Growing rice on the Terrace

Rice grown on bed of 8 inches Amrut Mitti mulched with sugarcane bagasse

It is said that to grow rice one needs to flood the feilds with water. How do we know? We in Mumbai have never seen rice feilds leave alone know whether the feild needs to be flooded or not.So we started our experiment to grow rice on a terrace!
And we succeeded! The lush green grass swaying in the stong wind filled our hearts with joy. We can only imagine the joy the farmers must feel while they watch the fruits of their hard labour in open feilds.

Well it is possible to feel this joy in urban areas too......
We are now watching the wonders of this crop drying , the rush of birds to feed on this crop, and our gardeners shooing them away, possesively gaurding their treasure!

Let us wait and watch the final yeild that we get... Patience! Patience!

After a month

Just as we were to harvest the rice .....On Dassehra day it rained cats and dogs in Mumbai......It poured......! My heart sank. It was a holiday and our kitchen was closed. The rice was all wet!

I deeply felt the pain of all the farmers who work so hard in the feilds and are faced with hardships in case of such calamities beyond their control.For us urbanites these calamities dont even cause a flutter. We only realise their impact when the prices of food touches the skies and we crib about them.All we do then is to blame the government in power.

The next day when we went on the terrace.....we realised there had been a party ! By Rats! They had eaten away the rice which was scattered all over the place......

WE SHOULD HAVE HARVESTED IT ON TIME ! A LESSON WELL LEARNT!

In spite of this all we did not have the heart to cut away the remaining parts so we retained the plants. In a few days there were new shoots which sprouted! But the root growth was not vigourous and we decided to cut away what was remaining. After the rats party what remained was about 50 gms.....

More than three times had been eaten away by them. So we can assume that about 150 gms of rice was cultivated in a bed of Amrut Mitti measuring 1.5 ft * 3 ft * 8 inch ht .

NOW WE HAVE DECIDED TO START ALL OVER AGAIN WITH A WINTER CROP ON A BIGGER BED....... : ) WILL GET BACK WITH RESULTS.........

City Farming Workshop on 27th Sept 09

With the threat of Global Warming, the poison in our food, the decline in contact with Nature and rising stress levels, city farms have become the need of the day. If left to itself Nature will not leave a stone unturned in greening every inch of space. The bright green wild weeds growing even in the small spaces, nooks and corners: above our bus stops shelters, corners of the road are a testimony to this. Nature shows us the way and Natueco connects us to nature. So dear friends register for the workshop and take the initiative to create a city farm in your area. You will not only be rewarded with the sweet fruits of your labour but will also inspire and lead others. Register and participate in a workshop on 27th September 09 at Maharashtra Nature Park from 9.00 am to 4.00 pm.
For registration contact :
Suresh Paranjpe at sureshparanjpe@yahoo.com
Contact No: 9930440286 OR
Jyoti Bhave at bhave0709@gmail.com Contact No : 9819444905

View Photos of workshop here : http://picasaweb.google.co.in/preetisunil/HowToInitiateYourNatuecoCityFarmAWorkshopHeldByURBANLEAVESAtMNPOn27thSept2009?feat=directlink

Workshop 'How to initiate you own City Farm" Events-- 7th JUNE 2009

A session on " How to initiate your own City Farm" was conducted at Maharashtra Nature Park on 7th June 2009 from 9.00 am to 1 pm. The session was organised by "Urban Leaves" an initiative of Vidya Varidhi Trust. Preeti Patil l conducted the lecture session and demonstration.
The photographs of the workshop can be viewed at
http://picasaweb.google.co.in/preetisunil/WorkshopAtMaharashtraNaturePark7609?feat=directlink
Date for next workshop will be announced in July 2009.

Farm fresh Recipes _ Herbal Tea

With Thanks and warm regards to Dr. Vijaya Venkat and Associates

I attended the course on nutrition Re-education programme at the HEALTH AWARENESS CENTER and the caption which read –
HEALTH CARE IS SELF CARE IS EARTH CARE
immediately connected with me. My experiences in Natueco City farming have made me realize the importance of sustainability in harmonious relationship with the environment.

At the center I learnt to use the farm fresh food in the most effective way so as to enable the body to make use of all the nutrition the food is capable ofproviding. I learnt – Quote “Nutrition is much more than food. In fact proper nutrition involves the whole sphere of living. It covers our basic needs like food, air, sunshine, rest and relaxation. It also involves our interaction with the environment, our relationships, and our capacity for creativity and activity. It is only through adequate nutrition that health and healthful living can be achieved.
Fitness can be achieved through exercise. But exercise is only one aspect of Health. Exercise is not restricted to muscular flexibility or supple tendons. Exercise can also be walking, dancing, gardening, singing, taking the stairs, yoga, meditation etc… exercising is the joy of activity – be it cooking or weight lifting or climbing a mountain. Activity is therefore one aspect of health.
Even eating the most perfect raw natural foods everyday will not magically conjure up health. Food is only the stepping stone aided by our choices, to attain good health. Health foods served in spas, gyms are manufactured in a factory that only serve to pollute the air, water, space land and her resources.” -- The handbook of Nutrition Re education Programme (The Health awareness Center)

These external factors are more important to health than anyone of us would believe. Even plants receive 98% of the nutrition from the atmosphere. Only 2% from the soil ! This 2% is what gives vital energy to our food. Damage to Earth and her resources directly inflicts damage on us.

“With growth of the science of ecology (including the various aspects of pollution) the connection between our own natural wealth (health) and health (wealth) of the planet has been established. Our body is the greatest ecological system ever designed. The human organisms symbiotic relationship within themselves and with all organisms within the environment is the biggest testimony to all this. The natural laws that all organisms in the world around us listen to are the same laws that we as humans are meant to abide by. These laws were crafted by nature for a healthy life. (There were no hospitals, no doctors, and no medicines in the wild) yet they are ruled by the same laws of creation that govern people.

Attuning ourselves and regaining our consciousness to this web of nature is what it also takes to be healthy. Here is an attempt to share some farm fresh recipes that we have learnt over the years from books, friends and teachers at the center.

Recipes with farm fresh produce.

HERBAL TEA

This month we begin with the Herbal Tea. Herbal teas can be made with fresh or dried flowers, leaves, seeds or roots, generally by pouring boiling water over the plant parts and letting them steep for a few minutes. Check out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herbal_tea

We make our herbal tea using ingredients shown below.

The photo above depicts how the ingredients can be planted on the terrace or a farm. Design courtesy my good friend Sabrina Modak.

Ingredients:

Lemon Grass
Mint (Pudina)
Tulsi (Holy Basil)
Ginger
Organic Jaggery (Optional)
Lime (Optional)

Also some red Hibuscus flowers if available

Mix the herbs and boil with water till you smell a fresh aroma of all the herbs. Strain and drink.

As I was making a catalog of the 150 varieties of plants on the MbPT terrace I realised that there is actually a whole pharmacy up there.

A few medinal benefits of the ingredients:

Lemon Grass
Botanical Name: Cymbopogon citratus
Common Name : Lemon grass
Family : Poaceae( Grass family)
Native to India
Propagated by division of clumps

Citronella is known for its calming effect that relieves insomnia or stress. It is also considered as a mild insect repellant. But more than scent, lemon grass provides a lot of health benefits. Studies have shown that the lemon grass has antibacterial and antifungal properties. Drank as tea, it is an effective diuretic.
A recent study by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the department of Science and technology ( DOST ) claims that every 100g of lemon grass when boiled can contain up to 24.205 micrograms of beta-carotene the anti-oxidant that scientists believe can help prevent cancer. Another DOST study shows that lemon grass oil has the potential as a tropical eye medication against keratomycosis, an inflammation of cornea often associated with burning or blurring of vision.

Ginger
Botanical Name : Zingiber officinale
Common Name : Ginger
Family : Zingiberaceae
Native to Southeast Asia
Propagated by rhizome
Ginger has been revered in Indian and Chinese civilizations for over 5000 years for its powerful health imparting properties. In fact, Indian ginger is said to have the most potent medicinal properties. Danish researchers found that ginger can block the effects of prostaglandin - a substance that cause inflammation of the blood vessels in the brain and can lead to migraines.
nausea, digestive problems, circulation and arthritis. Nausea caused during pregnancy or by travelling is one of the benefits of ginger root. Ginger is also known to have the ability to calm an upset stomach and to promote the flow of bile. Stomach cramps can be eased and circulation can also be improved. Ginger supports a healthy cardiovascular system by making platelets less sticky which in turn reduces circulatory problems.Ginger oil used for massage can help relieve painful arthritis due to its anti-inflammatory properties. Ginger is often included in many herbal decongestants and can help to minimize the symptoms of respiratory conditions, colds and allergies.

Tulsi
Botanical Name : Ocimum tenuiflorum
Common Name : Holy Basil
Family : Lamiaceae
Native to India
Propagated by seeds

The tulsi plant has many medicinal properties. The leaves are a nerve tonic and also sharpen memory. They promote the removal of the catarrhal matter and phlegm from the bronchial tube. The leaves strengthen the stomach and induce copious perspiration. The seed of the plant are mucilaginous.The leaves of basil are specific for many fevers.
During the rainy season, when malaria and dengue fever are widely prevalent, tender leaves, boiled with tea, act as preventive against these diseases. In case of acute fevers, a decoction of the leaves boiled with powdered cardamom in half a liter of water and mixed with sugar and milk brings down the temperature. The juice of tulsi leaves can be used to bring down fever. Extract of tulsi leaves in fresh water should be given every 2 to 3 hours. In between one can keep giving sips of cold water. In children, it is very effective in bringing down the temperature.
Other benefits include: Help heal Cough, sore throat, respiratory disorders, Kidney stone, heart disorder, mouth infections, insect bites, Headaches, skin disorders, eye disorders……

Pudina
Botanical Name : Mentha Arvensis.
Family: Lamiaceae
Native of America
Propagated by rhizomes

Mint is refreshing, stimulative, diaphoretic, stomachic, and antispasmodic. It helps in colds, flu, fever, poor digestion, motion sickness, food poisoning, rheumatism, hiccups, stings, ear aches, flatulence and for throat and sinus ailments.
.
References for medicinal Benefits:

http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/9-2-2006-107399.asp

http://www.healthandyoga.com/html/product/gteabeni.html

http://hinduism.about.com/od/ayurveda/a/tulsibenefits.htm

http://www.nutritional-supplements-health-guide.com/benefits-of-ginger.html

Farm Fresh Recipes - Eat what you grow and grow what you eat

Spinach Salad
Packed with nutrients.

Chop ingredients as shown below

Tomatoes from the farm
Fresh Spinach free from any pesticides, from your own little green patch

Green cucumbers, crispy and cooling

Sweet tender corn


Lime and lemony

Ingredients:

Spinach
Tomato
Cucumber
Sweet Corn
Peanut Powder
Rock Salt to taste
Lime juice

Chop spinach, cucumber and tomato finely. Steam (optional , can be added raw) sweet corn. Mix all ingredients together and add peanut powder, lime juice and salt to taste.Enjoy the power packed meal and pave your way to a healthy CITY FARMERS lifestyle.....

How to use Amrut Mitti on the terrace farm

Material Required on the terrace

1. Sugarcane Bagass

2. Amrut Mitti

3. Aerated containers like Baskets, drums with base cut off and holes drilled on the side.

4. Organic kitchen waste
Method :

Take aerated containers as shown below.

Soak sugarcane bagass in Amrut jal and fill 40% of the containers with the same as shown below

Fill in Amrut Mitti

Plant the sapling in it.

Cover or mulch it again with Sugarcane bagass.

Now everyday add a fistful of pulvarised/finely chopped organic kitchen waste to it.

The waste can be finely chopped or pulverized and added on the bagass. After every 15 days a layer of sugarcane bagass should again be added.

A word of Caution :

There is no shortcut to this technique. It is important to make your soil for the following reasons.

1. This soil has a high microbial content which decomposes the waste that is added daily. If any other soil is used instead of Amrut mitti, the decomposition may not happen at a desired level .

2. The soil is rich in nutrition and has good structure, Right pH, and good % of organic carbon thereby making plants pest free, reducing water requirements.

3. Do not feed the plants with too much enthusiasm. The rate of decomposition has to match the amount of waste added. If one is more than the other one might see fruit flies etc. At such times stop adding waste and sprinkle with dry soil.

What are the sources of procuring the materials required?

Sugarcane Bagass can be procured from Sugarcane juice vendors…In Mumbai they are available throughout the year and the vendor is too happy to do away with it.
“Amrut Mitti” should be made at your own premises. The relationship developed with the growing local microbes makes for better sustainability of the microbes.

Aerated containers like laundry baskets, bamboo baskets can be purchased from open market. Scrap drums of Oil paint etc… can be recycled as containers for planting. Holes should be drilled towards the peripheral base for releasing heat during decomposition.

Plants and saplings can be planted directly on the slab by floowing the same procedure.

There is no cause of worry as roots do not enter the slab to any harm to the structure. They stop growing at the point where they do not get soil.