Mysore farm

[Guest guest]

Mysore

 

Jai Caitanya's project in Mysore was the next destination on the trip (Photo

3). In Vol 12 Issue 2 we had an article about this project submitted by

Labangalatika dasi. Balabhadra, accompanied by Labangalatika and Prakash, spent

two days at the Maysore farm. This project is a wonderful example of helping

the surrounding villagers engage in sustainable agriculture and Krsna

Consciousness. Jai Caitanya's project has 120 acres of land of which he has 90%

in cultivation, certified organic. They are growing bananas, coconuts, rice,

sugarcane, vanilla, pepper, sandalwood, teakwood, oak, a variety of vegetables,

patchouli, a variety of tropical fruits, saffron, mangoes, cashews, tamarind,

henna, gugal, jackfruit, avocados, cloves, allspice, cinnamon, rose apples,

cocoa, neem, and mahogany. This is only a partial list. There are 40 cows and

bullocks, currently 2 young teams of bullocks are being used, they are using

cow urine with herbs as pesticides, and they are also utilizing cow dung and

herbs according to biodynamic formulations of the Rudolf Steiner method.

Astrological implementation is followed for planting, fertilization,

harvesting, and pest control. The atmosphere was very peaceful and Jai Caitanya

has also organized 300 village farmers who are now growing crops for him on

their own certified organic properties.

 

Getting the farm to produce is only the first step. The next step is the

successful harvesting and processing of the harvest whether it be for self use

or for marketing. The processing of the harvest is very critical. Balabhadra

was continuously impressed by the timely harvesting and by the high quality of

the processing for optimum end quality product.

 

As Balabhadra toured from one aspect of the farm to another Jai Caitanya would

be approached by his men in charge with questions. His answers were always

intelligently thought out based on his commitment to quality.

 

Here is the article from the ISCOWP News Volume 12 Issue 2

 

The Hare Krishna Farm is 160 acres on the Kaveri River and about 18 kilometers

from Mysore, India. The land acquired was barren and no one wanted it, but the

temple devotees in Bangalore were inspired by Srila Prabhupada's vision for

Varnasrama to establish a project where they could grow food naturally and have

a sustainable way of life based on protection of the cow and the bull.

 

In 1996 they started with one temple devotee, Jai Caitanya das, 3 helpers and 3

families from the area who are now chanting. At first it was necessary to

connect with the local villagers and create good will. For instance, the

devotees supported the local school project at Mahadevpura. Jai Caitanya das,

who had previously helped set up the incense business in Bangalore temple, had

no background in farming but agreed to give it a try for one week, and that

week is still going on 6 years later. It is a great achievement that after 6

years this is the first year they have broken even.

 

They started a pilot project on 2 acres and the first 2 years were a struggle.

They planted trees, a mixed plantation, starting with banana to create shade

and make "mulch.' They made the mulch from fallen leaves and grass waste. Now

there are acres and acres of a lush tropical forest of coconut, guava, papaya,

mango, amla, chikoo, cinnamon, all spice, karanj or pangamia, and glyricidia

which is both good for fodder and for fertilizer as the leaves are full of

nitrogen. Black pepper vines grow on the trees and also vanilla which is the

one tremendously successful commercial crop. Even sandalwood trees are growing

here and there from seeds dropped by birds. These trees take 40 years to

mature.

 

At first they were attacked by armies of pests of all kinds, from sucking pests

to ravenous beetles to soil born diseases. Jai Caitanya das learned traditional

ways of pest control by talking to old farmers and experimenting with natural

pesticides made from cow urine and various pest repellent herbs. At first they

used to spray 10 times a month, now they only spray twice a month because the

birds, which have come to settle, do a lot of biological control. A Singapore

Cherry tree was planted to attract the birds. Some trees are covered from the

trunk to the ends of their twigs by a tree paste of clay, cow dung, and fine

sand to protect the bark form insects.

 

After 2 years Jai Caitanya das was ready to teach by conducting sustainable

farming workshops. He had made big heaps of vermi compost for fertilizer from

cow dung, grass waste, dry leaves and small twigs. As soon as one heap is ready

the worms shift themselves by crawling to the next adjacent pile. Now he is

employing 40 to 60 day laborers, depending on the season, from the local area.

They see the benefit of getting extra income, acquiring knowledge, and

participating in the devotee festivals.

 

The Kaveri River charges the wells. Jai Caitanya das had contour mapping done

and made 2 big storage ponds. They had to be lined with a layer of clay to

prevent drainage. In the second year the ponds got filled

 

and are now used for irrigation. He also made V shaped check dams so soil and

water are caught and stored there during rains. He has a wind pump of 150 feet

to pump water near the cow shed. The cost was 1 lakh rupees, but it was

subsidized by the government. He has some solar pumps and wants to introduce

ramp technology to lift water for irrigation by micro sprinklers.

 

Closer to the river are rice paddies with mixed cropping of vegetables. Crops

are planted from wetland to dry land on the hills. He has a Memorandum of

Understanding with the University of Bangalore's Agriculture Department. They

visit him every week and are researching multi cropping, such as rice with

vegetables and pulses. He is also on the managerial committee for Biodynamic

Farming and a member of the Association. He makes all his biodynamic

preparations with herbs available from Ooty in the hills.

 

There is a goshalla of about 20 cows and bulls. The herd consists of the

Krishna Valley breed that is almost extinct, and the Hllikar, Gir, and

Tarparker breeds. He is also keeping the retired cows from Bangalore temple

that are of western breeds. The western breeds are very common in Karnatka and

kept everywhere with nose ropes, probably for easier handling of big Holstein

cows.

 

The grown bull calves of the temple cows are engaged in farm work. At present

they are all tied. He has planted 30 acres of forest area for their grazing but

has not allowed the cows to graze there yet as the trees need time to grow. He

is planning to buy a 25 acre island in the Kaveri River for "pasudhan," cow

protection.

 

He has taught 250 farmers sustainable farming in the outreach program. He

teaches them how to make vermi compost from cow dung and herbal pesticides. He

supplies the seed to them and buys back the crop afterwards and markets it. The

first harvest is guaranteed, starting on a half acre. The farmers see the

change in their land and they are happy. The rice crop increases from 1.4 tons

per acre to 2.1 tons per acre. (Testing, like weighing the crop, is done as

there is a need to address the farmer's psychological so they will not resort

to using any chemicals. He is getting all the farmers certified organic to the

international standard. He is slowly introducing them to Srila Prabhupada.

First you change your land and then your lifestyle changes, then you change

your spiritual life. "This is Karma Bhumi, unless it hits you in the stomach no

one is going to work. These farmers need this. They are coming to take it,"

says Jai Caitanya das. "

 

Through the outreach program, farmers are growing organic crops all over Tamil

Nadu, Kerala, and Karantaka. There is even a farmer growing organic wheat in

Madhya Pradesh and a Tibetan settlement near Mysore growing organic cotton.

These are some of the crops bought back from the farmers by Jai Caitanya das

and marketed by him.

 

He must store the harvested crops from the farmers before marketing in direct

sales. The storage is done in a go-down that stores 200 tons of food grains and

keeps wheat for one year. The grain sacks are placed on teakwood planks so

nothing touches the floor. The tops of the sacks are filled with neem leaves,

karanj leaves, nirgundi leaves (vitex negundo) and chili seeds before closing.

The outside of the sacks is then sprayed with sitaphal oil. The walls are

smeared with cow dung, karanj oil, and tumeric every 15 days. The pesticide

oils and their cooking oil are pressed

 

The pesticide oils and their cooking oil are pressed on the oil ghani in the

village. Karanj oil is also useful for burning and can be used as an engine oil

and even diesel. Cow Urine is sprayed in the crevices and cinnamon leaves and

cinnamon powder or dust are scattered for good pest control.

 

He has a rice bank of 25 traditional varieties.

 

He has created a market for the farmers and given it to them. There is great

potential in organic farming and especially in exports where they are prepared

to pay a premium. He is creating awareness in consumers and customers preaching

to them why they should eat organic food. There are theme shops in Bangalore,

Chennai, Mysore and Ooty which now have an interest in organic products. He has

had the greatest success with sugar cane, making most delicious powdered

jaggery.

 

It is so important for spiritual development to eat proper food. After all what

were the Pandavas eating? We should remove the 3 W's from our diet: white rice,

white flour, and white sugar. All ISKCON temples should have 20 acres to grow

their own pure food to offer to the Lord and sustain the devotees.

 

Jai Caitanya modestly says: "If I can do this on this land, anybody can do it."

He has made a blueprint for 2 to 3 acre farms and 2 cows with a market hub and

a spiritual hub and says that ISKCON should lead the way in rural development.

 

If you would like to get in touch with Jai Caitanaya, his e-mail address is:

jnk (AT) blr (DOT) vsnl.net.in