Notes From a 500 Rupees Farm

It was in the mid of December I got that call from Krishi Bhavan -

“Do you have any complaints on the seeds and saplings provided by us sir?”

I was a little surprised - a call from a Government Department!

It was about a couple of months back as part of a scheme from Dept. of Agriculture, the Krishi Bhavan had provided 25 agro-bags with organically fertilized soil and saplings. They brought it up to the terrace of my home all for Rs.500.

“I am perfectly happy. Why is this enquiry?”

“Sir, we have received numerous complaints on this scheme and we are conducting a meeting in our office with the seed authority officials to discuss these issues. You can join in case you have any concerns.”

“Ok. Sure. I will join if I have any.”

On the terrace, almost all my saplings looked healthy which included Chilly, Tomato, Amaranthus, Brinjal and Ladies finger.

From then onwards for another one month, at least half-an hour a day was spent on the terrace watering and watching those saplings grow up. Soon it became a part of our daily routine. Yes in between there were hard times as well due to pests. Again, it was all handled in an organic manner.

Amaranthus was re-planted to another 60 pots and to another small area at my sister’s home. The manure used for all these was cow dung and compost - all organic. The whole reason for this effort itself was to savor organic vegetables.

Soon followed the flowering – Amaranthus spread its red healthy leaves, Tomatoes started to bud with yellow flowers. Two weeks more – there we were on the terrace – gathering our ripe crops!

If Amaranthus was delicious to say the least, Tomatoes were out-of-world! Tomatoes in particular were sprouting in so many numbers that from those 5 bags, we already harvested around 120 tomatoes. Many times we were helpless to see its branches bend and hit the ground unable to carry the weight of tomatoes – Yes, the Height of my humble farmerism!

So far Amaranthus and Tomatoes are served to at least 15 households (friends and relatives). The joy of giving was special – as it always came back to us with more joy– 

“I am eating your tomato right now.  It is Super! No words to explain – I am giving it to my kid as well” – said Ajith in all happiness.

“I have not seen tomatoes with its stem. I am thrilled and they are delicious” – Aunt

"You know, here in Kochi you will get Amaranthus anytime you ask – But none are as rich as these – you don’t get this quality anywhere. Those at shop use chemical fertilizers which I never take – I want more from you when I come there next time.” - Uncle

“We prepared ‘rasam’ and Wow how tasty it was!” – Relative

The Krishi Bhavan officials visited our terrace farm and provided suggestions and appreciation. Last week a relative of ours visited Krishi Bhavan Office for setting up terrace farming. Referring to the terrace farm here the officer told -

"Take tips from how the terrace farm is done in Venus' house. That is well maintained."  

It was my dream to live as a farmer. Now soaking in all the applause around, I was relishing that humble dream – at least as a pseudo farmer!