Some time back collected a few seeds of taro from my native which is very tasty. In my childhood we used to cultivate it on raised bed and used to get good harvest. While at home, we were not having seeds, but one of my cousin used to still cultivate it every year, even though he is not a full time farmer, he kept the seeds. Some people like this left in our villages, are the real seed conservators.
Last year I planted this taro here and there and resulted in more seeds. Since this is not eaten by wild pigs and rats so far, planning to expand it into more areas. There is also good demand for this and also it has better shelf life so selling is little more easier.
Last year I planted this taro here and there and resulted in more seeds. Since this is not eaten by wild pigs and rats so far, planning to expand it into more areas. There is also good demand for this and also it has better shelf life so selling is little more easier.
When I enquired about how to keep the seeds for the next rainy season, an old farmer called Manual (we call him Manualettan) from Wayanad who is a tuber expert and keeps many varieties of tubers advised me to keep them in soil and mulch it. So thought of planting them now itself. Cleared some areas by scythe and then made small opening using crowbar and put small seeds and then covered with soil and then applied mulch. I have promised Manualettan to give this seeds when I meet him in December in Vatakara for the annual meeting of Kerala Jaiva Karshaka Samithi.
Since this is being done in more areas, planning to apply some cowdung slurry in the rainy season after they come up.
Mulching after putting seeds
Tools used
Small pits made and seeds put
Since this is being done in more areas, planning to apply some cowdung slurry in the rainy season after they come up.
Mulching after putting seeds
Tools used
Small pits made and seeds put
15-December-2018
Lot of mulch from this tree..
26-December-2018
In two more beds taro planted...This bed was prepared earlier and had browntop millet growing earlier.
07-January-2019
Inspected some of the seeds planted a month back after pulling mulches, they are doing good. The soil was bit cool under the mulch, hoping that they will survive the summer and will see the rain.
16-January-2019
Applied some dried cowdung collected on the cow grazing area nearby, on one bed. This is the advantage of planting along with harvesting since it gives lot of time for these kind of activities.
Lot of mulch from this tree..
26-December-2018
In two more beds taro planted...This bed was prepared earlier and had browntop millet growing earlier.
07-January-2019
Inspected some of the seeds planted a month back after pulling mulches, they are doing good. The soil was bit cool under the mulch, hoping that they will survive the summer and will see the rain.
16-January-2019
Applied some dried cowdung collected on the cow grazing area nearby, on one bed. This is the advantage of planting along with harvesting since it gives lot of time for these kind of activities.
2 comments:
Nice One,
Please check following site for more detail on natural farming, you might be aware of.
http://aurovillepermaculture.in/
Thanks. Yes have seen natural farming in auroville, never got a chance to visit them
Regards,
Nandan
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