| Details of Innovation |
Construction of Farm pond:
He has dug 120 x 40 x 6 feet size farm pond in the sloppy area of his land. The water stagnated in this pond is used to give life irrigation for tree saplings. The border area of the pond has been planted with Vettiver grass(Vettivera zeyzanoides) to prevent soil erosion. The latterite soil excavated from well is used to build bund across the slope.
Dry land Agroforestry
He planted Casurina, Peenari (Ailanthus excelsa) , neem and tamarind in his field. For hedging live hedge crops like, palm, bamboo and thorn less Agave has been planted. He multiplied such Agave species successfully and planted them in his farm. This agave will be good source of filbre.
Organic Coconut cultivation
In his 3.1/2 acre coconut plantation, he follows mulching with tree waste and coconut husk etc., According to him, "this mulch will be composed within 6 months and supply good organic manure to the coconut trees planted and conserve the already existing soil moisture make available to the trees". He has also stopped ploughing operation in between the trees for the last 6 years also.
Organic Orchard Farming
In an acre mango orchard he is cultivating 6 varieties of mango. He applies organic compost and green leafy materials as organic manure. During flowering period instead of applying chemical pesticides and pesticides he sprays organic insect repellent prepared out of Notchi (Vitex nugundo), Akilai , Peenari (Ailanthus excelsa), Sotrukatralai (Aloe vera), neem leaves (Azadiracta indica), Aaduthinnapalai (Aristolachia bracteolata). The 500 gram quantity of each items should be immerged in water and extract should prepared. To this 1 part add 10 times water and used as a spray fluid. Trees bear good quality and tasty fruits.
Conservation of traditional crop varieties in dry land
In his black cotton soil he cultivates traditional wheat variety of that region. It can be used to prepare food items like porridge to meet the family needs. It is also intercropped with redgram, green gram and cowpea
Animal care by raising forage crops
To meet out his own expenditure and to feed animals he usually raises traditional sorghum varieties. Beside this, subabul (Leucana leucochephala) is planted as a forage crop tree to feed his dairy cows. Naripayaru and Kollu (Horse gram) (Dolichos biflorus) planted in an acre to meet the feed requirement, for cows and bullocks. |
Honey Bee Network Knowledge & Innovation Database (HBNKIND)