After Superannuation, what ?
I had no plans at all after my retirement in Dec 2010. I only thought of taking rest and seeing places of interest. A few months prior to retirement, I imagined of my retired life. What will I do daily after getting up? How many days I can take rest and travel? I became jittery. I was sure I will become a pain to every one at home and to myself. I decided to have another daily routine. That is how the idea of farming got seeded in my mind and started scouting for a small land nearby. Parallelly I made a back up plan of becoming an insurance agent by which I can be in touch with people around an and make pocket money. Another back up plan was doing some freelancing work for streamlining of Operation processes and also teaching basic excel!
When I started farming, my internet browsing and bookmarking increased. Later I wanted to keep them in a place for easy reference. That is how started my blog through blogger and started learning it by trial and error method.
In this blog, I tried to make a diary when I started farming. Initial days, I used to do the blogging very enthusiastically. Later on it became very slow and almost stopped.
Very recently (in Sep 2014) I tried to organize it again. One page is on my farming experience. Rest of the pages are articles or videos from websites which are bookmarked by me.
My Land near Shankarpally (Yellakonda Village, Nawabpet Mandal, RR Dist., Telangana)
Monday, February 14, 2011 6:44 PM
Farming always fascinated me. It gives lot of happiness. Re sults of ones efforts are seen fast and hence it motivates for higher levels of achievement. Farming gives lot of mental peace.
Bought a small piece of land near Hyderabad so that I could start making vegetables for my own use, without using chemical fertilizers and pesticides. While most of my friends did not endorse this thought due to the current state of affairs in AP, my family gave full support. I have been browsing extensively after this and got motivated by the work done by D V Sridharan in Point Return (http://goodnewsindia.com/pointreturn/online/what-is-pointreturn/).
A few other good sites interested me are -
1. http://www.agricultureinformation.com/mag (Almost all information including buying and selling and consultancy available here).
2. www.kissankerala.net - A Kerala State initiative for providing integrated agricultural information
3. www.ofai.org - The Organic Farming Association of India (OFAI) is the country's only organization of grassroots organic farmer.
4. http://agri.and.nic.in/organic_farming.htm -
Registered my land, fenced it and dug a bore well (water yield low) and electric connection obtained. Plan to do rain-harvesting and charging of bore well by trench and pond to improve yield. Need to make trench (canal) across the land leading to a pond near bore well. Soil dug out from these tranches to be used for making a road.
I got one passbook for the land. Another passbook, which needs to be signed by Collector is yet to be obtained. Understand no work is happening in government offices now. Need to wait and see.
Looking for an easy way of commuting between Begumpet and farm. Nearest railway station to tmy farm is Ravulapalli Kalan. From there it is about 3 km. Need to find ways to commute by train and then by 2-wheeler (bi-cycle or scooter).
Yesterday (13th Feb 2011) I went by train to Ravulapalli Kalan by Vikarabad passenger train. Ticket costed Rs.7 and travel time was approx 1 hour. Got down and walked the 3 KM distance to my land. Approach road was with gravel and shared autos were plying, in addition to occasional trucks, motor bikes and cars. Return train was around 1130 and 1700 hrs in the evening. On my way back I missed the 1130 train and I took a shared auto to Shankarpally from Ravulapally (Rs.6). From Shankarpally to Patancheru another shared auto (Rs.10) and from there by bus to Paradise (Rs.18).
Once I get a parking place, it would be very convenient to commute between home and my land. I am sure I can find a place soon.
My bore well also gave good water which tastes good. However, it stopped after 10 minutes. Need to extend the pipe beyond 200'. Bore is 400' deep.
Before I start my pit work for fruit plantation, I need to plan trenches and a pond to charge my bore well and land. Currently reading article on 'swales' at PointReturn (http://goodnewsindia.com/pointreturn).
Started designing my farm layout using Google sketchup. Gradually learning to use this tool and I am getting a grip on it. Rough sketch is ready. Need to discuss and get estimate before execution.
I am also contemplating a small rest place (farm house?) in Lawrie baker model. Need to see whether I can get stone suitable for this.
I got very good help from Ganesh Babu and Rambabu for land registration, passbook, electricity connection, digging of bore well, etc. They have a small farm house 100 metres away from my land. A few snaps taken during our visit to our land in Feb 2011 are here ...
Whenever we visit our land we take rest at Rambabu's farm house. It is a great relief to us. He has maintained his farm very well. His farm has good number of mangos, musambi, guva, pappaya, rtc. He has a good drip irrigation in place with full time help from a family who stay there.
Following snaps are from his farm house :-
Transformer theft
During May 2011, my neighbor informed me that my transformer is stolen. A few other transformers are also stolen. Theft is mainly for selling of copper wire inside it. Talked to the Engineer and made an FIR and had to shell out some money. Expect to get the transformer reinstalled soon.
Pits for plantation and JCB Operator
After a long wait, I could get JCB for digging pits for planting mangos, guva, etc.. Agreed rate for JCB was Rs.650 per hour. Started work on 19th June 2011 at 2.30 pm. JCB stopped at 6.30 pm. 75 pits got completed. They promised to come again next day at 4.30 am. Hence, I stayed back at Rambabu's farm house.
Had dinner with Narasimha, Laxmi and their son Sai (care-taker family of neighbor's farm). JCB operator, Ravindra Reddy also joined us for dinner. He is a very young man, around 25 yrs. He does not have any place to live. His house is JCB. He takes care of maintenance of JCB. Different drivers come in shifts. This boy sleeps wherever the JCB is! He tells me that his parents committed suicide when he was very young. He is married now and his wife refuses to come and stay with him. His in-laws wants him to stay with them and take care of their family (it is their custom, which he was not aware!). He has passed out his 10th class in first class. He tells me that he would be approaching Gemini TV for finding justice with his wife and their family! God blem them to have a happy family life.
We came back to farm house around 7 pm. It was geting darker. It was a full moon day with clear sky and stars glittering all over. I went back to my childhood, where we used to sleep in the open during summer! Suddenly, I heard Ravindra Reddy shouting "something bit me on my foot and it looks like a scorpion!". He tied his leg with a towel at his knee and was struggling with pain. We called the JCB owner. He was away in city. I tried to call my doctor friends to get some advice. Could not get through. We put turmeric powder on the wounded area. Tried to locate any doctor nearby. I was told there is one "visha vaidyan" who removed it through some mantras. We took him there and returned. We prayed god nothing bad should happen to him. He was alright by next day morning. Though this place is just 50 KM away from city, it is very strange that there is not even a single doctor in this village! Another side of life!.
JCB started work again at 6.30 am next day. It stopped again at 11.30 am as some brack got broken. This got repaired only in the night and completed my work in the night. Altogether 194 pits were made in 10-1/2 hours, i.e. 18 pits per hour, whcih works out to approx 38 rupees per pit.
A few photographs taken after the digging pits are shown under:-
Tried to take a few photos of the moon from neighbor's farm.. ..
Surprises!!
Some one took away the copper wire in the 16 KVA transformer feeding my submersible pump and other 2 farmers. Got in touch with electricity board and got a replacement after a month with constant follow up. By the time the replacement transformer came, my starter switch panel which was tied to the electric pole with GI wire along wich cable connecting to submersible pump was stolen. Got another starter switch panel which did not work. Later on it is found that the new transformer output is coming only in one phase. Another loop to get the transformer repaired. 2 weeks passed. Got to know different links like Electric contractor Nagaraj, transformer repairer Rajesh, Auto driver who is engaged permanently for transformer repairs, etc. Transformer is likely to come tomorrow (30th Sep).
Approached Fenolex for getting subsidy. He gave quote. He said approval process will take 2 months time. Offered to make full payment and then take reimbursement after approval. He advised to approach any local agent who can help on this. Went to Jain Drip and paid full amount. Though they promised to install it within a week's time, it got delayed due to different reason. For laying drip main pipes 2" and 1-1/2" dia, they wanted 2' deep trenches to be made. Tried local labour who were not willing to do such heavy job. We estimated 2 hours job with JCB. However, it ended up in 10+ hours of JCB work. Along with trenches I made 2 compost pits, recharge pit for borewell and a road by filling soil from sides and connecting it with main road. I also purchased 2 nos. of 1-1/2' dia cement pipes for water drainage purpose below the connecting link between main road and my land. I am hopeful of getting following items in a couple of days.
Sept/October 2011
Transformer got repaired. New starter switch placed with provision to take back daily home to avoid theft during night. Drip pipes still got delayed. However, planted the trees and mixed the farm yard manure and bio-fertilizer along with neem cake and vermiculture. Deployed labourers for 2 days and completed the work. New idea of putting a overhead tank with cement rings was completed. Identified source for laterite stone and started work main gate. Laterite stone of size 14"x7"x6-1/2" was available for Rs.7 plus transportation. Laying charge quoted by them for karnataka mason was Rs.7 per stone.
20th Oct 20111
Located laterite stone at Yenkapally near moinapet and paid Rs.5000 advance and ordered 1000 stones.
- Transformer after repair. I can check whether my pump is working properly and the exact water yield.
- Drip pipes - Hope to lay it immediately and then have them connected to the bore well.
- I need to mix the Farm Yard Manure, I procured with the bio-fertilizer, neem cake, and put them into the pits.
Once the water availability is established, I need to plan on vegetables, compost pit, vermi-compost, etc...
Explore using laterite stone for farm house, gate, etc. Understand good laterite stone of size 15"L x 9"W x 6"T is available @Rs.7 per piece in the neighborhood. Rough laterite stones are also available in Yellakonda village. Requested Hanumanth Reddy to find the source and rates. Discussed with Rambabu on this plan, who is also enthusiastic about this. Need to talk to Prasad on a few designs using these stones.
November 2011
Got one load of Farm Yard Manure and mixed it with the organic manure obtained earlier and put them in the pit as per instruction. All the plants were planted in the pits deploying people from nearby place - rampally. It took 2 - 3 days to plant and water them. Made an tank with cement rings to store water, approximate capacity 200 litres. Got the drip installed from Jain Irrigation. connected the drip to the tank. Need to lower the borewell pipes from existing 250' to 350' and check whether I can get continuous yield from the borewell. There was an error in the number of stages of the submersible pump! Instead of 12 stage pump, the pump installed was only 8 stages! Each stage is a multiple of 30', which means my pump can go only upto 240'. I need to get either a 12 or 14 stage pump. Need to explore possibility of exchanging or buy a new pump.
Ordered for 1000 laterite stones to take up the gate work. Took help from Hanumanth Reddy to engage the mason to complete the work. Two loads of stone came and finished half of the gate work. Some problem with the stone query and no supply now. Expect to get balance stones during this week and complete gate and culvert work. This was a very bitter experience for me. Balance stones are yet to come.
From Dec 2011 to March 2012 my farming got reduced to monthly visit to farm! I need to focus on installing a suitable pump to lift water from 400, making a room so that I can find a full time watchman to take care of my plans and execute my future plans.
I spent a good time on Google sketch up to make different plans for my farm house. It is very easy to learn. Good help is available on the site. Please see a farmhouse plan (dream) made by me on sketch up!
Exploring different possibilies of constructing a room in the land. Saw the Tata nanohouse for 32K news and waited enough. Understand it is still not launched. Need to work on some other simple construction method. Contacted PMG structurals and they responded quoting approx Rs.1000 per sft. These houses are movable. See details on their site www.pmgstructurals.com. Looks good.
Today, I went to attend a workshop on "zero budget farming" conducted by Subhash Palekar at Maruthi Garden, Lakdi ka pul. I was bit late and I could not get the registration. However, logged on to his website http://palekarzerobudgetnaturalfarming.com/ which has lot of information which I did not hear before. Very convincing indeed! Another item on this same subject was seen in youtube. A good Malayalam documentary. Pl enjoy watching it.
Just before the rains, in between the plants, planted Tur Dal (Pigeon Pea). Got 2 kgs of seeds from Shankarpally and leveled the group with the help of tractor from Hanumanth Reddy. Narasimha helped to plant the seeds. Last time when I visited lot of weeds were growing in between which was cleared by deploying some labour. Now the plants have started flowering. A few snaps taken during last visit in Septemnber 2012 are here :-
My plants are now trapped in between the wild growth and Tur Dal. I am now seriously thinking whether to take the "natural farming" route or "organic farming"
During our last visit to the farm, I took a video of a butterfly. Watch it here:-
The other day I came across a very good video showing urban acquaponics - farming done in the city without soil and very little water by recycling the water through plants and fish. Please watch them here and get inspired :-
Rethna's parents and brother (Kishor) were in Hyderabad In Sep first week. We took them to our farm and enjoyed their company..
Last week we visited farm to see status of Tur Dal. Tur Dal is in full bloom with yellow flowers. However, I could see some pest infection, which I need to take care using organic pesticide :-
I had no plans at all after my retirement in Dec 2010. I only thought of taking rest and seeing places of interest. A few months prior to retirement, I imagined of my retired life. What will I do daily after getting up? How many days I can take rest and travel? I became jittery. I was sure I will become a pain to every one at home and to myself. I decided to have another daily routine. That is how the idea of farming got seeded in my mind and started scouting for a small land nearby. Parallelly I made a back up plan of becoming an insurance agent by which I can be in touch with people around an and make pocket money. Another back up plan was doing some freelancing work for streamlining of Operation processes and also teaching basic excel!
When I started farming, my internet browsing and bookmarking increased. Later I wanted to keep them in a place for easy reference. That is how started my blog through blogger and started learning it by trial and error method.
In this blog, I tried to make a diary when I started farming. Initial days, I used to do the blogging very enthusiastically. Later on it became very slow and almost stopped.
Very recently (in Sep 2014) I tried to organize it again. One page is on my farming experience. Rest of the pages are articles or videos from websites which are bookmarked by me.
My Land near Shankarpally (Yellakonda Village, Nawabpet Mandal, RR Dist., Telangana)
Monday, February 14, 2011 6:44 PM
Farming always fascinated me. It gives lot of happiness. Re sults of ones efforts are seen fast and hence it motivates for higher levels of achievement. Farming gives lot of mental peace.
Bought a small piece of land near Hyderabad so that I could start making vegetables for my own use, without using chemical fertilizers and pesticides. While most of my friends did not endorse this thought due to the current state of affairs in AP, my family gave full support. I have been browsing extensively after this and got motivated by the work done by D V Sridharan in Point Return (http://goodnewsindia.com/pointreturn/online/what-is-pointreturn/).
A few other good sites interested me are -
1. http://www.agricultureinformation.com/mag (Almost all information including buying and selling and consultancy available here).
2. www.kissankerala.net - A Kerala State initiative for providing integrated agricultural information
3. www.ofai.org - The Organic Farming Association of India (OFAI) is the country's only organization of grassroots organic farmer.
4. http://agri.and.nic.in/organic_farming.htm -
Registered my land, fenced it and dug a bore well (water yield low) and electric connection obtained. Plan to do rain-harvesting and charging of bore well by trench and pond to improve yield. Need to make trench (canal) across the land leading to a pond near bore well. Soil dug out from these tranches to be used for making a road.
I got one passbook for the land. Another passbook, which needs to be signed by Collector is yet to be obtained. Understand no work is happening in government offices now. Need to wait and see.
Looking for an easy way of commuting between Begumpet and farm. Nearest railway station to tmy farm is Ravulapalli Kalan. From there it is about 3 km. Need to find ways to commute by train and then by 2-wheeler (bi-cycle or scooter).
Yesterday (13th Feb 2011) I went by train to Ravulapalli Kalan by Vikarabad passenger train. Ticket costed Rs.7 and travel time was approx 1 hour. Got down and walked the 3 KM distance to my land. Approach road was with gravel and shared autos were plying, in addition to occasional trucks, motor bikes and cars. Return train was around 1130 and 1700 hrs in the evening. On my way back I missed the 1130 train and I took a shared auto to Shankarpally from Ravulapally (Rs.6). From Shankarpally to Patancheru another shared auto (Rs.10) and from there by bus to Paradise (Rs.18).
Once I get a parking place, it would be very convenient to commute between home and my land. I am sure I can find a place soon.
My bore well also gave good water which tastes good. However, it stopped after 10 minutes. Need to extend the pipe beyond 200'. Bore is 400' deep.
Before I start my pit work for fruit plantation, I need to plan trenches and a pond to charge my bore well and land. Currently reading article on 'swales' at PointReturn (http://goodnewsindia.com/pointreturn).
Started designing my farm layout using Google sketchup. Gradually learning to use this tool and I am getting a grip on it. Rough sketch is ready. Need to discuss and get estimate before execution.
I am also contemplating a small rest place (farm house?) in Lawrie baker model. Need to see whether I can get stone suitable for this.
I got very good help from Ganesh Babu and Rambabu for land registration, passbook, electricity connection, digging of bore well, etc. They have a small farm house 100 metres away from my land. A few snaps taken during our visit to our land in Feb 2011 are here ...
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| Ah.. Water.. |
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| Rethna near borewell |
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| Rethna & our farm! |
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| Our car parked beside our land |
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| RTC Bus to Shankarpally crossing our land |
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| Retna checking the soil |
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| Elec connection.. |
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| Inspecting bore well.. ? |
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| Our land with Warrier's blessings.. |
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| Warrier, Rajendran and Veena |
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| A mango tree in full bloom on the way to Ravulapalli Railway Station (3 Km from our land) |
Following snaps are from his farm house :-
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| Neighbour's farmhouse |
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| Mango grove |
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| Bananas |
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| Mango flower - close shot |
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| Papaya |
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| Banana |
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| Reflection |
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| floating |
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| floating |
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| sheep |
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| chicken |
Yesterday, I went for the Horticulture Exhibition and sales at People Plaza, Necklace Road. Hanumantha Rao, my colleague informed me of this. It is organized by AP State Horticulture Dept.
It had a very good collection of plants, bio-fertilizers and pesticides, farming implements, drip irrigation system, interior decoration ideas, etc.
Fruit Plants: Vijaya Phyto Farms, Shameerpet (www.vijayafarms.com) had a very good collection of mango, lemon, guava trees of different ages. Ganga Nursery, Sangareddy (www.ganganursery.co.in) also had a very nice collection of fruit variety plants. Another stall in this group was Brundavan Nursery, Nagole (9848053820), whose rate seemed to be little less than the earlier two. Rate per plant ranged from Rs.50 onward to 400 per plants depending on age of the plant. Growmor Good Nursery, Kompally (9848016332 gromor2000@yahoo.co.in) had a good collection of big size agenue trees, fruit plants, palms, shrubs, ground cover, seasonal flower and indoor plants.
Drip Irrigation: Jain Irrigation had a good display of their drip system model and actual plant and other components. Cost was not available.
Indoor & Landscaping: Jagtap Nursery from Pune (www.jagtapnursery.com) had a very good collection of decorative pots and planters, decorative pebbles and chips and landscaping items like fountains in different shapes, which looked very attractive.
JKD BIOwall box/Greenwall Vertical Garden Module: JKD enterprises from Mumbai (garden@bom5.vsnl.net.in / 022-23713340) had a nice vertical plant arrangements in different sizes. These could be arranged vertically up on wall or kept in circular fashion in the centre. Price ranges from Rs.900 upwards for 12 pots.
Bio control agents: A good number of stalls were selling bio control agents. I could see KN Biosciences (India) P. Ltd., Bachupally ( 040-23045338 www.knbiosciences.in), Agrilife, C/o/ SOM Phytopharma (9885446278 www.agrilife.in), Maruuthi Agro Tech and Fertilizers Ltd., Malkajgiri (maruuthiannadatha@yahoo.com / 9985079174).
Garden equipment/tools: Ikon Associate, AC Guards, Lakdikapool had a good display of gardeen tools, implements and equipments. Most of them were of Falcon and Hitachi make. CGN Classic Garden Needs, Quithbullapur (040-23174545 classicgardenneeds@gmail.com) had good display of Gardening, material handling and construction equipments like Wheel Barrows, Lawn Movers, Hose reels, platform trolleys, etc.
Government Agency: addition to this Horticulture Department had their staff who were eager to give all information required to the farmer.
It was really a great experience. Definitely one can spend a day without any boredom here.
It had a very good collection of plants, bio-fertilizers and pesticides, farming implements, drip irrigation system, interior decoration ideas, etc.
Fruit Plants: Vijaya Phyto Farms, Shameerpet (www.vijayafarms.com) had a very good collection of mango, lemon, guava trees of different ages. Ganga Nursery, Sangareddy (www.ganganursery.co.in) also had a very nice collection of fruit variety plants. Another stall in this group was Brundavan Nursery, Nagole (9848053820), whose rate seemed to be little less than the earlier two. Rate per plant ranged from Rs.50 onward to 400 per plants depending on age of the plant. Growmor Good Nursery, Kompally (9848016332 gromor2000@yahoo.co.in) had a good collection of big size agenue trees, fruit plants, palms, shrubs, ground cover, seasonal flower and indoor plants.
Drip Irrigation: Jain Irrigation had a good display of their drip system model and actual plant and other components. Cost was not available.
Indoor & Landscaping: Jagtap Nursery from Pune (www.jagtapnursery.com) had a very good collection of decorative pots and planters, decorative pebbles and chips and landscaping items like fountains in different shapes, which looked very attractive.
JKD BIOwall box/Greenwall Vertical Garden Module: JKD enterprises from Mumbai (garden@bom5.vsnl.net.in / 022-23713340) had a nice vertical plant arrangements in different sizes. These could be arranged vertically up on wall or kept in circular fashion in the centre. Price ranges from Rs.900 upwards for 12 pots.
Bio control agents: A good number of stalls were selling bio control agents. I could see KN Biosciences (India) P. Ltd., Bachupally ( 040-23045338 www.knbiosciences.in), Agrilife, C/o/ SOM Phytopharma (9885446278 www.agrilife.in), Maruuthi Agro Tech and Fertilizers Ltd., Malkajgiri (maruuthiannadatha@yahoo.com / 9985079174).
Garden equipment/tools: Ikon Associate, AC Guards, Lakdikapool had a good display of gardeen tools, implements and equipments. Most of them were of Falcon and Hitachi make. CGN Classic Garden Needs, Quithbullapur (040-23174545 classicgardenneeds@gmail.com) had good display of Gardening, material handling and construction equipments like Wheel Barrows, Lawn Movers, Hose reels, platform trolleys, etc.
Government Agency: addition to this Horticulture Department had their staff who were eager to give all information required to the farmer.
It was really a great experience. Definitely one can spend a day without any boredom here.
Transformer theft
During May 2011, my neighbor informed me that my transformer is stolen. A few other transformers are also stolen. Theft is mainly for selling of copper wire inside it. Talked to the Engineer and made an FIR and had to shell out some money. Expect to get the transformer reinstalled soon.
Pits for plantation and JCB Operator
After a long wait, I could get JCB for digging pits for planting mangos, guva, etc.. Agreed rate for JCB was Rs.650 per hour. Started work on 19th June 2011 at 2.30 pm. JCB stopped at 6.30 pm. 75 pits got completed. They promised to come again next day at 4.30 am. Hence, I stayed back at Rambabu's farm house.
Had dinner with Narasimha, Laxmi and their son Sai (care-taker family of neighbor's farm). JCB operator, Ravindra Reddy also joined us for dinner. He is a very young man, around 25 yrs. He does not have any place to live. His house is JCB. He takes care of maintenance of JCB. Different drivers come in shifts. This boy sleeps wherever the JCB is! He tells me that his parents committed suicide when he was very young. He is married now and his wife refuses to come and stay with him. His in-laws wants him to stay with them and take care of their family (it is their custom, which he was not aware!). He has passed out his 10th class in first class. He tells me that he would be approaching Gemini TV for finding justice with his wife and their family! God blem them to have a happy family life.
We came back to farm house around 7 pm. It was geting darker. It was a full moon day with clear sky and stars glittering all over. I went back to my childhood, where we used to sleep in the open during summer! Suddenly, I heard Ravindra Reddy shouting "something bit me on my foot and it looks like a scorpion!". He tied his leg with a towel at his knee and was struggling with pain. We called the JCB owner. He was away in city. I tried to call my doctor friends to get some advice. Could not get through. We put turmeric powder on the wounded area. Tried to locate any doctor nearby. I was told there is one "visha vaidyan" who removed it through some mantras. We took him there and returned. We prayed god nothing bad should happen to him. He was alright by next day morning. Though this place is just 50 KM away from city, it is very strange that there is not even a single doctor in this village! Another side of life!.
JCB started work again at 6.30 am next day. It stopped again at 11.30 am as some brack got broken. This got repaired only in the night and completed my work in the night. Altogether 194 pits were made in 10-1/2 hours, i.e. 18 pits per hour, whcih works out to approx 38 rupees per pit.
A few photographs taken after the digging pits are shown under:-
Tried to take a few photos of the moon from neighbor's farm.. ..
Surprises!!
Some one took away the copper wire in the 16 KVA transformer feeding my submersible pump and other 2 farmers. Got in touch with electricity board and got a replacement after a month with constant follow up. By the time the replacement transformer came, my starter switch panel which was tied to the electric pole with GI wire along wich cable connecting to submersible pump was stolen. Got another starter switch panel which did not work. Later on it is found that the new transformer output is coming only in one phase. Another loop to get the transformer repaired. 2 weeks passed. Got to know different links like Electric contractor Nagaraj, transformer repairer Rajesh, Auto driver who is engaged permanently for transformer repairs, etc. Transformer is likely to come tomorrow (30th Sep).
Approached Fenolex for getting subsidy. He gave quote. He said approval process will take 2 months time. Offered to make full payment and then take reimbursement after approval. He advised to approach any local agent who can help on this. Went to Jain Drip and paid full amount. Though they promised to install it within a week's time, it got delayed due to different reason. For laying drip main pipes 2" and 1-1/2" dia, they wanted 2' deep trenches to be made. Tried local labour who were not willing to do such heavy job. We estimated 2 hours job with JCB. However, it ended up in 10+ hours of JCB work. Along with trenches I made 2 compost pits, recharge pit for borewell and a road by filling soil from sides and connecting it with main road. I also purchased 2 nos. of 1-1/2' dia cement pipes for water drainage purpose below the connecting link between main road and my land. I am hopeful of getting following items in a couple of days.
Sept/October 2011
Transformer got repaired. New starter switch placed with provision to take back daily home to avoid theft during night. Drip pipes still got delayed. However, planted the trees and mixed the farm yard manure and bio-fertilizer along with neem cake and vermiculture. Deployed labourers for 2 days and completed the work. New idea of putting a overhead tank with cement rings was completed. Identified source for laterite stone and started work main gate. Laterite stone of size 14"x7"x6-1/2" was available for Rs.7 plus transportation. Laying charge quoted by them for karnataka mason was Rs.7 per stone.
20th Oct 20111
Located laterite stone at Yenkapally near moinapet and paid Rs.5000 advance and ordered 1000 stones.
- Transformer after repair. I can check whether my pump is working properly and the exact water yield.
- Drip pipes - Hope to lay it immediately and then have them connected to the bore well.
- I need to mix the Farm Yard Manure, I procured with the bio-fertilizer, neem cake, and put them into the pits.
Once the water availability is established, I need to plan on vegetables, compost pit, vermi-compost, etc...
Explore using laterite stone for farm house, gate, etc. Understand good laterite stone of size 15"L x 9"W x 6"T is available @Rs.7 per piece in the neighborhood. Rough laterite stones are also available in Yellakonda village. Requested Hanumanth Reddy to find the source and rates. Discussed with Rambabu on this plan, who is also enthusiastic about this. Need to talk to Prasad on a few designs using these stones.
November 2011
Got one load of Farm Yard Manure and mixed it with the organic manure obtained earlier and put them in the pit as per instruction. All the plants were planted in the pits deploying people from nearby place - rampally. It took 2 - 3 days to plant and water them. Made an tank with cement rings to store water, approximate capacity 200 litres. Got the drip installed from Jain Irrigation. connected the drip to the tank. Need to lower the borewell pipes from existing 250' to 350' and check whether I can get continuous yield from the borewell. There was an error in the number of stages of the submersible pump! Instead of 12 stage pump, the pump installed was only 8 stages! Each stage is a multiple of 30', which means my pump can go only upto 240'. I need to get either a 12 or 14 stage pump. Need to explore possibility of exchanging or buy a new pump.
Ordered for 1000 laterite stones to take up the gate work. Took help from Hanumanth Reddy to engage the mason to complete the work. Two loads of stone came and finished half of the gate work. Some problem with the stone query and no supply now. Expect to get balance stones during this week and complete gate and culvert work. This was a very bitter experience for me. Balance stones are yet to come.
From Dec 2011 to March 2012 my farming got reduced to monthly visit to farm! I need to focus on installing a suitable pump to lift water from 400, making a room so that I can find a full time watchman to take care of my plans and execute my future plans.
I spent a good time on Google sketch up to make different plans for my farm house. It is very easy to learn. Good help is available on the site. Please see a farmhouse plan (dream) made by me on sketch up!
Exploring different possibilies of constructing a room in the land. Saw the Tata nanohouse for 32K news and waited enough. Understand it is still not launched. Need to work on some other simple construction method. Contacted PMG structurals and they responded quoting approx Rs.1000 per sft. These houses are movable. See details on their site www.pmgstructurals.com. Looks good.
Today, I went to attend a workshop on "zero budget farming" conducted by Subhash Palekar at Maruthi Garden, Lakdi ka pul. I was bit late and I could not get the registration. However, logged on to his website http://palekarzerobudgetnaturalfarming.com/ which has lot of information which I did not hear before. Very convincing indeed! Another item on this same subject was seen in youtube. A good Malayalam documentary. Pl enjoy watching it.
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| Tur Dal |
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| Tur Dal |
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| Mango plant |
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| Banana from Moly |
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| Mango |
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| Rethna and Madhavan at farm |
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| Mango |
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