In a village in the outskirts of Pondicherry, school teacher, Mr. Poongundran, spends his spare time on the field cultivating fruits and vegetables the organic way. Read below a tete-a-tete on his passion.
1. How did you get into organic farming? What was your journey from being a teacher to also having knowledge on agriculture?
Farming and agriculture had been practiced by my forefathers and therefore basic knowledge and interest always existed. When the thane floods hit and the entire region was affected, it caused around 30 coconut trees to fall and in its place, I decided to plant other trees. Taking care of nature has always been a passion of mine. Agriculture can be done through traditional methods by getting to know the needs of the soil and of the plants.
2. Why do you think traditional or organic methods are betterforfarming?
When we use traditional methods, the farmland becomes self-sufficient and more eco-friendly. Agricultural waste and cattle waste can be used to make fertilisers which are mixed with water and
fed to the plants through the roots. In doing so, the plant absorbs more nutrients the remaining is retained in the soil. Chemical fertilisers sprayed on plants may evaporate due to the sun and not be absorbed. Organic fertiliser also ensures that the land fertility increases over years to an extent where additional supplements may not be required. Traditional methods also reduce the consumption of water, electricity and use up space in a more effective manner. There are also health benefits to growing plants organically.
3. What kind of irrigation do you use and why do you think it is most effective for your piece of land?
I use flood irrigation but through PVC pipes in to which I mix water along with manure and panchakavyam. This is mixed well and is pushed through PVC pipes and ensure a 100% coverage of the entire area and is most effective for the improvement of soil fertility. Drip irrigation is the most effective method considering it uses up the least amount of water and does not require a motor or excess electricity.
4. How much time is set apart each day for agricultural work? How does one manage a profession and this at the same time?
I spend around one and half hours, every morning on the field – milking cows, mixing manure, inspecting the plants and so on. After school in the evenings, I go on to the field for another hour. It is a very flexible schedule and depends on the time of the year and other factors. Weekends are spent mostly on the field. For anyone who has an interest in farming or growing a few plants, it does not require more than 2 hours a day.
5. How much do you take back from the field to the classroom? Is the school taking measures to be more environmentally friendly?
All the schools that I have worked with are conscious about the environment. Schools with a kitchen, for example, grow their own fruits and vegetables. Gardening is mandatory in all the schools. I worked at a school for 10 years and over the years, through collective efforts we have planted more than 150 trees and made the school a landmark. We ready 500.1000 saplings a year and distribute either in the community or to the students themselves and I educate student on organic farming during free periods. We recycle paper and use the money from the same to buy ink bottles for the students. The school has a rainwater harvesting system in the terrace that collects water and drains it out in to a 5ft/10ft pit within the school grounds.
6. What is the reason behind splitting your land in to 2 parts?
Splitting the land into 2 or more parts will help conserve water. It is enough to irrigate one side of the land at a time. Watering the entire land every day is not beneficial and also uses up a lot of water. Instead, splitting the land in to 2 or more parts and watering alternate parts everyday proves to be more beneficial and eco-friendlier.
7. How do you deal with the problem of pests in organic farming?
Pesticides are meant to kill but they also kill worms in the soil and micro-organisms that are useful. Pesticides used by farmers cause build up in the lungs and stomach. Resistance build up means there is an increased requirement for pesticides as time goes on. Instead, I take leaves dipped in komiyam (native desi cow urine) to create a strong smell that insects and pests dislike. This keeps them away without having to use chemicals and without having to kill the existing ecosystem.
8. Why are organic products more expensive? Does it also cost more for you to maintain an organic farm?
In my field, everything gets reused. Manure and fertiliser are made using wastes, pest control is done through homemade methods, irrigation methods are effective and do not use much electricity and it does not require large spaces of land. While a commercial farmer might be able to harvest more sacks of grain at the end, his overhead will be more and so the profits remain more or less the same. Organic farming also significantly improves the quality of the land and soil and would therefore not require as many supplements a few years down the line whereas commercial farmers have to keep increasing the amount of fertiliser and pesticide used. Commercial farming yields faster results and more in terms of quantity but all things taken in to account, organic farming is not more expensive.
9. How do you think people in cities can use available land for the growth of plants?
Kitchen gardens are becoming very famous. I have one in my terrace where we grow vegetables like ladies finger, greens like spinach and palak, tomatoes, brinjal, chillies etc., Rotate the vegetables as per the season and by doing so, the different nutrients in the soil also get balanced out.
Interviewee Mr.Poongundran – Interviewed by Ms. Tejaswini
