Tag > sustainable agriculture

'Wild Farming' is a work-in-progress to mimic nature.  On a vegetable plot, we will plant maybe 40% non-market plants, some with insect repellent properties, some that are just aromatic to confuse insects, etc., and 60% a mix of, or a variety of, market vegetables and plants.  In our pilot plot here, the market vegetables are ridge gourd, brinjal, bird's eye chili, sweet corn and lady's fingers.  We are expecting some sweet corn next week; "GMO free some more"  Chilies should be plentiful next couple of weeks. Lady's fingers have started to produce. The terung has slowed a bit but we...

Land is getting scarce and sometimes we have to work on very steep slopes.   Accessibility and erosion then become major concerns. Using used tires to make stairways is one way to create permanent, stable access with minimal erosion. The top rim of the tire should be removed (using a full tang, heavy survival knife is best for this job).  ...

Here's some permanent agriculture (permaculture) features at the farm: Alley cropping of napia grasses to reduce pressure on arable land for ruminants.  By cultivating grasses we can...

An organic farm is like an oasis to birds.  At our farm we have counted close to 50 species.  Foreign workers at our farm comment that there's no longer any necessity to keep them in cages as they...

To be sustainable , inputs must be less than outputs.  Inputs include fuel and all forms of energy, labour and raw materials.  Even treatment of wastes must not consume excessive energy.  For...