ORGANIC FARMING

 Terrace Organic Gardening

      Let’s talk about organic farming. This is an agricultural system that utilizes green manure, compost, biological pest control and crop rotation to produce crops, livestock and poultry. It’s a system that cultivates resources to conserve biodiversity and support ecological balance. Some of the primary aspects of organic farming are to augment the soil’s biological activity, enhance the fertility of the soil, and use green manure, cover crops, animal manure, and soil rotation to disturb the habitation of pests and diseases. Synthetic chemical fertilizers, antibiotics, herbicides or pesticides aren’t used in organic farming. The goal within organic farming is to manage agricultural production in the best natural way.

About Terrace Farming:

Terrace gardening is still an emerging concept in Tier 2 cities and rural areas where vegetables are easily available. Though the horticulture department has been running awareness campaigns about it, people aren’t taking to it in large numbers. Farmers are hesitant to incorporate organic methods of agriculture as they cling to the old ways and have limited knowledge about it.

Shambhavi Organics Terrace Garden:

However, Raghavendra Konnur, 45, an electronics engineer and entrepreneur, here has emerged as a resource person to sensitise urban residents about terrace gardening with focus on organic farming on terraces and in verandahs of even small residences. He speaks about soil-less gardening. Due to his efforts over a decade, his house generates 80% of the vegetables they need.

He realised the potential of soil-less farming in 2013 and replaced soil with coco peat mixed with mixed style of cultivation like natural farming.

All 10 family members, including his mother Sujata, wife Parimala, brothers Prashant and Pramod and their families, are involved in terrace farming. The family grows cauliflower, Chinese cabbage and watermelons. They buy only onions and potatoes which grow underground and have little chance of coming in contact with pesticide.

As for water supply to the terrace garden, Raghavendra said he has programmed drip irrigation which automatically starts at a scheduled time. "We also apply Jeevamruta and green waste for vegetables. Our 3,200 sqft garden is divided into 25% decorative and 75% vegetable," he said.

Awards:

Konnur has won awards from the horticulture department and University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad. He's a resource person for various workshops in different cities during weekends.