On the outskirts of Auroville, Tomas runs Annapurna, its largest (135-acres) organic farm. Experiments are ongoing to try to improve yields, using the most appropriate plant varieties and techniques for that particular environment and they are trying to work as ecologically as possible. But it will never be completely sustainable – economics still have an effect, diesel is needed for tractors and they are on the main electricity grid. Tomas says ideals are crucial, but realism is also needed so the farm produces enough to meet needs. He concludes: “it is continuously this kind of balancing out between ideals, between reality, between economics - it's life, that's how it is.”

Last newcomers reception, eight in the row, was held on the Discipline farm. Those receptions proved to be very interesting and useful for newcomers because on them they can get many informations about different communities and different ways of life in Auroville which otherwise they might not see or be aware off. Gino and Lisa showed us around, and we found out that the main crop here is papaya. As Gino explained Discipline farm tends not be only a producing farm but also sort of botanical garden where they experiment with various tropical fruits and vegetables. To be a farmer, as Gino told us, it requires special sensitivity and lots of knowledge.
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Herbert from Siddhartha Farm is here since 1993. After he arrived he started to work with agriculture which was hardly developed at that time. Promoting organic cultures he started Siddhartha Farm where he is trying to develop his ideals of a city producing its own needs.
If you want to know more about it click here and listen.

An Interview between Vivek and Selvam, a young Auroville farmer, who thinks many things could be changed here. Selvam gives us a glimpse of what life is like in Auroville as a farmer, and brings up some interesting ideas, like for example the one that everyone in Auroville should work on farms for some time, at some point. A view on the Community from a not often heard angle.

This event has been broadcast live and recorded.
Dipak Suchde, who was in Auroville in April this year for an organic farming workshop, is coming again on the 16th of August and will conduct another workshop for two days.
The first workshop generated a lot of interest both from Aurovilians and Ashramites and the organiser of these visits had been asked by many to invite him again.

Programme for Deepak Suchde’s Organic Farming workshop 16th and 17 August:
 
16th Aug 9.00am – 11.00am at the Conference  Room, Town Hall
This workshop is a sequel to the one conducted in April, so anyone who was not there, and wants to join this one is requested not to miss this session. This will be a summary of the important things that were explained last time, namely how to improve the soil quality, and plant health, how to find the feeder roots, the relation of the roots with the canopy and the quantity of the produce, common mistakes etc.

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