry, mango, amla, jackfruit, and lemon. His dedication and knowledge in managing such a diverse fruit farm were truly inspiring.
Throughout the farm visits, we were able to witness the passion and commitment of these farmers towards organic farming practices. Their stories and experiences reinforced the importance of sustainable and chemical-free cultivation methods for both environmental and human well-being. We are grateful to Jayakumar, Saravanan, and Mr. Murugesan for sharing their valuable insights and inspiring us to continue our efforts in promoting organic farming in the Nilgiris region. Overall, the farm visit provided us with valuable first-hand experiences and deepened our understanding of the challenges and rewards associated with organic agriculture. It reinforced our belief in the need to support and guide farmers effectively to ensure the successful adoption of organic farming practices in the region.
On June 19, 2023, the trustees of the Garden of Hope Trust visited Thudai Organic Farm located in Masakkal owned by Chandrashekar, which is renowned for being the first certified organic farm in the district, certified by the Tamil Nadu Organic Certification Department.
Although Chandrashekar was unavailable to meet with the trustees, they toured his 2.5-acre farm and saw firsthand how he inspires beginners to adopt organic farming practices through his on-site farm school. The farm grows a variety of vegetables, including potatoes, carrots, beetroot, kale, parsley, Swiss chard, rosemary, thyme, red lettuce, green lettuce, and romaine, as well as a variety of fruits, including guava, papaya, fig, peach, and custard apple.
The trustees were impressed by Chandrashekar’s dedication and commitment to organic farming, which he has been practicing for several years. His farm is a testament to the fact that organic farming can be both sustainable and profitable. By sharing his knowledge and expertise with beginners through his on-site farm school, Chandrashekar is contributing to the growth of organic farming practices in the region.
Thudai Organic Farm is a shining example of the potential of organic farming to transform the agricultural landscape of the Nilgiris district. The trustees left the farm with a renewed sense of purpose and a deeper understanding of the importance of supporting and guiding farmers effectively to ensure the successful adoption of organic farming practices in the region.
