Farm Design - Habitat Management

As part of our Agriculture for Everybody blog series,  we are going to see Habitat Management.

Habitat Management helps in maintaining the diversity of the farm.  The habitat thus created will help in the diversity of the farm in terms of trees and further will sustain the different organisms like friendly insects, pest predators, birds, snakes, owls etc.  This in turn will keep the farm in a healthy condition.

A proper habitat can be created around the borders of the farm (e.g. Fences) or it  can be created in the center of the farm or may be even scattered around the farm depending on the shape and size of the farm.

The following crops are essential for any farm (for a 10 acre farm).

• Neem - 5-6 Trees
• Tamarind - 1-2 Trees
• Ber (Zizyphus mauritiana Lam) - 8-10 Bushes
• Amla/Indian Gooseberry/Anola (Emblica officinalis) - 1-2 Trees
• Moringa/Drumstick - 1-2 Trees
• Wild Bushes - 10-15 Bushes
• Gliricidia - 100-150 Trees

Note: Please note that the above Trees/Bushes mentioned are an example and can be tweaked by having locally available native trees/bushes.

Pesticides - Dasagavya (தசகாவ்யா)

As part of our Agriculture for Everybody blog series,  we are going to see Dasagavya (தசகாவ்யா).


Required Ingredients

S.No.	Ingredient Name	Qty in Litres/Kgs/Nos
1	Neem (Azadirachta indica)	1 Kgs
2	Erukam (Calotrophis)	1 Kgs
3	Kolingi (Tephrosia purpurea)	1 Kgs
4	Notchi (Vitex negundo)	1 Kgs
5	Umathai (Datura metel)	1 Kgs
6	Katamanaku (Jatropha curcas)	1 Kgs
7	Adathoda (Adathoda vasica)	1 Kgs
8	Pungam (Pongamia pinnata)	1 Kgs
9	Cow Urine	8 Litres

Method of Preparation

1. Chop the leaves mentioned (S.No. 1-8) into small piece and soak them in the Cow Urine.  The ratio of Leaves to Cow Urine is 1:1.
2. Allow it to ferment for 10 days.
3. Filter the Leaves extract and add it to the Panchagavya in the ratio 1:5.
4. Stir the contents well so that both the Panchagavya and the Leaves extract are mixed well.
5. Stir the contents once or twice a day for the next 25 days.
6. After filtering, the Dasagavya is ready for use.

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. N/A

How to use the Pesticide?

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

Note:

• Dilute 3% Dasagavya with 97% 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 aphids, thrips, mites and other sucking pests as well as control diseases like leaf spot, leaf blight, powdery mildew etc.

Manures - Dasagavya (தசகாவ்யா)

As part of our Agriculture for Everybody blog series,  we are going to see Dasagavya (தசகாவ்யா).


Required Ingredients

S.No.	Ingredient Name	Qty in Litres/Kgs/Nos
1	Neem (Azadirachta indica)	1 Kgs
2	Erukam (Calotrophis)	1 Kgs
3	Kolingi (Tephrosia purpurea)	1 Kgs
4	Notchi (Vitex negundo)	1 Kgs
5	Umathai (Datura metel)	1 Kgs
6	Katamanaku (Jatropha curcas)	1 Kgs
7	Adathoda (Adathoda vasica)	1 Kgs
8	Pungam (Pongamia pinnata)	1 Kgs
9	Cow Urine	8 Litres

Method of Preparation

1. Chop the leaves mentioned (S.No. 1-8) into small piece and soak them in the Cow Urine.  The ratio of Leaves to Cow Urine is 1:1.
2. Allow it to ferment for 10 days.
3. Filter the Leaves extract and add it to the Panchagavya in the ratio 1:5.
4. Stir the contents well so that both the Panchagavya and the Leaves extract are mixed well.
5. Stir the contents once or twice a day for the next 25 days.
6. After filtering, the Dasagavya is ready for use.

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.

How long can we store the Manure?

1. N/A

How to use the Manure?

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

Note:

• Dilute 3% Dasagavya with 97% water before applying.

When to use the Manure?

1. Weekly sprays is recommended for Vegetables and Plantation Crops.
2. The manure should be sprayed only in the early morning or late evenings.