Farm Design - Design One (Ver 5.0)

In our Agriculture for Everybody blog series, we will see the pictorial representation of the Fence Design.  The detailed discussion about the Fences have already been covered previously in our blogs.

From the picture, you can notice that there are 3 layers of Fences available.  The Fences will consist of 2 Ft Wide & 1.5 Ft Depth.  The Open Spaces will consist of 3 Ft Wide.  Either we can plant ourselves in the Open Spaces or we will allow nature to take care of itself.

It is not necessary to have all the 3 layers of the Fences.  Depending on the requirement, you can go for single layer or multiple layers of the Fences.

Farm Design - Design One (Ver 4.0)

In our Agriculture for Everybody blog series, we are going to see the Design One (Ver 4.0).


We have already analysed why Roads are very important in the Farm Design in one of our previous blogs.

In this blog, we are going to see the actual design in action and how we are going to utilize even the space allocated to roads to our advantage.

Note: The maximum width of the road vehicle in India is not more than 10 ft and hence we will keep this in mind while allocating the space for roads.

At the minimum, we have to allocate 15 ft or more for roads in our farm.  This is only required for the main roads as well as the entire border roads in our farm and may not be applicable for the roads in the interior of the farm.  This space is required so that the vehicle does not get into the crop areas of the farm and hence prevent the damage to the crops in the farm.

If you want the bigger vehicle to travel to the inner parts of the farm also, then 15 ft is required for all the roads.  Otherwise, you can allocate very small area for smaller vehicles (depending on the vehicle width and add 1 or 2 ft extra).  This way you can transport the goods to the bigger vehicle by using the small vehicle.

If you want only a single road, I think 15 ft is enough.  But if you want double roads (two-way roads) as depicted in the picture, it is better to allocate 20 ft for each of the roads.  This means you will be allocating 40 ft.

You can plant big trees (bigger crown area) like Coconut, Fig, Tamarind, Jackfruit etc in this Trees Space.  This way you are productively using the entire space allocated to the road for other purposes as well.  This type of planting is applicable only for the East-to-West direction road only.

For the North-to-South direction road, you need to align the trees as per the Trees Space alignment.  Otherwise, the Open Space area will have shadow and hence the growth of the crops will be affected.  If in case, you want to utilize the Open Space area as well, you need to grow only those crops that does not grow beyond 4 to 5 ft in height. 

Resources & Links

I am trying to provide the very important Links which will be useful for the farmers.  I have so far identified the following links that will be of immense help to the farming community as they do not have to re-invent the wheel.

Note: As usual, please let me know the important links you have come across related to Farming/Agriculture.



Crop Production Techniques

1. Crop Production Techniques of Horticultural Crops (for Tamilnadu from TNAU) (2013 Ver) - http://agritech.tnau.ac.in/pdf/2013/cpg_horti_2013.pdf (2.5 MB Size)
2. Crop Production Guide for Agriculture (for Tamilnadu from TNAU) (2012 Ver) - http://agritech.tnau.ac.in/pdf/2013/CPG%202012.pdf (2.86 MB Size)

Tools

1. Drip Irrigation
• http://iaiindia.org/memberlist.html - Association of all Drip, Sprinkler and other pressurized irrigation system manufacturers in India
2. General 
1. http://www.ide-india.org/ - Tools for Small Land Holders

Facebook

1. Dr. G. Nammalvar - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dr-G-Nammalvar-Organic-Agriculturist/197789246939878

Nurseries

1. http://www.edennurserygardens.com - India's First Organic Nursery
2. http://www.flowersofindia.net/misc/nurseries.html
3. http://www.nhb.gov.in/nursery/report/nurseryreport.aspx - Registered Nurseries of India

Market Prices

1. TNAU & Department of Agricultural Marketing, Chennai - http://www.tnagmark.tn.nic.in/default.htm
2. Dynamic Market Information - http://202.129.199.72/

Organic Certification Agencies

1. http://www.apeda.gov.in/apedawebsite/organic/price.htm
2. http://agritech.tnau.ac.in/org_farm/orgfarm_oc%20agencies.html

Rainfall, Temperature & Weather

1. http://www.imdagrimet.gov.in/

Schemes & Subsidies for farmers in Tamilnadu

1. Agriculture Citizens Charter (in Tamil) http://cms.tn.gov.in/sites/default/files/documents/agri_t_cc_2014_15.pdf
2. Agriculture Citizens Charter (in English) http://cms.tn.gov.in/sites/default/files/documents/agri_e_cc_2014_15.pdf
3. Fisheries Citizens Charter (in Tamil ) - http://cms.tn.gov.in/sites/default/files/documents/fisheries_t_cc_2014_15.pdf
4. Fisheries Citizens Charter (in English) - http://agritech.tnau.ac.in/fishery/fisheries%20citizen%20charter%202013-14.pdf

Soil Testing Labs in TN

1. http://agritech.tnau.ac.in/agriculture/agri_soil_testinglabs.html

Timber Trees of TN

1. Utility of Agro Forestry Trees Species in Tamil Nadu
2. Tamilnadu Treepedia/

General

1. Indian Society of Weed Science - http://www.isws.in/index.php - You can check the invasive plants in India
2. India Water Portal - http://www.indiawaterportal.org/
3. Krishi Vigyan Kendra's - http://www.icar.org.in/krishi-vigyan-kendra.htm or http://agritech.tnau.ac.in/kvk/kvkindia.html
4. Indian Medicinal Plants Database - http://www.medicinalplants.in/
5. Nabard - http://www.nabard.org
6. National Centre of Organic Farming - http://ncof.dacnet.nic.in/
7. National Medicinal Plants Board - http://www.nmpb.nic.in/
8. Sanghavi Farm - http://www.savesanghavi.com/
9. Subhash Palekar's Zero Budget Spiritual Farming - http://palekarzerobudgetspiritualfarming.org/home.aspx
10. Self Reliance Movement (Thalanmai) (Tamil Online Magazine) - http://kaani.org/
11. TNAU Agritech Portal - http://agritech.tnau.ac.in/
12. Vanagam (Nammalvar's Farm) - http://www.vanagam.com/
13. Rain Water Harvesting - www.malaineer.in

Farm Design - Design One (Ver 3.0)

In our Agriculture for Everybody blog series, we will be covering an important design aspect by which rain water is harvested as part of the design. Water as a resource is becoming scarce and every farmer needs to ensure that water is saved for future use.

We can easily incorporate Rain Water Harvesting in this design without much difficulty.

Each of the Trees Space can be utilized for this purpose.  We need to dig  trenches of size 2 Ft Width and 1.5 Ft Depth and the Length is the entire length of the Trees Space.  This method of farming is called Trench Farming.  Please note that the Trees are grown in these trenches only.

• The advantage of this method of Rain Water Harvesting is that we do not have to sacrifice/allocate land for the purpose of Rain Water Harvesting separately.
• It helps reduce soil erosion due to rains/water run-off.
• Improves the ground water levels.
• During the non rainy season, we can use the trenches for putting the broken twigs, fallen branches of trees, leaves etc and this will become compost.

Please note that the excess water after filling the trenches, if any, should be collected in wells, ponds etc or should be made to leave the farmland in a graceful manner.

Note:  Rain Water Harvesting is possible only when there is a Run-Off of Rain Water.

Farm Design - Design One (Ver 2.2)

In our Agriculture for Everybody blog series, we will cover the various permutations and combinations of Long Term Crops (mainly Trees) & Medium Term Crops (again mainly Trees) and their placement at a basic design level.

So far, we have covered where the Trees will occupy the spaces in the field.  But now, we will see the different options within the Trees Space as well.

I have provided 6 options above and we will discuss them in detail below.  The Options that marked with * can be applied for Long Term Crops & Medium Term Crops as well.

Option 1

• This option is a very generic option and no specific crops have been mentioned.  The Long Term Crops specifically means that we should only plant crops that are long term in nature and similarly Medium Term Crops specifically means that we should only plant crops that are medium term in nature.
• The only requirement in this option is that we have to alternate between Long Term Crops & Short Term Crops in each row.
• The advantage is that the entire row needs attention at the same time whether it is pruning, manuring, pesticide requirements, harvest etc.
• This option is very simple in nature when compared to the other options.

Option 2*

• This option has Single Type Fruit Crops in one row and Single Type Timber Crops in alternate row.
• The only requirement in this option is that only one Fruit Crop (eg Mango) has to be planted in one row and followed by one Timber Crop (eg Teak) in the next row.
• The third row can be a different Fruit Crop (eg Coconut) and the fourth row can be a different Timber Crop (eg Red Sanders) as well.
• The advantage is that the entire row needs attention at the same time whether it is pruning, manuring, pesticide management, harvest etc.
• Another advantage in this option is that the alternate row is occupied by Timber Crops and the crown size generally will be very less and hence the Odd Rows (Fruit Crops) will get sufficient space to grow.
• This option is again very simple in nature.

Option 3*

• This option has Single Type Fruit Crops (eg Mango) in one column and followed by Single Type Timber Crops (eg Teak) in the next column.
• The second row can be a different Fruit Crop (eg Coconut) as well as the same or entirely different Timber Crop (eg Teak or Red Sanders).
• The advantage in this option is that the alternate column is occupied by Timber Crops and the crown size generally will be very less and hence the Fruit Crops will get sufficient space to grow.
• The complications starts here as we have 2 different crops in the same row and hence has to be managed differently.

Option 4*

• This option has Single Type Fruit Crops (eg Mango) in one column and followed by Multiple Type Timber Crops (eg Melia + Teak + etc) in the next columns.
• The second row can be a different Fruit Crop (eg Coconut) as well as the same or entirely different Timber Crops (eg Melia + Teak + etc or Pencil + Red Sanders + etc).
• The advantage in this option is that the alternate column is occupied by Timber Crops and the crown size generally will be very less and hence the Fruit Crops will get sufficient space to grow.
• The complications starts here as we have 1 fixed Fruit Crop and 2 or more different Timber Crops in the same row and hence has to be managed differently.

Option 5*

• This option has Multiple Type Fruit Crops (eg Mango + Sapota + etc) and followed by Multiple Type Timber Crops (eg Melia + Teak + etc) in the next columns.
• The second row can be the same or entirely different set of Fruit Crops (eg Mango + Sapota + etc or Coconut + Tamarind + etc) as well as the same or entirely different Timber Crops (eg Melia + Teak + etc or Pencil + Red Sanders + etc).
• The advantage in this option is that the alternate column is occupied by Timber Crops and the crown size generally will be very less and hence the Fruit Crops will get sufficient space to grow.
• The complications starts here as we have 2 or more different Fruit Crop and 2 or more different Timber crops in the same row and hence has to be managed differently.
• Those who use this option has to maintain records properly to knows which crops stands where.
• A mini forest is being created in this option.

Option 6

• This option is a very generic option and no specific crops have been mentioned.
• One of the  requirements in this option is that we have to alternate between Long Term Fruit Crops & Long Term Timber Crops in the same row.
• The other requirement in this option is that we have to alternate between Medium Term Fruit Crops & Medium Term Timber Crops in the next row.
• The advantage in this option is that the alternate column is occupied by Timber Crops and the crown size generally will be very less and hence the Fruit Crops column will get sufficient space to grow.
• Another advantage in this option is that both the crops (more or less) will attain maturity at the same time since we are going for the same type of longevity of the crops and hence the entire row can be managed properly.
• A mini forest is being created in this option.

Manures - Fermented Buttermilk & Coconut Milk Solution

In our Agriculture for Everybody blog series, we are going to see a manure that can easily be made and can be used even for home based Vegetables & Crops.


Required Ingredients

S.No.	Ingredient Name	Qty in Litres/Kgs
1	Fermented Buttermilk	5 Litres
2	Coconut Milk	5 Litres

Note:

• For Home Use, instead of huge volumes, it is okay to have less volume by maintaining the ratio 1:1.
• Please note that the stick (neem stick is better or any pole) used for mixing the ingredients should be cleaned before & after the usage so as to avoid maggots formations in the manure.

Method of Preparation

1. Mix both the Fermented Buttermilk & Coconut Milk and keep them in a shaded place for 1 week.

Method of Storage

1. The manure should be kept in the shade and covered with a wire mesh or plastic mosquito net to prevent houseflies from laying eggs and the formation of maggots (worms) in the solution. This is applicable during the preparation as well as during the shelf life of the manure as well.

How long can we store the Manure?

1. Not Applicable

How to use the Manure?

1. The manure needs to be sprayed after mixing 1 Litres of manure with 10 Litres of Water.

When to use the Manure?

1. The manure should be mixed thoroughly twice daily (in the morning & evening) and should be used after 1 week only for better results.
2. The manure should be applied during the flowering stage.

Farm Design - Design One (Ver 2.1)

In our Agriculture for Everybody blog series, we will address some of the queries we have raised in our previous blog namely Farm Design - An Overview.

We will focus mainly on the spacing for Trees as well as on the spacing for Open Spaces.  Also, we will discuss on the Generic v/s Standard (Specific) Spacing.

First, we will discuss on the options in the spacing of trees.  Either we can go for Standard (Specific) Spacing or Generic Spacing.

1. The Generic Spacing between Plant-to-Plant is 10 ft.
2. If we go for Standard (Specific) spacing, then the individual plant will dictate the spacing.  For eg., Coconut needs a standard spacing of 25 ft.

Secondly, regarding the Open Spaces, it is advised to have 12 ft between the rows of the plants.  Again, the Open Spaces can be 24 ft, 36 ft, 48 ft etc (can be any number of ft and not necessarily multiples of 12) and this depends on the individual needs of the farmer and the plant they grow as well.

We have mentioned the spacing between Plant-to-Plant is 10 ft and this may look very crowded.  Here, I want to highlight a general observation and this may be helpful before proceeding further.

I have noticed that there are 2 types of Trees:-

1. Single Stem Tree - Eg., Coconut, Papaya, Banana etc
2. Multi Branch Tree - Eg., Mango, Sapota, Lemon etc

Technically, even Single Stem Tree has multiple branches and the branches are basically the crown portion and not in the body.  The disadvantage in Single Stem Tree is that we cannot prune them or control them according to our needs.

Multi Branch Tree can be pruned or controlled to occupy the space that we have.  Alternatively, we can also go for Dwarf Trees as well.

Now we can visualize that 10 ft is good enough for a multi branch tree.  Those who feel the spacing is not good enough, can plant a Single Stem Tree (especially Timber Trees) next to the Multi Branch Tree and follow it with another Multi Branch Tree and repeat the process.

Farm Design - Design One (Ver 2.0)

In our Agriculture for Everybody blog series, we will concentrate on the crops section of the farm design.  We will mainly concentrate on the design structure in this blog and we will see several permutations and combinations in the next blog.

 

The entire Crops Section have been further divided into alternative sections.  The sections are called Trees Section & Open Space Section.

As the name suggests, the Trees Section will be utilized for growing Trees.  The Trees can be grown in this section can be of Long Term Crops as well as Medium Term Crops.

The Trees Section can be utilized for growing Long Term Crops like Mango, Coconut, Tamarind etc as well as for Medium Term Crops like Moringa, Papaya, Banana etc.

The Open Space Section will be utilized for growing Short Term Crops like Vegetables, Flowers, Cereals, Millets etc.

Looking in a different way, we can simply say that any crops that grow in density (like Tomatoes, Paddy etc) will be grown in Open Space Section and some of the crops may even be called Medium Term Crops based on the longevity of the crops.

Tips & Tricks

In our Agriculture for Everybody blog series, and in this page, you will get Tips & Tricks that will be very useful in improving your overall farming activities and benefit from the same.

Note: As usual, if anybody has anything to share, please provide the same.

Coconut

• Do's
• Dont's
• Have Compost near or in the Coconut Groove (generally palm family trees) as Rhinoceros Beetle is known to lay their eggs in the compost and multiply there and hence it will attack the plants and this may result in reduced coconut production or destruction of the plant itself.

Tomato

• Do's
• Have Sunflower as the supporting plant for the Tomato and this will help the plants to climb onto the Sunflower and no need for any other structures and as well as additional income for the farmers from the Sunflower plants.
• Dont's

Misc

• Do's
• Red Ants are very helpful in controlling pests.  To enable the Red Ants to cover the entire breadth and width of the farm, tie strings from one tree to the other tree above the height of 6 ft or above so that it does not create hindrance for movement of humans or vehicles in the farm.
• Use local Earthworms namely Perionyx excavates (surface dwellers) & Lampito mauritii (subsurface burrowers) for Vermicomposting and other similar activities.
• Have Honeybees and Chilli crops around the farm to avoid elephant entering into the farm.  Honeybees will get disturbed by the elephants and elephants are afraid of honeybees.  Also, elephants dislike the chilli crops as it is hot.
• Wild Pig menace can be avoided by placing human hair cut into small pieces in the path taken by the pigs.  The human hair will enter their nostrils and irritate them.
• Dont's
• Have Coconut Trees planted near Electricity Lines (EB).  Plant Coconut Trees atleast 15 ft away the EB line to avoid power cuts and accidents.

Farm Design - Design One (Ver 1.0)

In our Agriculture for Everybody blog series, I am presenting the overall farm design and will keep explaining things in detail as we go along.

We will cover the Fence Design, Crops Design, Roads Design in detail by using this picture as a base and later we will cover Livestock Sheds & Living Quarters, if possible.

By using the design, we will know the following:-

• How much land will be utilized for fencing? (Applicable only for Natural/Live/Bio Fencing model)
• What type of plants are grown in which part of the fencing area? (Very useful for tracking as it can be utilized for our own manures & pesticides)
• How much area of roads needs to be provided for?
• What is the size of each road and what type of vehicles can be allowed to travel in that road without interfering/damaging the crops?
• What type of plant is grown in which part of the land?

Design One (Ver1.0)



 

The picture given above is in Square Shape and should be considered as an illustration only and other farms which have different shapes can also incorporate this design easily without any difficulty.

Few Points to note are given below:-

1. The Crops should be planted from East to West keeping in mind the sun's direction.
2. The Livestock shed construction should also be constructed in such a way that the entrance to the shed is either from the South or North.  Also, the entire shed (length) should be from East to West.  This will reduce the heat from the sun to a greater extent.

Farm Design - Is it REALLY necessary to have Roads Design?

In our Agriculture for Everybody blog series, we will see why Roads Design is necessary and what are the reasons for having the Roads and also how to go about planning the Roads.

If we do not plan Roads in the initial stage and if we grow plants all across the farm in a haphazard manner, we may end up cutting the plants at a later stage and end up losing monetarily and hence it is necessary to have roads planned ahead of the planting of the trees.


Why Roads are necessary?

Some of the reasons for having Roads are given below.  These are just a few reasons and there may be many more reasons depending on the situation of the farm.

• Roads are necessary for transporting the goods from the farm
• Roads are necessary for monitoring the entire farm using a vehicle
• Roads are necessary for immediately attending to the injured persons and also for immediately rushing them to the hospital, if necessary

We will re-visit the Farm example that has been used in Crops Design just to establish the reason for Roads Design. Just to re-cap, the example is given below for easy reference.

Lets take a Farm (hypothetical example) having 10 acres and the crops grown are Teak, Mango, Coconut & Vegetables.  The farm has 2.5 acres allocated to the individual crops.

The Farm has the following design and the crops placement in it are given below.

Please note that the author does not recommend monoculture design and has taken the example for the sake of simplicity.

First 2.5 Acres - Vegetables (followed by)
Next 2.5 Acres - Coconut (followed by)
Next 2.5 Acres - Mango (followed by)
Next 2.5 Acres - Teak

• In the above example, it is easy to carry the Vegetables using some bullock cart or even by a tricycle multiple times.
• Carrying the Coconut is somewhat difficult as the load is heavy and the distance is more and hence we may go for a Tractor based vehicle.
• We may go for Tractor based Vehicle or even Lorries to carry the Mangoes.
• For carrying the Teak after harvest, we cannot use Bullock Cart or Tricycle or Tractor Vehicle.  It may be possible to use Lorries or even better using Truck Trailers is a good option.
• As we can see, there may be different reasons for using different vehicles.  Hence, if we do not have proper roads, it is impossible to carry the goods from the farm to the outside world without much difficulty.

How many Roads are necessary?

• Generally, it is advisable to have 2-3 kinds of roads in your farm.
• The first one is similar to the National Highways which has wider roads and covers only the important routes.
• The second one is similar to the State Highways which has roads big enough but less than the width of the National Highway.
• The third one is similar to the roads we use often in our towns and cities and which is very small.
• The National Highways road can be kept only for the roads from the entrance of the farm to the other end of the farm.
• The State Highways can be used used to cover the boundaries as well as the left and right side of the four parts roads.
• The City Roads can be created in the interior of the Farms by sub-dividing each part of the farm.

How much spacing needs to be provided for Roads?

• Have a good understanding of the goods that needs to be transported.
• Have a good understanding of the biggest vehicles in terms of length and width that needs to do transportation.
• Are you okay to transport the goods multiple times using a smaller vehicle and if this is the case, we can compromise on the vehicle as well as the road size and also on the number of roads. 

Farm Design - Is it REALLY necessary to have Crops Design?

In our Agriculture for Everybody blog series, we will see when Crops Design makes sense and when it does not make sense.  We will be using a very simple example for showcasing when Crops Design makes sense.


When is Crops Design not necessary?

The Crops Design will not be necessary if you go for a mono-crop for the entire farm and hence there is no design requirement (for crops) at all.


When is Crops Design necessary?

The Crops Design is necessary if you go for a diversified crop activity.

Lets take 2 Farms (hypothetical example) each having 10 acres and the crops grown are Teak, Mango, Coconut & Vegetables.  Both the farms has 2.5 acres allocated to the individual crops.

Please note that the author does not recommend monoculture design and has taken the example for the sake of simplicity.

The 1st Farm has the following design and the crops placement in it are given below.

First 2.5 Acres - Teak (followed by)
Next 2.5 Acres - Mango (followed by)
Next 2.5 Acres - Coconut (followed by)
Next 2.5 Acres - Vegetables

The 2nd Farm has the following design and the crops placement in it are given below.

First 2.5 Acres - Vegetables (followed by)
Next 2.5 Acres - Coconut (followed by)
Next 2.5 Acres - Mango (followed by)
Next 2.5 Acres - Teak

We will discuss why the 2nd Farm has a better design than the 1st Farm?

In the 1st Farm, the Crops Design is absurd.

• Because, Teak is a long term crop and should have been placed at the tail end of the farm for the simple reason that we may not need to attend to it daily.
• Similarly, Mango's harvest happens once in a year and we may not need to attend to it on a daily basis.
• Coconut's harvest comes in every 45 days or so and hence we need to attend to it on a regular basis.
• Vegetables harvest comes through the year starting from 15 days for greens and extending upto 2 years as well and hence we need to attend to it on a daily basis.
• Calculate the amount of time wasted for getting to the Vegetable Crops every day if this design is implemented.
• Calculate the amount of load that we have to carry from the Vegetable Crops to the farm entrance.

In the 2nd Farm, the Crops Design is somewhat perfect.

• The Vegetables Crops are at the front and hence any activity is done quickly and it is accessible as it is very near to the entrance of the farm.
• The Coconuts are harvested and transported quickly as the distance to cover is less.
• Same goes for the Mangoes as well.
• The Teak is harvested only after 15-20 years and hence only monitoring is done at regular intervals.

In Conclusion, if we choose the right Crops Design, it will benefit us in the long run and also save us time and money.

 

Farm Design - An Overview

In our Agriculture for Everybody blog series, we will try to understand the basic requirements of the Farm Design and how to approach the detailed design using the basic requirements.

Keeping it very simple, we need to understand the basic requirements of the Farm in the first place and jot them down.  Please note that it is not required that each and every basic requirements needs to be made available immediately.  What we are trying to achieve is to provide the spacing in terms of land parcel and the placing of the requirement in the right place in the farm keeping in mind our overall design.

Please note that all the requirements mentioned below may or may not be required for each and every farm except for the Crops.

1. Crops
2. Fences
3. Roads
4. LiveStock
5. Living Quarters

Once we have decided on the basic requirements, we can create a detailed design using the basic information as the basis.

The following detailed questionnaire will help us to finetune the detailed design.

1. What type of Fencing is required for our farm?
2. How much space needs to be allocated for Fencing?
3. What model are we going to follow in creating the Fences?
4. What type of crops will be grown? (Short Term, Medium Term, Long Term)
5. How many crops will be grown?
6. Where the Crops will be placed in the farm?
7. Whether the Crops spacing will follow Generic Spacing or Specific Spacing?
8. Whether the Crops will be planted Mono Planting or Poly Planting?
9. How many Roads are required?
10. Where the Roads will be constructed?
11. How much space for Roads need to be allocated?
12. Are we planning to have LiveStock?  If Yes, how much space needs to be allocated to them? (Cattle, Poultry etc)
13. Where the LiveStock shed need to be constructed in the farm?
14. Are we planning to have Ponds? If Yes, how much space needs to be allocated to them?
15. Where the Pond needs to be constructed in the farm?
16. Are we planning to have Living Quarters? If Yes, how much space needs to be allocated to them? (Owner Quarters, Labour Quarters, Storage & Drying Quarters, Eco Tourism Quarters etc)
17. Where the Living Quarters shed need to be constructed in the farm?

Manures - Ghana Jeevamrutha

In our Agriculture for Everybody blog series, we are going to see Ghana Jeevamrutha popularised by Subhash Palekar.

Required Ingredients

S.No.	Ingredient Name	Qty in Litres/Kgs
1	Cow Dung	100 Kgs
2	Jaggery	2 Kgs
3	Flour of any Pulse	2 Kgs
4	Soil from same land	1 Handful
5	Cow's Urine	As required

Note:

• If Jaggery is not available, use Palm Jaggery.
• If Jaggery or Palm Jaggery is not available, add 4 Litres of ripened Tender Coconut.
• Use Greengram or Blackgram or CowPea flour.
• Living Soil should be used.

Method of Preparation

1. Mix the first 4 ingredients well and keep adding Cow's urine as required to get a good solid form.
2. Spread the solid form in a shaded place during the day and allow it to dry well.

Method of Storage

1. The manure should be kept in the shade.

How long can we store the Manure?

1. The manure can be stored for longer periods.

How to use the Manure?

1. The solid manure need to be made into a powdery form before mixing it with FYM.
2. Apply the manure in the ratio of 100 Kgs of FYM & 10 Kgs of Ghana Jeevamrutha.

When to use the Manure?

1. The manure can be used frequently.

Manures - Jeevamrutha

In our Agriculture for Everybody blog series, we are going to see Jeevamrutha popularised by Subhash Palekar.  The data provided below is for ONE acre only.


Required Ingredients

S.No.	Ingredient Name	Qty in Litres/Kgs
1	Water	200 Litres
2	Fresh Cow Dung	10 Kgs
3	Cow's Urine	5-10 Litres
4	Jaggery	2 Kgs
5	Flour of any Pulse	2 Kgs
6	Soil from same land	1 Handful

Note:

• If Jaggery is not available, use Palm Jaggery.
• If Jaggery or Palm Jaggery is not available, add 4 Litres of ripened Tender Coconut.
• Use Greengram or Blackgram or CowPea flour.
• Living Soil should be used.
• Please note that the stick (neem stick is better or any pole) used for mixing the ingredients should be cleaned before & after the usage so as to avoid maggots formations in the manure.

Method of Preparation

1. Mix all of them and keep them in a shaded place for 48 hours.

Method of Storage

1. The manure should be kept in the shade and covered with a wire mesh or plastic mosquito net to prevent houseflies from laying eggs and the formation of maggots (worms) in the solution. This is applicable during the preparation as well as during the shelf life of the manure as well.

How long can we store the Manure?

1. The manure can be stored for only 1 week due to unbearable overpowering stench.

How to use the Manure?

1. The manure can be mixed with irrigation water.
2. The manure can also be used with Drip Irrigation.
3. Also, can spray 10% filtered manure on the crops.

When to use the Manure?

1. The manure should be mixed thoroughly twice daily (in the morning & evening) for 2 days before usage
2. The manure should be applied when the land is wet for the plants.
3. Generally, it is accepted that every 15 days the manure can be applied.
4. For even better results, the manure can also be used thrice in a month.
 

Vegetables Crops - A Data Oriented Complete Guide - WorkInProgress

In our Agriculture for Everybody blog series, we are going to see a Data Oriented Complete Guide to Vegetables Crops.


The first table (Parameters Template) will contain the parameters filter while the second table (Detailed Template) will contain more details about the crop.

Note: Request readers to help update the parameters of the crops and let me know of any other parameters.

Parameters Template

S.No.	Common Name	ST / MT / LT (age)	SSH / MSH	SH / MH	SC (%)
1	Amaranth	கீரை வகைகள்	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
2	Annual Moringa	செடி முருங்கை	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
3	Ash Gourd	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
4	Asparagus	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
5	Babycorn	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
6	Basella	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
7	Beetroot	பீட்ருட்	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
8	Bellary Onion	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
9	Bhendi	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
10	Bitter Gourd	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
11	Bottle Gourd	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
12	Bread Fruit	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
13	Brinjal	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
14	Broadbeans	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
15	Brussels Sprout	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
16	Butter Bean	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
17	Cabbage	முட்டைக்கோசு	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
17A	Cabbage	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
18	Carrot	கேரட்	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
19	Cauliflower	காலிஃபிளவர்	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
20	Celery	செலரி	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
21	Ceylon Spinach	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
22	Chakravathi Keerai	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
23	Chekurmanis	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
24	Chillies	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
25	Chinese Cabbage	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
26	Chow Chow	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
27	Cluster Beans	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
28	Coccinia	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
29	Coleus	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
30	Colocasia	சிறுகிழங்கு	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
31	Cucumber	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
32	Curry Leaf	கருவேப்பிலை	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
33	Dioscorea	கருணைக்கிழங்கு	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
34	Elephant Foot Yam	சேனைக்கிழங்கு	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
35	French Bean	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
36	Gherkin	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
37	Knol-khol	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
38	Lab lab	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
39	Lettuce	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
40	Mint	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
41	Onion	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
42	Palak	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
43	Paprika	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
44	Peas	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
45	Potato	உருளைக் கிழங்கு	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
46	Pumpkin	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
47	Radish	முள்ளங்கி	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
48	Rhubarb	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
49	Ribbed Gourd	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
50	Small Onion	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
51	Snake Gourd	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
52	Sweet Potato	சர்க்கரைவள்ளிக்கிழங்கு	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
53	Tapioca	மரவள்ளிக்கிழங்கு	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
54	Tinda	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
55	Tomato	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
56	Turnip	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
57	Vegetable Cowpea	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
58	Watermelon	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
59	Winged Bean	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5

Notes:

• ST/MT/LT (age) stands for Short Term Crops(ST), Medium Term Crops(MT), Long Term Crops(LT), (age) stands for the economical lifetime of the crops
• SSH/MSH stands for Single Season Harvest Crops(SSH), Multiple Season Harvest Crops (MSH)
• SH/MH stands for Single Harvest(SH), Multiple Harvest(MH)
• SC (%) stands for Shade Crops. This will help us to grow shade crops once the main crops are grown. (%) stands for percentage of shade required
• Anything that starts with WIP* means Work In Progress. The same will be updated in a future date once the information is available

Detailed Template


The Detailed Template provides the data the farmer is looking for quick decision making.

• Soil Type - Provides the Vegetable Crop information based on the Soil Type
• Water Requirement - Provides the information on the amount of water required for the specific Vegetable Crop
• Best Season - Provides the information on the Best Season to grow the specific Vegetable Crop
• Crop Longevity - Provides the information on the Crop Age of the Vegetable Crop
• Type of Vegetables - Provides the information on the Vegetable Crop that needs Pandals or Trellis as well as the Type of Vegetable

 

S.No.	Common Name	Tamil Name	Botanical Name	Family Name	Spacing(Rows X Plants) (Cms / Inches / Fts)	Seed Rate (Varieties / Hybrids)	Seed Sowing Depth	Gestation Period (Yrs)	Avg Yield/Crop(Nos/Kgs/Tonnes)	B	C	D
1	Amaranth	கீரை வகைகள்	Amaranthus sp L	Amaranthaceae	WIP4	V:300-350 g/ha                   H:100-150 g/ha	WIP6	WIP7	WIP8	WIP9	WIP10	WIP11
2	Annual Moringa	செடி முருங்கை	Moringa oleifera L	Moringaceae	WIP4	WIP5	WIP6	WIP7	WIP8	WIP9	WIP10	WIP11
3	Ash Gourd	சாம்பல் பூசணி	Benincasa hispida Cogn	Cucurbitaceae	WIP4	WIP5	WIP6	WIP7	WIP8	WIP9	WIP10	WIP11
4	Asparagus	அஸ்பிரகஸ்	Asparagus officinalis var.altilis	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5	WIP6	WIP7	WIP8	WIP9	WIP10	WIP11
5	Basella	பேசல்லா	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5	WIP6	WIP7	WIP8	WIP9	WIP10	WIP11
6	Beetroot	பீட்ருட்	Beta vulgaris L	Chenopodiaceae	WIP4	WIP5	WIP6	WIP7	WIP8	WIP9	WIP10	WIP11
7	Bellary Onion	பெல்லாரி வெங்காயம்	Allium cepa var. cepa	Alliaceae	WIP4	WIP5	WIP6	WIP7	WIP8	WIP9	WIP10	WIP11
8	Bhendi	வெண்டை	Abelmoschus esculentus (L) Moench	Malvaceae	R:45 C P:30 C	V:8.0 kg/ha H:2.5 kg/ha	0.5 I	WIP7	WIP8	WIP9	WIP10	WIP11
9	Bitter Gourd	பாகற்காய்	Momordica charantia L	Cucurbitaceae	WIP4	WIP5	WIP6	WIP7	WIP8	WIP9	WIP10	WIP11
10	Bottle Gourd	சுரைக்காய்	Lagenaria siceraria (Mol) Standl	Cucurbitaceae	WIP4	WIP5	WIP6	WIP7	WIP8	WIP9	WIP10	WIP11
11	Bread Fruit	கறிப்பலா	Artocarpus altilis	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5	WIP6	WIP7	WIP8	WIP9	WIP10	WIP11
12	Brinjal	கத்தரி	Solanum melongena L	Solanaceae	WIP4	WIP5	WIP6	WIP7	WIP8	WIP9	WIP10	WIP11
13	Broadbeans	பிராட் பீன்ஸ்	Vicia faba L	Fabaceae	WIP4	WIP5	WIP6	WIP7	WIP8	WIP9	WIP10	WIP11
14	Brussels Sprout	புரசல் ஸ்பிரவுட்	Brassica oleracea var. Gemmifera	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5	WIP6	WIP7	WIP8	WIP9	WIP10	WIP11
15	Butter Bean	பயிர் பீன்ஸ்	Phaseolus lunatus	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5	WIP6	WIP7	WIP8	WIP9	WIP10	WIP11
16	Cabbage	முட்டைக்கோசு	Brassica oleracea var. capitata	Brassicaceae	WIP4	WIP5	WIP6	WIP7	WIP8	WIP9	WIP10	WIP11
17	Capsicum	குடை மிளகாய்	Capsicum annuum	Solanaceae	WIP4	WIP5	WIP6	WIP7	WIP8	WIP9	WIP10	WIP11
18	Carrot	கேரட்	Daucus carota L	Umbelliferae	WIP4	WIP5	WIP6	WIP7	WIP8	WIP9	WIP10	WIP11
19	Cauliflower	காலிஃபிளவர்	Brassica oleracea var. botrytis	Brassicaceae	WIP4	WIP5	WIP6	WIP7	WIP8	WIP9	WIP10	WIP11
20	Celery	செலரி	Apium graveolens	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5	WIP6	WIP7	WIP8	WIP9	WIP10	WIP11
21	Ceylon Spinach	ஸ்பினாச்	Talinum triangulare	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5	WIP6	WIP7	WIP8	WIP9	WIP10	WIP11
22	Chakravathi Keerai	சக்ரவர்த்தி கீரை	Chenopodium album	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5	WIP6	WIP7	WIP8	WIP9	WIP10	WIP11
23	Chekurmanis	செக்குர் மணிக்கீரை	Sauropus androgynus	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5	WIP6	WIP7	WIP8	WIP9	WIP10	WIP11
24	Chillies	மிளகாய்	Capsicum annuum L	Solanaceae	WIP4	WIP5	WIP6	WIP7	WIP8	WIP9	WIP10	WIP11
25	Chinese Cabbage	சைனிஸ் முட்டை கோஸ்	Brassica pekinensis	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5	WIP6	WIP7	WIP8	WIP9	WIP10	WIP11
26	Chinese Potato	சீன உருளைக்கிழங்கு	Coleus parviflorus L	Labiatae	WIP4	WIP5	WIP6	WIP7	WIP8	WIP9	WIP10	WIP11
27	Chow Chow	செளசெள	Sechium edule	Cucurbitaceae	WIP4	WIP5	WIP6	WIP7	WIP8	WIP9	WIP10	WIP11
28	Cluster Beans	கொத்தவரை	Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L	Fabaceae	WIP4	WIP5	WIP6	WIP7	WIP8	WIP9	WIP10	WIP11
29	Coccinia	கோவைக் காய்	Coccinia indica	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5	WIP6	WIP7	WIP8	WIP9	WIP10	WIP11
30	Colocasia	சிறுகிழங்கு	Colocasia esculenta L. Scott	Araceae	WIP4	WIP5	WIP6	WIP7	WIP8	WIP9	WIP10	WIP11
31	Cucumber	வெள்ளரி	Cucumis sativus L	Cucurbitaceae	WIP4	WIP5	WIP6	WIP7	WIP8	WIP9	WIP10	WIP11
32	Curry Leaf	கருவேப்பிலை	Murraya koenigii Linn. Sprengal	Rutaceae	WIP4	WIP5	WIP6	WIP7	WIP8	WIP9	WIP10	WIP11
33	Dioscorea	கருணைக்கிழங்கு	Dioscorea alata L. & Dioscorea esculenta L	Dioscoreaceae	WIP4	WIP5	WIP6	WIP7	WIP8	WIP9	WIP10	WIP11
34	Elephant Foot Yam	சேனைக்கிழங்கு	Amorphophallus companulatus Blume	Araceae	WIP4	WIP5	WIP6	WIP7	WIP8	WIP9	WIP10	WIP11
35	French Bean	ப்ரெஞ்சு அவரை வகைகள்	Phaseolus vulgaris  L	Fabaceae	WIP4	WIP5	WIP6	WIP7	WIP8	WIP9	WIP10	WIP11
36	Gherkin	ஜெர்கின்	Cucumis sativus var. angaria	Cucurbitaceae	WIP4	WIP5	WIP6	WIP7	WIP8	WIP9	WIP10	WIP11
37	Knol-khol	நூல்கோல்	Brassica caulorapa	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5	WIP6	WIP7	WIP8	WIP9	WIP10	WIP11
38	Lab lab	அவரை	Lab lab purpureus var. typicus	Fabaceae	WIP4	WIP5	WIP6	WIP7	WIP8	WIP9	WIP10	WIP11
39	Lettuce	லெட்டூஸ்	Lactuca sativa	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5	WIP6	WIP7	WIP8	WIP9	WIP10	WIP11
40	Mint	பெதினா	Mentha virides	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5	WIP6	WIP7	WIP8	WIP9	WIP10	WIP11
41	Muskmelon	முலாம் பழம்	Cucumis melo L	Cucurbitaceae	WIP4	WIP5	WIP6	WIP7	WIP8	WIP9	WIP10	WIP11
42	Palak	பாலக்கீரை	Beta vulgaris var. Bengalensis	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5	WIP6	WIP7	WIP8	WIP9	WIP10	WIP11
43	Paprika	பஜ்ஜி மிளகாய்	Capsicum annum var. longum	Solanaceae	WIP4	WIP5	WIP6	WIP7	WIP8	WIP9	WIP10	WIP11
44	Peas	பட்டாணி	Pisum sativum L	Fabaceae	WIP4	WIP5	WIP6	WIP7	WIP8	WIP9	WIP10	WIP11
45	Potato	உருளைக் கிழங்கு	Solanum tuberosum L	Solanaceae	WIP4	WIP5	WIP6	WIP7	WIP8	WIP9	WIP10	WIP11
46	Pumpkin	பரங்கிக்காய்	Cucurbita moschata Poir	Cucurbitaceae	WIP4	WIP5	WIP6	WIP7	WIP8	WIP9	WIP10	WIP11
47	Radish	முள்ளங்கி	Raphanus sativus L	Brassicaceae	WIP4	WIP5	WIP6	WIP7	WIP8	WIP9	WIP10	WIP11
48	Rhubarb	ருபார்ப்	Rheum rhaponticum	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5	WIP6	WIP7	WIP8	WIP9	WIP10	WIP11
49	Ribbed Gourd	பீர்க்கன்	Luffa acutangula Roxb	Cucurbitaceae	WIP4	WIP5	WIP6	WIP7	WIP8	WIP9	WIP10	WIP11
50	Small Onion	சின்னவெங்காயம்	Allium cepa var. aggregatum	Alliaceae	WIP4	WIP5	WIP6	WIP7	WIP8	WIP9	WIP10	WIP11
51	Snake Gourd	புடலைக்காய்	Trichosanthes cucumerina. L	Cucurbitaceae	WIP4	WIP5	WIP6	WIP7	WIP8	WIP9	WIP10	WIP11
52	Sweet Potato	சர்க்கரைவள்ளிக்கிழங்கு	Ipomoea batatas (L) Lam	Convolvulaceae	WIP4	WIP5	WIP6	WIP7	WIP8	WIP9	WIP10	WIP11
53	Tapioca	மரவள்ளிக்கிழங்கு	Manihot esculenta Crantz	Euphorbiaceae	WIP4	WIP5	WIP6	WIP7	WIP8	WIP9	WIP10	WIP11
54	Tinda	டின்டா	Citrullus vulgaris Schrad var. fistulousus	Cucurbitaceae	WIP4	WIP5	WIP6	WIP7	WIP8	WIP9	WIP10	WIP11
55	Tomato	தக்காளி	Lycopersicon esculentum Mill	Solanaceae	P:24 I	V:300-350 g/ha                   H:100-150 g/ha	0.25 Inches	0	V:30-40 t/ha                   H:80-95 t/ha	WIP9	WIP10	WIP11
56	Turnip	டர்னிப்	Brassica rapa	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5	WIP6	WIP7	WIP8	WIP9	WIP10	WIP11
57	Vegetable Cowpea	காய்கறி தட்டைப்பயிறு	Vigna unguiculata (L) Walp	Fabaceae	WIP4	WIP5	WIP6	WIP7	WIP8	WIP9	WIP10	WIP11
58	Watermelon	தர்பூசணி	Citrullus lanatus (Thumb) Matsum and Nakai	Cucurbitaceae	WIP4	WIP5	WIP6	WIP7	WIP8	WIP9	WIP10	WIP11
59	Winged Bean	விங்கிடு பீன்ஸ்	Psophocarpus tetragonalobus	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5	WIP6	WIP7	WIP8	WIP9	WIP10	WIP11

Notes:

• Soil Types are
1. Red Soils
2. Black Soil
3. Laterite Soils
4. Coastal Soils
• Spacing provided here is for the normally accepted standard spacing only
• Water Per Crop is the accepted water requirements. The template may be modified to accomodate water requirements for each year as well in future
• Avg Yield Per Crop can be in Numbers, Kgs/Tonnes.  This can be expanded to accomodate Avg Yld Per Crop based on the age of the crop as well in future
• Last Market Rate is the price that the market has given to the crop
• Anything that starts with WIP* means Work In Progress. The same will be updated in a future date once the information is available

Water Irrigation Methods

In our Agriculture for Everybody blog series, we will cover the water irrigation methods generally followed in and around the country.  Only the important methods are covered here.

• Flood Irrigation
• This is the traditional method that is being used even today in most parts of our country
• This is the cheapest method in terms of cost and maintenance is very less
• The water loss is very high in this method
• This method is suitable for Paddy, Wheat etc

• Furrow Irrigation
• This is another traditional method that is being used even today
• This method is cheaper as well as easy to maintain
• The water loss is somewhat average in this method
• This method is suited for row crops or tree crops
• This method is suitable for Coconut, Mango, Sugarcane, Vegetables etc

• Pot Irrigation
• This method is generally used in areas where the waterfall is very less and hence recommended for dryland agriculture
• This involves filling up the pot every week or so and hence is a tedious work
• No or minimal water loss due to evaporation / heat
• Cost is negligible
• This method is suitable for Tree based crops

• Drip Irrigation
• This is the newly introduced method mainly for the purpose of reducing/saving the water to a greater extent
• This method needs infrastructure and materials (like pvc pipes etc) and hence the cost is higher
• This method requires maintenance at regular intervals and there is a nominal cost associated with it
• This method requires power for the water to be pumped across
• Very less water loss due to evaporation
• This method is suitable for Tree based crops as well as for Vegetables

• Sprinkler Irrigation
• This is also newly introduced method and is a better alternative than flood irrigation for certain crops
• This method needs infrastructure and materials (like pvc pipes etc) and hence the cost is higher but less than that of Drip Irrigation
• Little more of water loss is associated with this method
• This method requires power for the water to be pumped across
• This method is generally used for Vegetable based crops or even can be used for growing crops like Maize, Grasses etc where the requirement of water is minimal

• RainGun Irrigation - This method is similar to Sprinkler Irrigation except the coverage and reach of the water

Internal Water Sources - An Analysis

In our last blog, we have covered the difference between Internal Water Sources and External Water Sources.

In our Agriculture for Everybody blog series, we will do a deeper analysis and understand the different Internal Water Sources and their advantages and disavantages.


Borewells

Advantages	Disadvantages
1. Occupies very less space 2. Digging of borewell is quite fast 3. No evaporation of water at all	1. Need power for lifting water 2. Identifying the water point is not fool proof 3. How much water available cannot be established?

Open Wells

Advantages	Disadvantages
1. Occupies a little more space 2. Takes more time to dig an Open Well 3. Can measure the amount of water available and plan crops accordingly 4. Can be utilized to store water harvested 5. Recharge of groundwater happens automatically 6. Water can also be lifted by mechanical power	1. Need power for lifting water 2. Little bit of evaporation takes place 3. Mosquito menace can be a problem for humans and livestock

Calculating Water Holding Capacity of an Open Well

Volume of Pond in Litres = 3.142 X Diameter/2 X Diameter/2 X Average Depth X 1000

For eg., a pond with 2.5 metres diameter and 5 metres avg depth will have

3.142 X 2.5/2 X 2.5/2 X depth X 1000 = 24547 Litres


Ponds

1. Allocate 10% of the farmland for ponds if you wish to utilize the pond for growing fish and have only 3 to 5 feet of water for better maintenance
2. Allocate atleast 1% of the farmland for ponds if you need just water and increase the depth of the pond according to your needs
3. Confirm whether the water will be held in the pond without too much seeping
4. Identify the lowest point of the farm where the water rushes to during rain and create the pond there for easy collection of water and better maintenance

Advantages	Disadvantages
1. Occupies a huge space 2. Takes a little more time to do construction of the pond 3. Can measure the amount of water available and plan crops accordingly 4. Can utilize the pond for growing fish, ducks etc 5. Can be utilized to store water harvested 6. Recharge of groundwater happens automatically 7. Water can also be lifted by mechanical power	1. Need power for lifting water 2. More evaporation takes place 3. Filling of pond takes time 4. Mosquito menace can be a problem for humans and livestock

Calculating Water Holding Capacity of a Pond

Square or Rectangular Pond

Volume of Pond in Litres = Length (in metres) x Width (in metres) x Average Depth (in metres) x 1000

For eg., a pond with 25 metres length and 10 metres width and 5 metres depth will have

25 m (Length) X 15 m (Width) X 5 m (Avg Depth) X 1000 = 1875000 Litres


Round Pond

Volume of Pond in Litres = 3.142 X Diameter/2 X Diameter/2 X Average Depth X 1000

For eg., a pond with 2.5 metres diameter and 5 metres avg depth will have

3.142 X 2.5/2 X 2.5/2 X depth X 1000 = 24547 Litres
 

Water Sources

We all know Water is a very important requirement for farming activities.  In our Agriculture for Everybody blog series, we will understand the various sources from where we can get the water for our crops.

We can classify the Water Sources into two as below.

1. Internal Water Source
2. External Water Source

Internal Water Source

Internal Water Sources are those that are available within our farms.  We have some limited control on these water sources.

Generally, the Internal Water Sources are created by us and some of them are given below.

• Borewells
• Open Wells
• Ponds

I mentioned limited control in the previous paragraph, just to highlight the point, that the water in these sources can become dry if other farms in the area exploit the underground water indiscriminately by using borewells.


External Water Source

Any water source that is outside of our farm are considered External Water Source.  We have literally no control on these water sources.

Some examples of External Water Sources are

• Common Wells / Ponds
• Streams
• Springs
• Canals
• Lakes
• Rivers

If External Water Source need to be utilized, we may have to get permission from the concerned authorities.  External Water Sources need to be used co-operatively and any naturally occuring water source is the best option as these will replenish by themselves.

Manures - Panchakavya Plus

In our Agriculture for Everybody blog series, we will see the extension of Panchakavya namely Panchakavya Plus or Panchagavya Plus.


Required Ingredients

S.No.	Ingredient Name	Qty in Litres/Kgs/Nos
1	Fresh Cow Dung	5 Kgs
2	Cow's Urine	3 Litres
3	Cow's Milk	2 Litres
4	Cow's Curd	2 Litres
5	Cow's Ghee	0.5 Kg
6	Sugarcane Juice	3 Litres
7	Tender Coconut Water	3 Litres
8	Banana (Ripe)	12 Nos
9	Toddy (or) Grape Juice	3 Litres

Note:

• If Sugarcane Juice is not available, add 500 grams of Jaggery dissolved in 3 litres of water.
• If Toddy is not available, add 100 grams of Yeast powder and 100 grams of Jaggery to 2 litres of warm water and add this solution to the manure after 30 minutes.
• If Toddy is not available, take 2 litres of Tender Coconut Water and keep it in a closed plastic container for 10 days and this becomes toddy.
• Where possible, Poovanan Banana should be used.

Method of Preparation

1. Non-Metallic Container should be used for preparing the manure.
2. The fresh cow dung and cow’s ghee has to be placed in the container and they need to be mixed thoroughly twice daily (in the morning & evening) for 3 days.
3. On the fourth day, add the rest of the ingredients and stir it twice daily (in the morning & evening) for 15 days.

Note:

• The manure will be ready after the 18th day.
• Please note that the stick (neem stick is better or any pole) used for mixing the ingredients should be cleaned before & after the usage so as to avoid maggots formations in the manure.

Method of Storage

1. The manure should be mixed thoroughly twice daily (in the morning & evening).
2. The manure should be kept in the shade and covered with a wire mesh or plastic mosquito net to prevent houseflies from laying eggs and the formation of maggots (worms) in the solution. This is applicable during the preparation as well as during the shelf life of the manure as well.

How long can we store the Manure?

1. The manure can be stored for 6 months time.

How to use the Manure?

1. Spray System - Three litres of manure to every 100 litres of water is ideal for all crops. The power sprayer of 10 litres capacity may need 300ml of manure per tank. After dilution the manure solution has to be filtered before using it for spraying.
2. Flow System - The solution of manure can be mixed with irrigation water at 20 litres/acre, either through drip irrigation or flow irrigation.

When to use the Manure?

1. Generally, it is accepted that every 15 days, 2 sprays need to be used.
2. During the Flowering and Pod setting stage, 2 sprays need to be used once in 10 days.
3. During the Flowering/Pod maturation stage, it need to be used once only.

Manures - Panchakavya

In our Agriculture for Everybody blog series, we are going to see Panchakavya.


From this blog onwards, we will be covering all the manures which are part of Organic Farming. 

As a first step, we will fix the format for the users of this blog.  You will see the same format being repeated for every manure that we are going to cover from this point onwards.  Anything that has not been filled under the topic, means the data is not available currently and will be filled in once the data is available.

The term manure will be used generically and it will refer to the manure in the topic unless explicitly mentioned .

In this blog, we are going to see a very important manure namely Panchakavya or Panchagavya. 


Required Ingredients

S.No.	Ingredient Name	Qty in Litres/Kgs
1	Fresh Cow Dung	5 Kgs
2	Cow's Urine	3 Litres
3	Cow's Milk	2 Litres
4	Cow's Curd	2 Litres
5	Cow's Ghee	0.5 Kg

Method of Preparation

1. Non-Metallic Container should be used for preparing the manure.
2. The fresh cow dung and cow’s ghee has to be placed in the container and they need to be mixed thoroughly twice daily (in the morning & evening) for 3 days.
3. On the fourth day, add the rest of the ingredients and stir it twice daily (in the morning & evening) for 15 days.

Note:

• The manure will be ready after the 18th day.
• Please note that the stick (neem stick is better or any pole) used for mixing the ingredients should be cleaned before & after the usage so as to avoid maggots formations in the manure.

Method of Storage

1. The manure should be mixed thoroughly twice daily (in the morning & evening).
2. The manure should be kept in the shade and covered with a wire mesh or plastic mosquito net to prevent houseflies from laying eggs and the formation of maggots (worms) in the solution.  This is applicable during the preparation as well as during the shelf life of the manure as well.

How long can we store the Manure?

1. The manure can be stored for 6 months time.

How to use the Manure?

1. Spray System - Three litres of manure to every 100 litres of water is ideal for all crops. The power sprayer of 10 litres capacity may need 300ml of manure per tank. After dilution the manure solution has to be filtered before using it for spraying.
2. Flow System - The solution of manure can be mixed with irrigation water at 20 litres/acre, either through drip irrigation or flow irrigation.

When to use the Manure?

1. Generally, it is accepted that every 15 days, 2 sprays need to be used.
2. During the Flowering and Pod setting stage, 2 sprays need to be used once in 10 days.
3. During the Flowering/Pod maturation stage, it need to be used once only.

 

Parameters For Crops - A Data Oriented Complete Guide - Work in Progres

In our Agriculture for Everybody blog series, we are going to see a Data Oriented Complete Guide for Parameters in Crops.


We have introduced many parameters (criteria or filter) in the previous blogs.  Some of the parameters were introduced as the very basis for selecting the crops while some of them were introduced as information.  While some of the parameters many not be even covered by the blog, but may be important as well.

To consolidate the information covered and to provide the parameters as a data, I have compiled this template as a starting point for farmers to filter the crops based on their needs.

Note: Request readers to help update the parameters of the crops and let me know of any other parameters.
 

S.No.	Common Name	Category	ST / MT / LT (age)	SSH / MSH	SH / MH	SC (%)
1	Rice	Cereals	ST (60-180 days)	SSH	SH	N
2	Wheat	Cereals	ST (120-150 days)	SSH	SH	N
3	Cumbu	Millets	ST (105-140 days)	SSH	SH	N
4	Maize	Millets	ST (120-160 days)	SSH	SH	N
5	Panivaragu	Millets	ST (105-140 days)	SSH	SH	N
6	Ragi	Millets	ST (105-140 days)	SSH	SH	N
7	Samai	Millets	ST (105-140 days)	SSH	SH	N
8	Sorghum	Millets	ST (120-130 days)	SSH	SH	N
9	Tenai	Millets	ST	SSH	SH	N
10	Varagu	Millets	ST	SSH	SH	N
11	Bengalgram	Pulses	ST	SSH	SH	N
12	Blackgram	Pulses	ST	SSH	SH	N
13	Cowpea	Pulses	ST	SSH	SH	N
14	Garden lablab	Pulses	ST	SSH	SH	N
15	Greengram	Pulses	ST	SSH	SH	N
16	Horsegram	Pulses	ST	SSH	SH	N
17	Redgram	Pulses	ST	SSH	SH	N
18	Soybean	Pulses	ST (135-150 days)	SSH	SH	N
19	Castor	Oilseeds	ST	WIP3	WIP4	N
20	Coconut	Oilseeds	LT	MSH	MH	N
21	Gingelly	Oilseeds	ST	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
22	Groundnut	Oilseeds	ST (130-140 days)	SSH	SH	N
23	Niger	Oilseeds	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
24	Oilpalm	Oilseeds	LT	MSH	MH	N
25	Safflower	Oilseeds	ST	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
26	Sunflower	Oilseeds	ST (125-130 days)	SSH	SH	N
27	Agave	Fibre	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
28	Cotton	Fibre	ST (180-195 days)	WIP3	WIP4	N
29	Jute	Fibre	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
30	Sugarcane	Sugar	ST (270-365 days)	SSH	SH	N
31	Sweet Sorghum	Sugar	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
32	Sugarbeet	Sugar	ST (160-230 days)	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
33	Cumbu Napier	Forages	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
34	Fodder Cholam	Forages	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
35	Fodder Cowpea	Forages	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
36	Fodder Cumbu	Forages	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
37	Fodder Maize	Forages	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
38	Guinea Grass	Forages	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
39	Kolukattai Pullu	Forages	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
40	Kudirai Masal	Forages	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
41	Muyal Masal	Forages	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
42	Soundal	Forages	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
43	Subabul	Forages	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
44	Acidlime	Fruits	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
45	Amla	Fruits	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
46	Annona	Fruits	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
47	Apple	Fruits	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
48	Apricot	Fruits	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
49	Avocado	Fruits	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
50	Banana	Fruits	ST (300-365 days)	SSH	SH	N
51	Ber	Fruits	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
52	Bilimbi	Fruits	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
53	Bread Fruit	Fruits	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
54	Carambola	Fruits	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
55	Durian	Fruits	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
56	Egg Fruit	Fruits	ST (130-140 days)	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
57	Fig	Fruits	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
58	Grapes	Fruits	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
59	Guava	Fruits	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
60	Jack	Fruits	LT	MSH	MH	N
61	Karonda	Fruits	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
62	Kiwi	Fruits	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
63	Lemon	Fruits	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
64	Litchi	Fruits	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
65	Loquat	Fruits	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
66	Mandarin Orange	Fruits	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
67	Mango	Fruits	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
68	Mangosteen	Fruits	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
69	Mulberry	Fruits	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
70	Papaya	Fruits	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
71	Passion Fruit	Fruits	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
72	Peach	Fruits	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
73	Pear	Fruits	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
74	Persimmon	Fruits	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
75	Phalsa	Fruits	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
76	Pineapple	Fruits	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	Y
77	Plum	Fruits	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
78	Pomegranate	Fruits	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
79	Rambutan	Fruits	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
80	Sapota	Fruits	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
81	Strawberry	Fruits	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
82	Sweet Orange	Fruits	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
83	West Indian Cherry	Fruits	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
84	Amaranth	Vegetables	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
85	Annual Moringa	Vegetables	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
86	Ash Gourd	Vegetables	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
87	Asparagus	Vegetables	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
88	Babycorn	Vegetables	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
89	Basella	Vegetables	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
90	Beetroot	Vegetables	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
91	Bellary Onion	Vegetables	ST (130-175 days)	SSH	SH	N
92	Bhendi	Vegetables	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
93	Bitter Gourd	Vegetables	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
94	Bottle Gourd	Vegetables	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
95	Bread Fruit	Vegetables	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
96	Brinjal	Vegetables	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
97	Broadbeans	Vegetables	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
98	Brussels Sprout	Vegetables	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
99	Butter Bean	Vegetables	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
100	Cabbage	Vegetables	ST (120-140 days)	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
101	Carrot	Vegetables	ST (100-150 days)	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
102	Cauliflower	Vegetables	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
103	Celery	Vegetables	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
104	Ceylon Spinach	Vegetables	ST (60-100 days)	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
105	Chakravathi Keerai	Vegetables	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
106	Chekurmanis	Vegetables	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
107	Chillies	Vegetables	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
108	Chinese Cabbage	Vegetables	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
109	Chow Chow	Vegetables	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
110	Cluster Beans	Vegetables	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
111	Coccinia	Vegetables	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
112	Coleus	Vegetables	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
113	Colocasia	Vegetables	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
114	Cucumber	Vegetables	ST (105-130 days)	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
115	Curry Leaf	Vegetables	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
116	Dioscorea	Vegetables	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
117	Elephant Foot Yam	Vegetables	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
118	French Bean	Vegetables	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
119	Gherkin	Vegetables	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
120	Knol-khol	Vegetables	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
121	Lab lab	Vegetables	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
122	Lettuce	Vegetables	ST (75-140 days)	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
123	Mint	Vegetables	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
124	Onion	Vegetables	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
125	Palak	Vegetables	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
126	Paprika	Vegetables	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
127	Peas	Vegetables	ST (90-100 days)	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
128	Potato	Vegetables	ST (105-145 days)	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
129	Pumpkin	Vegetables	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
130	Radish	Vegetables	ST (35-45 days)	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
131	Rhubarb	Vegetables	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
132	Ribbed Gourd	Vegetables	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
133	Small Onion	Vegetables	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
134	Snake Gourd	Vegetables	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
135	Sweet Potato	Vegetables	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
136	Tapioca	Vegetables	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
137	Tinda	Vegetables	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
138	Tomato	Vegetables	ST (90-150 days)	SSH	MH	N
139	Turnip	Vegetables	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
140	Vegetable Cowpea	Vegetables	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
141	Watermelon	Vegetables	ST (80-110 days)	SSH	SH	N
142	Winged Bean	Vegetables	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
143	Allspice	Spices	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
144	Cardamom	Spices	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
145	Cinnamon	Spices	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
146	Clove	Spices	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
147	Coriander	Spices	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
148	Fennel	Spices	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
149	Fenugreek	Spices	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
150	Garlic	Spices	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
151	Ginger	Spices	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
152	Mustard	Spices	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
153	Nutmeg	Spices	WIP2	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
154	Pepper	Spices	ST (120-210 days)	WIP3	WIP4	WIP5
155	Tamarind	Spices	LT	MSH	MH	N
156	Turmeric	Spices	ST	SSH	SH	N
157	Arecanut	Plantations	LT (40-60 Yrs)	MSH	MH	N
158	Betelvine	Plantations	WIP2	MSH	MH	WIP5
159	Cashewnut	Plantations	LT	MSH	MH	N
160	Cocoa	Plantations	LT	MSH	MH	Y
161	Coconut	Plantations	LT (60-90 Years	MSH	MH	N
162	Coffee	Plantations	LT (50-70 Years)	MSH	MH	Y
163	Oilpalm	Plantations	LT (25 Years)	MSH	MH	N
164	Rubber	Plantations	LT (32 Years)	MSH	MH	N
165	Tea	Plantations	LT (50 Years	MSH	MH	Y

Notes:

• ST/MT/LT (age) stands for Short Term Crops(ST), Medium Term Crops(MT), Long Term Crops(LT), (age) stands for the economical lifetime of the crops
• SSH/MSH stands for Single Season Harvest Crops(SSH),  Multiple Season Harvest Crops (MSH)
• SH/MH stands for Single Harvest(SH), Multiple Harvest(MH)
• SC (%) stands for Shade Crops.  This will help us to grow shade crops once the main crops are grown. (%) stands for percentage of shade required
• Anything that starts with WIP* means Work In Progress. The same will be updated in a future date once the information is available

• I have NOT considered Food Crops v/s Cash Crops, Localized, Naturalized v/s Exotic Crops, Import v/s Export Crops, Shelf Life Crops etc