When the residents’ association asked us to participate in a meeting, addressed by the agriculture officer from the state government department, we attended it out of curiosity. The meeting took hardly an hour. The officer explained to the participants, numbering fifty, how to cultivate common vegetable at home-stead, having limited space.
We were shown containers, specially designed to cultivate cow-pea, bitter guard, tomato and ladies finger etc. Seeds, manure, literature and some simple implements were also distributed at the meeting. My home-maker wife was very enthusiastic about the venture. Finding soil was the difficult part of our exercise. We got the soil from a local nursery. Using the limited space around our house and roof-top, we began our venture.
Our limited success in cultivating common vegetables, was taken note by the officer and advised us to keep in touch with her. This gracious officer favored us with seeds and timely advice. We were a bit skeptical when she asked us to try a dozen cabbage plants. In a short time, to our surprise, vegetable garden rewarded us with quick yields. Soon we realized that our vegetable bill has come down. A small pit was also dug, to make compost from kitchen waste.
Sky-rocketing prices of vegetables, prompted us to take up this venture on a better scale. The number of vegetable items grew in number. Amarath, brinjal, snake-guard all sprouted in a jiffy. Cabbage was a big surprise, as we thought it belonged to cold region.
Visitors came calling to study the new venture. Curious neighbors came first. Parrots and squirrels too came during early morning, to steal their share of cow-pea. As creepers spread their wings, a variety of birds made their presence felt, with their unique and deep throated calls.
It was not a cake-walk. A variety of pests and worms landed on the plants, from no where. We won the battles with bio-pesticides and weedicides Every morning, a thorough inspection is done to find out any fresh infection. Eternal vigilance ensured healthy growth of vegetable plants and yield. A seminar organized by the Vegetable and Fruit Promotion Council, helped us to try better seeds and cultivation methods.
Joy of finding sprouts of bitter-guard, snake-guard and tomato, at the day break, is a special reward of this venture. A lone, beautiful parrots’ intransigence, ignoring us and flying down to snatch a tender cow-pea, too is memorable.
The magic effect of the new venture was palpable in many ways. Throughout the day, we have lots of topics to discuss. Seeds to be sworn, manure to be applied, pesticides to be sprayed and ripe vegetable to be picked. Quality of the family relations improved. My better half, who suffered a persistent migraine, felt relieved and stopped taking medicine. Children enjoyed the visits of birds and other creatures.
These days, work-pressure, busy schedules, waning interpersonal relations at home and work-place, are taking a heavy toll on one and all. Perhaps the best way to cure the ills of modern life is to get close to the land and soil.
By caring the plants and devoting time, you also learn to build a special relation with nature and people. It is the best way to change a monotonous life. With best seeds, manure and advice, there is no challenge in cultivating common vegetables. But the lessons we leant from this venture are really worth it. It also gave us a new perspective about the agrarian crisis and tragic plight of the Indian farming community.
No comments:
Post a Comment