organic farming

Gnana Saravanan and Krishnasudha, IT professionals in Chennai, left their corporate jobs to return to their farming roots in Palakkad, Kerala.

Saddened by increasing farmer suicides, agriculture entomologist Sangita Sawalakhe innovated bio alternatives to chemical pesticides and fertilisers to help farmers switch to organic farming.

Kerala-based Beena Tom uses her cooking skills to make a variety of dishes from flowers and fruits available in her backyard – from coconut, arecanut, mangoes, guavas, to butterfly peas. Her passion led her to establish a thriving enterprise ‘Bees of Beena’, where she sells homemade jams, pickles, squash, juices, chips, and honey.

Working for over 20 years in the development sector, Madhu Chougaonkar saw the long-term benefits of a sustainable life. She runs the Adiem Kaanan Farmstay along with her daughter.

Deepak Sabharwal was shocked to read the 'poison' label on pesticides used on his family's farms. He shifted to organic farming and started Earthy Tales, to help more farmers make the switch.

At 78, Eyyo Kuriakose from Kottayam, Kerala, has developed a patented, durable grow bag with an integrated drip irrigation system, which he claims reduces water usage and enhances crop health.

Narayana Rai, a visionary farmer, began cultivating ‘kokum’ to conserve it as plantations started declining. His flourishing estate, now managed by his son Ramesh Rai, boasts over 10,000 kokum trees.

Kerala-based Padma Suresh grows 20 varieties of organic vegetables on her terrace. By meeting daily needs and selling extra produce in the market, she saves and earns up to Rs 5,000 a month.

As urban gardeners strive to grow organic fruits and vegetables, these five unique, easy-to-make fertilisers make the job easy and keep potted plants healthy and thriving.

Mustafa P A converted a 5.5-acre barren mining site into Greenara Homestay, a green oasis with thousands of trees, man-made ponds, and mud cottages.