Vegetable Sowing Chart for Tamilnadu

As part of our Agriculture for Everybody blog series,  we are going to see Vegetable Sowing Chart for Tamilnadu.

• The chart below is for the best season.
• The chart below is for Plains and NOT for Hills.
• The chart below is for irrigated lands and NOT for Rainfed lands.

Crop Name	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Amaranth	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y
Annual Moringa							Y	Y	Y	Y
Ash Gourd	Y						Y
Asparagus
Babycorn	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y
Basella
Beetroot							Y	Y
Bellary Onion					Y	Y
Bhendi		Y				Y	Y	Y
Bitter Gourd	Y						Y
Bottle Gourd	Y						Y
Brinjal	Y				Y	Y						Y
Broadbeans							Y	Y			Y	Y
Brussels Sprout
Butter Bean
Cabbage								Y	Y	Y	Y
Capsicum	Y	Y							Y	Y	Y	Y
Carrot								Y
Cauliflower	Y	Y							Y	Y	Y	Y
Celery		Y	Y	Y	Y	Y		Y	Y	Y	Y	Y
Ceylon Spinach
Chakravathi Keerai
Chekurmanis
Chickpea										Y	Y
Chillies	Y	Y				Y	Y		Y	Y
Chinese Cabbage
Chinese Potato			Y	Y
Chow chow				Y	Y
Cluster Beans						Y	Y			Y	Y
Coccinia
Colocasia		Y	Y			Y	Y
Cucumber	Y	Y	Y	Y		Y
Curry Leaf							Y	Y
Dioscorea					Y	Y
Elephant Foot Yam				Y	Y
French Bean										Y	Y
Gherkin						Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y
Knol-khol
Lablab	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y
Lablab (Pandal)							Y	Y
Lettuce
Mint
Musk Melon	Y	Y									Y	Y
Palak
Paprika						Y	Y
Peas		Y	Y							Y	Y
Potato										Y	Y
Pumpkin	Y					Y	Y					Y
Radish									Y
Rhubarb
Ribbed Gourd	Y						Y
Small Onion				Y	Y					Y	Y
Snake Gourd	Y						Y
Soybean
Sweet Potato						Y	Y		Y
Tapioca	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y
Tinda	Y	Y
Tomato					Y	Y					Y	Y
Turnip
Vegetable Cowpea		Y	Y		Y	Y
Watermelon											Y	Y
Winged Bean

Vegetable Sowing Chart for South India

As part of our Agriculture for Everybody blog series,  we are going to see Vegetable Sowing Chart for South India.

Crop Name	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Amaranth			Y	Y		Y	Y
Annual Moringa
Ash Gourd	Y	Y	Y	Y		Y	Y					Y
Asparagus						Y	Y
Babycorn						Y	Y
Basella						Y	Y
Beetroot						Y	Y	Y			Y
Bellary Onion	Y	Y		Y	Y	Y	Y		Y
Bhendi	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y				Y
Bitter Gourd	Y	Y	Y	Y		Y	Y					Y
Bottle Gourd	Y	Y	Y	Y		Y	Y					Y
Brinjal	Y	Y				Y	Y			Y	Y
Broadbeans	Y	Y	Y			Y	Y	Y		Y	Y
Brussels Sprout						Y	Y
Butter Bean	Y	Y	Y			Y	Y	Y		Y	Y
Cabbage						Y	Y			Y	Y	Y
Capsicum						Y	Y			Y
Carrot	Y	Y				Y	Y	Y			Y
Cauliflower						Y	Y	Y	Y
Celery						Y	Y
Ceylon Spinach	Y	Y	Y			Y	Y		Y	Y
Chakravathi Keerai						Y	Y
Chekurmanis						Y	Y
Chickpea						Y	Y		Y	Y
Chillies				Y	Y	Y	Y					Y
Chinese Cabbage						Y	Y
Chinese Potato						Y	Y
Chow chow						Y	Y
Cluster Beans	Y	Y	Y			Y	Y	Y		Y	Y
Coccinia						Y	Y
Colocasia						Y	Y
Cucumber						Y	Y		Y	Y		Y
Curry Leaf						Y	Y
Dioscorea						Y	Y
Elephant Foot Yam						Y	Y
French Bean	Y	Y	Y			Y	Y	Y		Y	Y
Gherkin						Y	Y
Knol-khol						Y	Y
Lablab						Y	Y
Lettuce	Y	Y				Y	Y				Y	Y
Mint						Y	Y
Musk Melon	Y	Y	Y			Y	Y				Y	Y
Palak						Y	Y
Paprika						Y	Y
Peas						Y	Y		Y	Y
Potato						Y	Y
Pumpkin						Y	Y					Y
Radish	Y	Y				Y	Y
Rhubarb						Y	Y
Ribbed Gourd	Y	Y	Y	Y		Y	Y					Y
Small Onion	Y	Y		Y	Y	Y	Y		Y
Snake Gourd	Y	Y	Y	Y		Y	Y					Y
Soybean	Y	Y	Y			Y	Y	Y		Y	Y
Sweet Potato						Y	Y
Tapioca						Y	Y
Tinda						Y	Y
Tomato	Y	Y		Y		Y	Y
Turnip						Y	Y			Y	Y
Vegetable Cowpea	Y	Y	Y			Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y
Watermelon	Y	Y	Y			Y	Y			Y	Y	Y
Winged Bean	Y	Y	Y			Y	Y	Y		Y	Y

Manures - Misc

As part of our Agriculture for Everybody blog series,  we are going to see the Misc. Manures.


Wood Ash

1. Burn the dead woods which result in wood ash.
2. Allow the wood ash to cool down.
3. Wood Ash contains Lime and Potash.
4. Wood Ash should be used in small quantities only on the soil.
5. Hardwood plants contains good amount of minerals compared to Softwood plants.

Pesticides - Misc

As part of our Agriculture for Everybody blog series,  we are going to see the Misc. pesticides.


Wood Ash

1. Burn the dead woods which result in wood ash.
2. Allow the wood ash to cool down.
3. Wood Ash can be placed around the base of the plant as well as sprinkle the ash on the foliage of the crop as well.
4. Wood Ash is mainly used for Vegetable Crops.
5. Wood Ash provides excellent results against Cutworms, Caterpillars, Grass Hoppers etc.
6. Wood Ash provides only temporary protection against pests.

Categories or Types of Vegetables

As part of our Agriculture for Everybody blog series,  we are going to see the different Categories or Types of Vegetables.

A new farmer or even an experienced farmer does have doubts regarding the different types of vegetables and how they have to be handled in terms of whether to Stake, allow Creeping or allow Climbing.  I hope the data provided below will give a ready answer to that.

Crop Name	Type (Fruit / Root & Tuber / Green Leafy / Cole / Bulb)	Creeper (Ground Creeper / Natural Climber / Assisted Climber / Stakes)	Require Pandal  / Trellises System?	2	3	4
Amaranth	G
Annual Moringa	F
Ash Gourd	F	G
Asparagus	G
Babycorn	F
Basella	G
Beetroot	R
Bellary Onion	B
Bhendi	F
Bitter Gourd	F	N	Y
Bottle Gourd	F	N	Y
Brinjal	F
Broadbeans	F	S
Brussels Sprout	G
Butter Bean	F
Cabbage	C
Capsicum	F
Carrot	R
Cauliflower	C
Celery	G
Ceylon Spinach	G	N
Chakravathi Keerai	G
Chekurmanis	G
Chickpea	F
Chillies	F
Chinese Cabbage	C
Chinese Potato	R
Chow chow	F	N
Cluster Beans	F	S
Coccinia	F	N	Y
Colocasia	R
Cucumber	F	N
Curry Leaf	G
Dioscorea	R
Elephant Foot Yam	R
French Bean	F	N
Gherkin	F	N
Knol-khol	R
Lablab	F	N	Y (Pandal Type)
Lettuce	G
Mint	G
Musk Melon	F	G
Palak	G
Paprika	F	N
Peas	F	N
Potato	R
Pumpkin	F	G
Radish	R
Rhubarb	F
Ribbed Gourd	F	N	Y
Small Onion	B
Snake Gourd	F	N	Y
Soybean	F
Sweet Potato	R
Tapioca	R
Tinda	F	A
Tomato	F	S
Turnip	R
Vegetable Cowpea	F	N
Watermelon	F	G
Winged Bean	F	N

Manures - Egg Lime Formulation (Muttai Rasam)

As part of our Agriculture for Everybody blog series,  we are going to see Egg Lime Formulation (Muttai Rasam).


Required Ingredients

S.No.	Ingredient Name	Qty in Litres/Kgs/Nos
1	Lime	20-25 Nos
2	Jaggery	250 Grams
3	Egg (Chicken or Duck)	10-15 Nos

Method of Preparation

1. Cut the Lime and extract the juice into a bucket.
2. Dissolve the Jaggery and mix it with the Lime Juice to form a solution.
3. Place the eggs as it is into the bottom of the bucket and ensure that the eggs are not floating.
4. Close the bucket with an air tight lid and place it in a shaded place for 10 days.
5. On the 10th day, the eggs along with the shells inside the solution would have become rubbery, like a rubber ball.
6. Mix the eggs along with the shell well in the lime and jaggery solution.
7. Now find out the number of litres of solution arrived at.
8. Add equal amount of Jaggery solution alone to this.
9. Again, close the bucket with an air tight lid and place it in a shaded place for 10 days.
10. The solution is ready to be used after this.

Method of Storage

1. The manure should be kept in air tight bucket and placed in a shaded and cool place.

How long can we store the Manure?

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

How to use the Manure?

1. Spray System - The manure can be applied as a foliar spray.
2. Flow System - The solution of manure can be mixed with irrigation water, either through drip irrigation or flow irrigation.

Note:

• Dilute 15 ml of Egg Lime Formulation to be diluted with 1 Litre of Water before applying.
• The Egg Lime Formulation can also be used along with Panchakavya or Vermiwash.

When to use the Manure?

1. Generally, it is accepted that every 15 days the manure can be applied.
2. The manure should be sprayed only in the early morning or late evenings.

How to collect Desi or Local or Native or Indigenous Earthworms?

As part of our Agriculture for Everybody blog series, we are going to see the way to collect Local or Native or Indigenous Earthworms.

1. Identify worm-inhabited soils marked by visible earthworm castings on the soil surface
2. The identified place should be of 1.0 m X 0.5 m or 1.0 m X 1.0 m size
3. Take 20 Litres of Water + 500 Grams of Jaggery (Native Sugar or Unrefined Sugar or Brown Sugar or Karrupatti) + 500 Grams of Fresh Cow Dung
4. Dissolve the Jaggery in the Water along with the Fresh Cow Dung and mix them well
5. Once dissolved properly, sprinkle the concoction on the previously identified place
6. Cover the place first with straw (Rice or Wheat or similar) and small lumps of cattle dung and on top of it cover the place with Jute Bag or Gunny Bag.  Mainly the Jute Bag is to ensure that birds do not eat the earthworms
7. Sprinkle water for 20-30 days daily in the morning and evening time on the covered bag to keep the place moist
8. You should be able to get earthworms after this.  This will be in hundreds only
9. You should collect the earthworms along with a little bit of the soil with it for better retaining them
10. If you want more earthworms, you should do the same in a bigger area

Seed Disease Control Treatment - Bijamrita

As part of our Agriculture for Everybody blog series, we are going to see Bijamrita which is used to control seed borne diseases and this is popularised by Subhash Palekar.

Required Ingredients

S.No.	Ingredient Name	Qty in Litres/Kgs
1	Water	21 Ltrs
2	Cow Dung	5 Kgs
3	Cow Urine	5 Ltrs
4	Lime	50 Gms
5	Soil from bund	Handful

Note:

• Cow's Urine should be from Local Cows and not from cross-bred or foreign breeds.

Method of Preparation

1. Take a cotton cloth and place the Cow Dung and secure it at the top by tying it well.
2. Immerse the contents of the cloth in the 20 Litres of Water for 12 hours.
3. Similarly, take the lime and add the lime to 1 Litre of Water and let it be for a whole night.
4. Squeeze the contents of the cloth thrice to ensure all the essence is captured in the 20 Litres of  Water.
5. Add the handful of Soil collected from the bund to the essence and stir it well.
6. Add the Cow Urine, Lime Water to the contents of the 20 Litre of essence and stir it well.
7. Bijamrita is ready for use.

Method of Storage

1. Not Applicable

How long can we store it?

1. Not Applicable

How to use it?

1. Seeds to be immersed well in the essence and should be allowed to dry.
2. Once it is dried well, the seed can be used for sowing.

Which pests are controlled?

1. Generally, seed borne disease are controlled and the germination improves.

Seed Dormancy Treatment - Vegetables - General

Seed Dormancy Treatment - Biogas Slurry

1. Soak the seeds in Biogas Slurry for 30 minutes before sowing.
2. Sow the seeds immediately.

Seed Dormancy - Cow Dung

• Take 500 Grams Cow Dung and 1 Litre Water.
• Mix both the Cow Dung and the Water well.
• Soak the seeds in this concoction for 24 hours and keep it in a cool dry place.
• Sow the seeds immediately on the next day.
• Expect germination to improve by 90% for vegetables like Bitter Gourd, Ribbed Gourd, Snake Gourd, Bottle Gourd and Pumpkin.

Seed Dormancy - Cow Urine

• Soak the seeds in cow urine for 12 hours and keep it in a cool and shaded place.  This will improve germination.
• Sow the seeds immediately on the next day.

Seed Dormancy Treatment - Dasagavya

• Soak the seeds or dipping the roots of seedlings in 3% solution for 20 minutes.  This enhances seed germination and root development.

Seed Dormancy Treatment - Panchakavya

1. Take 980 ml of water.
2. Add 20 ml of Panchakavya to it.
3. Mix them well.
4. Soak the seeds in this concoction for 30 minutes before sowing.
5. Sow the seeds immediately.

Seed Dormancy Treatment - Water

1. Soak the seeds in water for 12 hours and keep it in a cool and shaded place.  This will improve germination.
2. Sow the seeds immediately on the next day.

Fodder Trees for Livestock

As part of our Agriculture for Everybody blog series, we are going to see the different Fodder Trees which can be grown for feeding our Livestock.

S.No.	Botanical Name	Common Name / Tamil Name
1	A. leucophloea	Velvel, White babul
2	A. nilotica	Karuvel, Black babul
3	Acacia  planifrons	Umbrella tree / Kudaivel
4	Acacia catechu	Karungali
5	Ailanthes excelsa	Match wood tree
6	Albizzia lebbek Vagai	Vagai
7	Azadirachta indica	Vembu
8	Dalbergia sisoo	Sisoo
9	Delonix regia	Gulmohar
10	Enterolobium saman	Rain tree
11	Erythrina indica	Mulmurungai / Kalyana murungai
12	Ficus  religiosa	Peepal tree / Arasamaram
13	Ficus bengalensis	Banyan tree  / Alamaram
14	Glyciridia maculata	Glyricidia
15	Hardwickia binata	Acha
16	Leucaena leucocephala	Subabul / Soundal
17	Madhca indica	Illuppai
18	Melia azadirachta	Malaivembu
19	Pitheclobium dulci	Kodukapuli
20	Pongamia glabra	Pungam
21	Sesbania grandiflora	Agathi

Choosing the Crops (Groupwise) based on Shelf Life

As part of our Agriculture for Everybody blog series, we are going to see how to Select the Crops (Groupwise) based on Shelf Life.

We have already seen several options of choosing the crops.  One more addition to that can be the following.

Generally, most of the crops we produce have short shelf life.  In this scenario, the farmer is forced to sell the produce immediately as the produce gets rotten easily.  It would be prudent on the part of the farmer to allocate a small portion of the land to produce crops which have longer shelf life.

In this way, the farmer can save the produce and sell it at the right price.

The following are some of the examples of both Shorter Shelf Life Crops and Longer Shelf Life Crops.

Shorter Shelf Life Crops

• Sugarcrops like Sugarcane
• Vegetables like Tomato, Ladies Finger etc
• Flowers
• Fruits like Mango, Guava, Jamun etc

Longer Shelf Life Crops

• Cereals like Paddy, Wheat
• Millets like Maize, Millet, Ragi , Cumbu etc
• Pulses
• Oil Seeds like Castor, Groundnut, Gingelly etc
• Fibre Crops like Cotton, Jute
• Plantation Crops like Coconut, Cashewnut, Arecanut etc
• Spice Crops like Ginger, Garlic, Tamarind etc
• Vegetables like Elephant Yam, Tapioca etc
• Fruit Crops like Jackfruit etc

Farm Design - Raised Bed Preparation for Vegetable Farming (Hugelkultur Method)

As part of our Agriculture for Everybody blog series, we are going to see Raised Bed Preparation for Vegetable Farming (Hugelkultur Method).

Specifications

Length - Can be of any size

Breadth - 2.5 ft to 4 ft (Max)

• Nobody should step on the bed, once the beds are prepared as this will compact / harden the soil.

Height - 1 ft to 5 ft (Max)

• Depending on the availability of the woods or depending on the type of vegetables, the height can be decided.
  

Space between Beds - 1.5 ft to 2 ft (Max)

• This area can be used for all the activities like sowing, manuring, harvesting etc

Implementation

1. Remove the top soil (1 - 2 inches) where the bed is prepared and keep it aside.
2. Place the bigger woods (rotten, cut, fallen etc) in the bed.
3. Next place the smaller woods (twigs, branches etc) in the bed.
4. Next fill the gaps in the bed with dry leaves, fresh leaves, kitchen waste or anything that will decompose in the bed.
5. Cover the woods and other materials by placing the top soil previously collected on top of them .
6. The bed is ready for use.
7. To further increase the height of the beds, Point No.2 to 5 can be repeated as many times as possible.

Notes

• The bed should be from East to West direction to get maximum sunlight throughout the day. 
• The bed shape should be round or oval.
• The beds may not need watering for a long time if hard woods are used.
• Generally, most of the vegetables need full sunlight and hence proper plan should be made to ensure that no shadow falls on the bed.
• Few vegetables may tolerate semi-shadow and these can be planted where shadow falls on the bed.

Farm Design - Bed Preparation for Vegetable Farming (Bread Sandwich Method)

As part of our Agriculture for Everybody blog series, we are going to see Bed Preparation for Vegetable Farming (Bread Sandwich Method) popularised by Dr. G. Nammalwar.

Specifications

Length - Can be of any size

Breadth - 2.5 ft to 4 ft (Max)

• Nobody should step on the bed, once the beds are prepared as this will compact / harden the soil.
• Generally, one drip point is required for 2.5 ft breadth size, 2 drip points are required for 4 ft breadth size.
  

Space between Beds - 1.5 ft to 2 ft (Max)

• This area can be used for irrigation as well as for all the activities like sowing, manuring, harvesting etc

Implementation

1. Remove the Top Soil up to a depth of 1 ft and keep it separate for later use.  Another way to identify the top soil is the difference in change of colour between the top soil and the sub soil.
2. Loosen the Sub Soil up to a depth of 1 ft which is beneath the sub soil.  This basically means, you need to make the compacted or hardened sub soil loose.
3. Add a thick layer of Compost on top of the sub soil.
4. Where possible Charcoal can also be added on top of the sub soil.
5. On top of  the Compost or Charcoal place the top soil.

Notes

• The bed should be from East to West direction to get maximum sunlight throughout the day. 
• Generally, most of the vegetables need full sunlight and hence proper plan should be made to ensure that no shadow falls on the bed.
• Few vegetables may tolerate semi-shadow and these can be planted where shadow falls on the bed.
• If multiple raised beds are made next to each other, can opt for sprinklers for watering.

Farm Design - Raised Bed Preparation for Vegetable Farming (Simple Method)

As part of our Agriculture for Everybody blog series, we are going to see Raised Bed Preparation for Vegetable Farming (Simple Method).

Specifications

Length - Can be of any size

Breadth - 2.5 ft to 4 ft (Max)

• Nobody should step on the raised bed, once the raised beds are prepared as this will compact / harden the soil.
• Generally, one drip point is required for 2.5 ft breadth size, 2 drip points are required for 4 ft breadth size.
  

Height - 1 ft (Max)

Space between Raised Beds - 1.5 ft to 2 ft (Max)

• This area can be used for irrigation as well as for all the activities like sowing, manuring, harvesting etc

Notes

• The bed should be from East to West direction to get maximum sunlight throughout the day. 
• Generally, most of the vegetables need full sunlight and hence proper plan should be made to ensure that no shadow falls on the bed.
• Few vegetables may tolerate semi-shadow and these can be planted where shadow falls on the bed.
• The bed can be flat or rounded.
• If multiple raised beds are made next to each other, can opt for sprinklers for watering.

Pesticides - Sukku Asthira (சுக்கு அஸ்திரா)

As part of our Agriculture for Everybody blog series, we are going to see Sukku Asthira (சுக்கு அஸ்திரா) which is an organic pest repellent.

Required Ingredients

S.No.	Ingredient Name	Qty in Litres/Kgs
1	Sukku (Dry Ginger)	200 Grams
2	Cow's or Buffalo Milk	5 Litres
3	Water	202 Litres

Method of Preparation

1. Crush the Dry Ginger into a fine powder.
2. Add the Dry Ginger powder to 2 Litres of water.
3. Boil the water until the water becomes 1 Litre.
4. Allow the water to cool down to room temperature.
5. Boil the Milk well in a pot.
6. Allow the milk to cool down to room temperature.
7. Remove the layer (cream) at the top of the milk.
8. Finally, add the both the Dry Ginger water solution and the Milk solution to 200 Litres of water.

Method of Storage

1. The pesticide 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 pesticide as well.

How long can we store the Pesticide?

1. The pesticide can be stored for 21 days.

How to use the Pesticide?

1. Spray System - The pesticide can be applied as a foliar spray.

When to use the Pesticide?

1. Generally, the ideal time for spraying is during 6 am to 8.30 am and between 4 pm and 6.30 pm.

Which pests are controlled by the Pesticide?

1. The pesticide is effective in controlling fungus.

Pesticides - Bramhastra (பிரம்மாஸ்திரா)

As part of our Agriculture for Everybody blog series, we are going to see Bramhastra (பிரம்மாஸ்திரா) which is an organic pest repellent and is popularised by Subhash Palekar.

Required Ingredients

S.No.	Ingredient Name	Qty in Litres/Kgs
1	Cow's Urine	10 Litres
2	Neem Leaves	3 Kgs
3	Custard Apple	2 Kgs
4	Papaya Leaves	2 Kgs
5	Pomegranate Leaves	2 Kgs
6	Guava Leaves	2 Kgs
7	Lantena Camella Leaves	2 Kgs
8	White Dhatura Leaves	2 Kgs

Note:

• Cow's Urine should be from Local Cows and not from cross-bred or foreign breeds.
• Lantena Camella Leaves & White Dhatura Leaves can be added, if available.

Method of Preparation

1. Add the Cow's Urine in a pot.
2. Crush the Neem Leaves well and add the Neem pulp to the pot as well.
3. Similarly, crush the other ingredients (No.3 to No.8) one by one and add them to the pot as well.
4. Boil the content of the pot for 5 times.
5. Filter the content of the pot using a cloth.
6. Allow the pesticide to ferment for 24 hours.

Method of Storage

1. Not Applicable

How long can we store the Pesticide?

1. Not Applicable

How to use the Pesticide?

1. Spray System - The pesticide can be applied as a foliar spray.

Note:

• Dilute 2 Litres of the pesticide with 100 Litres of water before applying.

When to use the Pesticide?

1. Generally, the ideal time for spraying is during 6 am to 8.30 am and between 4 pm and 6.30 pm.

Which pests are controlled by the Pesticide?

1. The pesticide is effective in controlling sucking pests, pod borer and fruit borer.

Choosing the Right Number of Crops - Approach One

In our Agriculture for Everybody blog series, we are going to see how to choose the Right Number of Crops.


We have discussed previously about

• Choosing the Right Crop
• Choosing the Right Variety within a Crop

In continuing with the similar topics, we are going to discuss about the Right Number of Crops.

Generally, it is advised to go for 20 to 40 range of Crops for diversification.  How is this number arrived at?

If we need to maintain the diversity as well as minimize the risk, it is better to allocate only 2.5% to 5% of the total land available for farming (excluding land for Fences, Livestock etc).

In this case, some of the crops may get more money for the same land allocated, while some others may get less money and hence it will average it out by itself and also there will be a continuous flow of cash in our hands. (Will be discussed further in future topics)

While the % or the range may be easily valid for long duration crops like Plants, when it comes to short duration crops like Vegetables or Floriculture, we need to have another 20 to 40 range of crops within these.  The reason being Vegetables or Floriculture produces more in a short time and hence there may be over production if we have only 1 Vegetable or Floriculture crop and hence the risks of market will be there.

As a thumb rule, keep the above in mind.  Its not that we have to strictly maintain this range. Depending on the specific situation of the farmer, it may go up or come down.  A farmer having a small holding (1 Acre) cannot go for 20 different Plants but may be possible to go for 20 different Vegetables including Green Leafy Vegetables.

We have seen the general model, but what about Integrated Farming?  Lets for a moment assume we want to go for Integrated Farming. In Integrated Farming, we normally would have atleast some of the following in our farm.

1. Cattle (Cows, Sheep, Goats etc)
2. Poultry (Chicken, Ducks, Pigeons etc)
3. Fisheries
4. Apiculture and may be more depending on the interest of the farmer.

If we plan to include one or more of the above options, we may need to allocate enough land for hosting them as well as enough land for producing the feed.  After subtracting the land needed for the Livestock, use the remaining land for other crops.

We need to keep in mind that Cereals, Millets etc are also need to be considered as a crop and hence they can be part of the 20 to 40 ranges of crops.

Manures - Amudha Karaisal

In our Agriculture for Everybody blog series,  we are going to see Amudha Karaisal.  This is known as Amruthpani in Hindi.


Required Ingredients

S.No.	Ingredient Name	Qty in Litres/Kgs
1	Fresh Cow Dung	1 Kg
2	Cow's Urine	1 Litres
3	Jaggery	25 Grams
4	Water	10 Litres
5	Ipomoea Cornea	1 Kg

Note:

• Ipomoea Cornea is known as Neiveli Kattamanakku in Tamil and is an Optional Ingredient.

Method of Preparation

1. Mix all of them and stir well (3 times a day).
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.

Method of Storage

1. Not Applicable as the manure can be used after 24 hours itself.

How long can we store the Manure?

1. Not Applicable as the manure can be used after 24 hours itself.

How to use the Manure?

1. Spray System - The manure can be applied as a foliar spray.
2. Flow System - The solution of manure can be mixed with irrigation water, either through drip irrigation or flow irrigation.

Note: Dilute 1 Litre of the manure with 10 Litres of Water before applying.

When to use the Manure?

1. Generally, it is accepted that every 15 days the manure can be applied.

Manures - Herbal Tea

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


Required Ingredients

S.No.	Ingredient Name	Qty in Litres/Kgs
1	Fresh Cow Dung	5 Kgs
3	Jaggery	250 Grams
2	Medicinal Plants	Required Qty
4	Big Stone or Brick	1 Number
5	Water	3/4 of Drum size

Note:

• Any Medicinal Plants like Neem, Nochi, Custard Apple leaves.

Method of Preparation

1. Have a Water Drum filled with 3/4 of water.
2. Place all the above mentioned items (1 to 4) inside a jute sack, tie the mouth of the sack tightly with a rope and immerse it inside the water.
3. Shake the sack, holding the free end of the rope two times everyday in such a way that the contents inside the sack mix well with the water (similar to the tea bags immersed in milk).

Note:

• Water Drum can be made of Iron, Plastic or Cement Tank.
• The manure will be ready after 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. Spray System - The manure can be applied as a foliar spray.
2. Flow System - The solution of manure can be mixed with irrigation water, either through drip irrigation or flow irrigation.

Note: Dilute 1 Litre of the manure with 9 Litres of water before applying.

When to use the Manure?

1. Generally, it is accepted that every 15 days the manure can be applied.

Pesticides - Vasambu Karaisal (வசம்பு கரைசல்)

In our Agriculture for Everybody blog series, we are going to see Vasambu Karaisal (வசம்பு கரைசல்) which is an organic pest repellent.

Required Ingredients

S.No.	Ingredient Name	Qty in Litres/Kgs
1	Vasambu	300 Grams
2	Cow's Urine	0.5 Litres
3	Khadi Soap	100 ML
4	Water	2 Litres

Note:

• Vasambu is known as Sweet Flag in English and its botanical name is Acorus calamus.

Method of Preparation

1. Dry the Vasambu in sunlight.
2. Crush the Vasambu into a powdery form and soak it in the water for one night.
3. Stir the solution by using a stick.
4. Filter the solution using a cloth and use it.
5. Mix 2 days old Cow's Urine at the time of use.
6. Mix 100 ml of khadi soap solution at the time of use.

Note:

• 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 pesticide.
• The pesticide 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.

Method of Storage

1. The pesticide 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 pesticide as well.

How long can we store the Pesticide?

1. Not Applicable

How to use the Pesticide?

1. Spray System - The pesticide can be applied as a foliar spray.

When to use the Pesticide?

1. Generally, the ideal time for spraying is during 6 am to 8.30 am and between 4 pm and 6.30 pm.

Which pests are controlled by the Pesticide?

1. Information not available

Manures - Fish Amino Acid (மீன் அமினோ அமிலம்)

In our Agriculture for Everybody blog series, we are going to see Fish Amino Acid ((மீன் அமினோ அமிலம்)) which is an organic fertilizer.



Required Ingredients

S.No.	Ingredient Name	Qty in Litres/Kgs
1	Fish / Fish Wastes	2 Kgs
2	Solid Jaggery	2 Kgs

Method of Preparation

1. Cut the Fish or Fish Waste into small pieces and place it in an air tight container.
2. Crush the solid jaggery into small pieces and place it as well in the container.
3. Mix them well and store in a cool place.  Avoid direct sunlight.
4. The solution can be used when the solution looks like honey.  This will take 20-30 days of fermentation.
5. Remove the solid fish waste by filtering the same.

Method of Storage

1. The manure should be kept in the shade and kept it in an air tight container.

How long can we store the Manure?

1. The manure can be stored for 6 months.

How to use the Manure?

1. Spray System - The manure can be applied as a foliar spray.
2. Flow System - The solution of manure can be mixed with irrigation water, either through drip irrigation or flow irrigation.

Note: Dilute 25 ml of the manure with 1 litre of water before use.

When to use the Manure?

1. Generally, the ideal time for spraying is during 6 am to 8.30 am and between 4 pm and 6.30 pm.
2. Generally, it is accepted that every 15 days the manure can be applied.

Manures - Pazha Karaisal (பழக்கரைசல்)

In our Agriculture for Everybody blog series, we are going to see Pazha Karaisal (பழக்கரைசல்) which is an organic fertilizer.

Required Ingredients

S.No.	Ingredient Name	Qty in Litres/Kgs
1	Ripened Fruits	10 Kgs
2	Cow's Urine	3 Litres
3	Water	10 Litres

Note:

• Different Fruits like Papaya, Banana, Mango, Sapota, Guava etc can be used.

Method of Preparation

1. Squash the different fruits to make a semi solid paste.
2. Add Cow's Urine & Water to it.
3. Allow the solution to ferment for 7 days.

Note:

• 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.

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 pesticide as well.

How long can we store the Manure?

1. Not Applicable

How to use the Manure?

1. Spray System - The manure can be applied as a foliar spray.
2. Flow System - The solution of manure can be mixed with irrigation water, either through drip irrigation or flow irrigation.

When to use the Manure?

1. Generally, the ideal time for spraying is during 6 am to 8.30 am and between 4 pm and 6.30 pm.
2. Generally, it is accepted that every 15 days the manure can be applied.

Manures - Attottam (ஆட்டூட்டம்)

In our Agriculture for Everybody blog series,  we are going to see Attottam (ஆட்டூட்டம்) which is an organic fertilizer.

Required Ingredients

S.No.	Ingredient Name	Qty in Litres/Kgs
1	Fresh Goat Dung	5 Kgs
2	Goat Urine	3 Litres
3	Goat Milk	2 Litres
4	Goat Curd	2 Litres
5	Banana (Ripe)	12 Nos
6	Tender Coconut Water	2 Litres
7	Groundnut Cake	1.5 Kg
8	Sugarcane Juice	2 Kgs
9	Toddy	2 Litres

Note:

• Usil botanical name is Albizia amara and in Hindi it is known as Ailaa.
• An alternative to Groundnut cake is to use Soya or Black Gram or Green Gram grinded well and soaked in water for 24 hours.
• An alternative to Toddy is to use Coconut Water fermented for 4 days or 50 gms of yeast dissolved in 2 litres of warm water
• An alterative to Sugarcane Juice is by adding 1 kg of jaggery dissolved in 2 litres of water.

Method of Preparation

1. Add Fresh Goat Dung, Goat Urine and Grountnut Cake into a pot or plastic drum.
2. The next day add Goat Milk, Curd, Coconut Water, Toddy & Sugarcane Juice.
3. Make the Banana into small pieces or crush them and add them as well.
4. Stir the solution well twice daily (50 times clockwise and anti-clockwise) by using a stick.
5. Allow the solution to ferment for 14 days.

Note:

• 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.
• 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.

Method of Storage

1. Stir the solution well twice daily (50 times clockwise and anti-clockwise) by using a stick.
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 pesticide 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 - The manure can be applied as a foliar spray.

Note:

• Dilute 200 Milli Litre of the manure with 10 Litres of water before applying.
• 2 Litres of Attottam diluted in 100 Litres of water is enough for an acre.

When to use the Manure?

1. Generally, the ideal time for spraying is during 6 am to 8.30 am and between 4 pm and 6.30 pm.
2. Generally, it is accepted that every 15 days the manure can be applied.