Nambikkai vidhai (Seeds of hope) from Virudhai
Along the lanes of Mettukundu village in Virudhunagar sandwiched by vast expanse of monocropping of sorghum (cholam), maize, cotton, sunflower lies Prem Kumar’s 3.75 acre multi-cropped food farm like an oasis in the desert. “My aim is to set up a model integrated farm which could reduce cultivation expense, use natural cycles as much as possible and be manageable by family members itself while ensuring direct sales to consumer.” says Prem Kumar. As we step into the farm, we find Athalakkai (little wild gourd), a common staple there in Virudhunagar which recently caught the fantasy of Chennai’s consumers leading to its sudden demand for a short run. “There are a lot of edible weeds in rainfed farms like midukam palam, panai keerai (mayili) that we consumer.” said Prem Kumar.
The farm is segregated into 9 patches and multi-cropping and crop rotation between the Aadi (June-July) and Karthikai (November-December) cropping seasons is practiced. Prem Kumar cultivates Ragi, Pearl millet (Kambu), Barnyard millet (Kuthiraivali), Kodo millet (Varagu), Sesame, Blackgram, Field beans (Mochai) — Black, white, light brown varieties, Coriander, Chickpeas, Green gram and Veggies like Bottle, ridge gourd, pumpkin, ladies finger with red gram along the borders of each patch. He is growing country chicken, rabbit and ornamental fishes in his home backyard for supplementary income.
Dry land and rainfed farming was like this across the country a few decades ago but times have changed and Prem Kumar’s farm is an exception now. Years of neglect and disproportionate financial and policy support has drastically impacted dry land and rainfed farmers. Adding to this is the impact of climate change and increasing human-animal conflict. “All is not rosy, life as a rainfed farmer is painstakingly difficult. This year Barnyard millet harvest has been affected due to lesser rain and damage due to deer. The harvest is usually 600–700 kg/ acre but we harvested only 350 kg/acre. If the dew is high in Thai (January-February) month it will lead to blackening of coriander. Black gram in my farm was completely lost due to wild pig. Wild pig, peacock and deer are a big menace in our locality.”
The image of Nammalvar dons the entrance of Prem Kumar’s home and aptly his home is filled with sacks of organically produced millets, pulses and food items — some drying in the terrace, some being packed for shipping to customers and some waiting for being processed in nearby millet processing mill. In spite of the struggles to make ends meet, Prem Kumar is optimistic. He is planning to set up food forest in 1 acre along with a self-managed poultry and livestock unit. He is also planning to dig trenches (agazhi) along the farm border to conserve water. In another farm, he is experimenting do-nothing farming and cultivating red sorghum (cholam). Prem Kumar’s pursuit is not solitary, he is part of Suzhiyam collective in Virudhunagar, a community of organic farmers and consumers who meet monthly once in each other’s farms on the 4th Sunday of the month. The community has around 30 people who actively participate. The dry land and rain fed agriculture practices of multi-cropping, organic farming and low inputs and water usage holds the key to unlock climate resilience and more efforts has to be encouraged in this direction.
