Category Archives: Organic Farming
Mr. Anathoo speaking on SAFE FOOD
An interactive session with Mr. Anathoo at Sustainable Livelihood Institute (SLI)
- An activist with deep commitment towards sustainability and involved in setting up several amazing ventures related to organic farming including ReStore (www.restore.org.in),OFM (www.ofmtn.in) and Tula (tula.org.in), an orgnaic cotton initiative. He has also been recently involved with the anti-GM Mustard campaign as well as the force behind organising the National Seed Savers & Diversity Festival at Anna University, Chennai.
Mr. Anathoo clearly states how commercialization of the agriculture industry is literally poisoning our food and our lives. In his talk in SLI, he presented with some serious facts and figures clearly pointing out the trend the agriculture industry in adopting by allowing practices like genetically modifies seeds which is a great fraud to our nutritional needs but also encourages the culture of heavy fertilizer and pesticide use. He stresses on the urgency on the consumers to become aware and start demanding for standardized and organic produce which is not only healthy to human but also keep the natural cycle of cultivation in check which supports the entire biosphere connected to producing and harvesting crops.
New FoodLink Opening Ceremonies
March 22 was the day the new FoodLink complex held its formal opening ceremonies.
FoodLink is the marketing connection for Auroville's 19 farms. Beginning with a blessing and song and ending with a walk through the FoodLink Farm, Auroville Radio is bringing it to you.
Interviewees are, Dorle, the architect; Lakshmi, who packages at the current facility; Jeff, a long time farmer; Adit, Raji and Gino, who were enjoying the procedings; Thomas who gives a historical background; Christian and Flore from Auro Orchard, and Vivek, doctor of organic farming who is insuring healthy and productive growings at FoodLink Farm.
Organic book by Nina Osswald
Last Wednesday night, Nina Osswald, who co-authored "Organic food marketing in urban centres of India" together with Manoj K. Menon, gave us a very interesting and instructive presentation at the Freeland bookshop. Her research is based on how organic food is being marketed and sold in Indian cities. The presentation focused on key challenges and success strategies for this. Organic food is becoming more readily available in Hyderabad, Mumbai and Bangalore. Osswald is currently working on an organic farm in Auroville in order to gain some practical farming experience.
What's Up AuroAnnam?
AuroAnnam Farm is among Auroville's oldest parcels of land. Most recently it was a demonstration site for organic cashews. Mawite has been caring for AuroAnnam and putting energy into making it a lively yet peaceful green entryway into Auroville. There is a question whether Auroville will keep the land or exchange it, making future plans for the place somewhat tenuous. Hear Mawite explain the situation at AuroAnnam on Earth Day weekend - first with a walk around the land and chant led by Kaya, then a presentation back at the Farmers' Cafe.
Revival of heritage seeds
The 3rd Auroville and Puducherry Village Heritage Festival - 2016 hosted at Bamboo land, Kottakarai witnessed various traditional and heritage stalls from villages around Auroville. Mr.Kavithai Ganeshan who is involved in heritage seed planting has shared his experience with us regarding heritage seeds and the importance of returning to traditional lifestyle.
Our Food, Our Community?
We met Krishna this morning at Solitude kitchen, where manoges were already put on the shelves, and women planning the delicious lunch out of vegetables, grains and fruits picked up today form the farm. Krishna's personal path, an evolution over past 21 years brought him to the point when he is trying actively connect all the members of community into food production on our lands. Initiative with name "Slow Food Movement" is for the people, to be proactive and interactive, shifting form individual to a collective level, each taking a part.
Basket for busy people
On Monday the FOOD LINK opened up a new service - a busy people basket, which' is for people who work and can only come later when all good food is taken. So whoever' cant come can call food link or Gino and they will tell you what is the current situation in stock of vegetables, fruits, and processed food,, and you can take your order, and pick it up later. !!!
Auroville Agriculture in 2015
Five years ago with FAMC funding, the entire Auroville Agriculture was evaluated and a five year play was developed - ASAP 2011.
Five years on, Jeff, the farm manager at Discipline Farm in Auroville, talks about where we are from the perspective of a farmer and contributor to this plan: Discipline Farm in the cycle of the year, Auroville Sustainable Agriculture in the cycle of ASAP 2011 and over the next five years.
Nina's interview on her book
After her presentation at the Freeland bookshop Nina gave us a special interview on her book explaining where, how and why "Organic food marketing in urban centres of India". She is actually in Auroville working at Solitude farm to get some practical farming experience. She finds that Auroville would need help to know how to manage more successfully organic food in order to make it more available. She also finds Auroville is a great place to learn because of the amount of organic farms and the good eco system it offers.
Terra Soul
Terra Soul is a new farm project. They are making possible, combining the farm with a rich community life. Thanks to the workshops they are doing, attracts many volunteers, and can make possible a harmonious sustainability. Juan is one of the stewards of Terra Soul.