Category Archives: Agriculture

Growing roots of tomorrow: Chamarajnagar resident shows way

August 9, 2019Agriculture, Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environmentadmin

Sunlight filters through the forest. Cool and fresh air invigorates you. Staying far from the madding crowd and surrounded by nature, your happiness quotient could be high.

On his five-acre farmland in Kaniyanapura village, Karthik Davey has given a new meaning to the best usage of degraded lands and management of scarce resources.

Chamarajanagar :

Sunlight filters through the forest. Cool and fresh air invigorates you. Staying far from the madding crowd and surrounded by nature, your happiness quotient could be high. But living on the edge of a forest is not so easy. And when one lives close to a tiger reserve, one has to look for solutions which are sustainable in such a fragile surrounding. For Karthik Davey, the wilds of Bandipur became his home after a decade-long stay in Germany. On his five-acre farmland in Kaniyanapura village of Chamarajnagar district, he has given a new meaning to the best usage of degraded lands and management of scarce resources.

Everybody wants to come to forests, but where is the system to manage the waste or the sewage that is generated in these pristine surroundings, he asks. During weekends, people come in hordes while there is no system for sewage disposal, garbage segregation or collection of waste. Realizing the shortcomings, Davey has shown how to maintain, harvest and recycle available resources in the dry deciduous surroundings where there is scarcity of every resource.

Davey has converted degraded lands using organic solutions while at the same time he is recycling used water for nondrinking purposes. Be it conversion of sewage water, tapping wind and solar energy for lighting and other purposes, he says they are suitable for rural areas which have no access to water or power supply or have any system for sewage disposal. Further, the waste that is generated in the kitchen is bio-digested. During the monsoon months, rainwater is harvested by installing small check ponds. Says Rahul Agarwal, cofounder, Earthcare, “Davey has undertaken several steps to ensure that nature doesn’t only survive but also thrives by creating several redundant systems.

By creating various ponds and greywater recycling pits, he has made a much-needed water positive impact in an eco-sensitive zone. He has also created a mini forest with tall trees and other bushes and plants where just outside his property you can see the forest land is degraded and no one to care for it.” Davey is a self-made person. He lost his arm in a car accident 21 years ago. He was working for a travel company in Chennai but had to leave it and found succour in Frankfurt where he set up his own company in the hospitality sector. However, returning to India – he settled down in the wilds of Bandipur – taking up organic farming and setting up a homestay – very close to nature.

He is married to a German who partners him in his business activities. Relaxing in the cool backdrop of the Nilgiri Mountains, Davey describes his 12-year-long journey in converting his land into a sustainable and workable solution where people come and stay with him and get a feel of the wilderness and their proximity to nature. Even as his pets – the dholes roam around him affectionately for any tidbits — he says, “My idea was to work from any place but which was wild and had openness. After returning to India, I was looking for a place to settle down and kept coming back to Bandipur – attracted by dholes. Falling in love with its natural beauty, I purchased land here and it took me over two years of thought process to convert this piece of land into a place with least carbon footprint.”

The concept of decentralization has been used for power, water and sewage disposal for each of the rooms in his homestay. His ideas included solar panels about 20 metres, installation of septic tanks, separate lines for hot water, natural aeration with high ceilings, rainwater harvesting and of course, an old method for sewage treatment – the Reed Bed System which goes back in time. Reed beds are aquatic plant-based systems which allow bacteria, fungi and algae to digest the sewage and clean the water. He says, “We live in a world with finite resources and therefore, every resource is precious and has to be managed with great care especially groundwater which is available here only at 600 feet. My living here has been challenging. I take people along while villagers who work for me are part of this sustainable system and do their bit to take it forward.” “We ensure that we leave nothing behind on nature’s trail except a big eco-friendly carbon free footprint. We make sure the wilderness stays with us,” Davey says.

Dholes’ Den

Dholes’ Den, the unique homestay, set up with sustainable solutions, is an oasis that is dedicated to the Asiatic Wild Dog which Davey says is one of the most fascinating hunters in the Indian jungle with a complex and unique social hierarchy. And he says, “It is our endeavour to emphasize the importance and the beauty of this animal which wrongly stands in the shadow of bigger animals like the tiger, leopard or elephant and win support for the conservation of the jungle in Bandipur with the dhole as its mascot.”

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by Meera Bharadwaj / Express News Service / August 04th, 2019

Kidwai launches ‘eco-clinic’ with medicinal plants

July 5, 2019Agriculture, Records, All, Science & Technologyadmin

Saplings being planted at the Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology. | Photo Credit: Handout E Mail

Aims to create an atmosphere of positivity, serenity and wellness for patients and their families

In order to create and enhance an atmosphere of positivity, serenity and wellness for patients and their families at Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology (KMIO), the hospital management, along with a few NGOs, on Friday planted around 240 species of tree saplings and around 400 species of herbs and shrubs. This green initiative will serve a dual purpose as most of the species are indigenous, medicinal ayurvedic plants.

KMIO had earlier planted around 2,000 tree saplings, shrubs and herbs in two phases. But this is the first time that they are predominantly using medicinal plants.

The species planted on Friday comprise Rudraksha, Ramphal, Brami, Bakula, Jamun, and Lakshman Phal. Flower and fruit-bearing trees have also been planted with the aim of getting more birds, butterflies and squirrels to the campus.

Dr. C. Ramachandra, Director of KMIO, said that such species would not only help the environment but also induce positivity and wellness in patients. “Greenery around the hospital will give relief to stressed cancer patients. We are noticing early positive signs in patients now. Many are happy and some have even volunteered to help in the maintenance work,” he said.

Raising concern over depleting tree cover in urban areas, environmentalist A.N. Yellappa Reddy of Bangalore Environment Trust said that such initiatives are the need of the hour. “This ‘eco-clinic’ increases the quality of air and gives comfort to patients and visitors,” he said.

The project is following the afforestation technique known as Miyawaki after the Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki. G.S. Bhaskar, chairman of Eco Committee of Rotary Bangalore Midtown, which sponsored the samplings, told The Hindu that the Miyawaki method helps in speedy growth of flora even in urban areas which have turned into concrete jungles. “This method will definitely have a positive environmental impact,” he said.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Bengaluru / by Staff Reporter / July 15th, 2019

Fancy a cup of jaffee?

June 1, 2019Agriculture, Business & Economy, Records, Alladmin

Shivanna with a packet of ‘jaffee’ beverage developed by him. | Photo Credit: B.S. Satish Kumar

How about a steaming cup of ‘jaffee’ to wake you up in the morning? A social entrepreneur has come up with a hot beverage made out of jackfruit seeds. Jaffee powder is made by roasting jackfruit seeds. The drink is prepared just like coffee, by blending it with milk.

Developed by engineer-turned-social entrepreneur Shivanna, jaffee was one of the main attractions at the two-day mango and jackfruit diversity fair being organised by the Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR) at its Hessarghatta campus from Tuesday.

Many said it tasted ‘“slightly different’ from coffee. Shivanna, 62, says, “It is not an alternative to coffee, but a health drink, as it is rich in fibre, protein and carbohydrates. Also, it is free from gluten and caffeine.”

Mr. Shivanna heads Parivarthan, a social organisation involved in rural development in Sakrayapatna in the coffee-growing district of Chikkamagaluru in Karnataka. He developed this product while trying to experiment with diversification of jackfruit products to increase the use of the underutilised fruit and to get better remuneration for growers.

“Though I developed jaffee around 2014, I have not gone for full-fledged commercialisation. I am selling this only through direct marketing to who approaches me,” he says. He has priced jaffee at ₹90 for 100 grams.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Bengaluru / by B.S. Satish Kumar / May 29th, 2019

Sthitaprajna : How an accountant brought a three-acre forest to life

April 27, 2019Agricultureadmin

Deers, nilgais, pigs, wild boars, monkeys, porcupines, peacocks and rabbits are often spotted.

Shankar Narayan (EPS | Rajesh Shetty Ballalbagh)

Ten years ago, when Shankar Narayan, an accountant started out, it was an ordinary piece of land. Today, the three-acre area located in Byndoor, Mangaluru, sports a mini forest housing wild animals and birds. Borrowing from the Bhagavad Gita, Shankar named it ‘Sthitaprajna’, which translates to stable-minded.

Shankar recalls, “I bought the land in 2008. Then I purchased 2,000 saplings. Some I planted but many wild plants grew on their own. The birds did their bit as well.”

He then inaugurated ‘Sthitaprajna’ on November 1 in 2009, which is also World Vegan Day. Since then he has been a committed vegan (he was appointed as Regional Coordinator for South and West Asia and India for World Vegan Day) and has been celebrating the vegan festivals here annually.

During the inauguration, 25 vegans from Bengaluru turned up. And with the addition of another 150 non-vegans, the event turned into a festival, recalls Shankar. “I thought that instead of organising in a hotel or a non-vegan place, it would be a good idea to organise World Vegan Day here,” he says. The fare during the event is mostly traditional south Indian food, all veganised. In 2019, the festival will be celebrated between August 9 and 11.

Initially, Sthitaprajna had no electricity or pucca road and the nearest public transport was 4 kms away. Staying in a simple cottage, Shankar’s lifestyle might as well have resembled that of a hermit. The cool, calm and beautiful ambience could be a dream location for any homestay but with the place sporting two cottages, it best doubles as an ashram.

“People can come and stay here but with an advance appointment. There are no servants and no fixed facilities. It’s a compromise between a forest and a civilised life. There are no fixed charges, though a voluntary contribution is accepted,” says the 53-year-old.

The nearby stream, which is seasonal in nature, adds a beautiful touch to this man-made forest.

“During one of the vegan festivals, many participants swam in the river,” says the nature enthusiast adding that monsoons are the best time to visit the place, which also coincides with the annual vegan festival.

Deers, nilgais, pigs, wild boars, monkeys, porcupines, peacocks and rabbits are often spotted. Shankar also claims to have encountered a tiger on his way back home late at the night. A recent addition to Sthitaprajna is the sky observation tower. “There is no pollution to mar the beauty of the night sky and one might as well time-travel,” smiles Shankar.

The place is also a litter-free and silent zone with zero-tolerance towards plastic.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Magazine / by Sunita Raghu / April 21st, 2019

Upset over Malnad’s loss of green cover, businessman creates mini forest

March 4, 2019Agricultureadmin

He sets aside a portion of his profits for nurturing the Eshwara Vana that was established on World Environment Day, June 5, 2016.

Shivamogga :

At a time when there is a hue and cry over deforestation in Malnad region, a small-time businessman has managed to turn his one-acre into a forest with more than 35 varieties of trees. Interestingly, it is open to visitors. Nagesh, a caterer, bought the land in Abbalagere village, about 6km from Shivamogga on the way to Shikaripur and planned to develop the land into a forest which he has named ‘Eshwara Vana’. Talking to TNSE, he said, “My idea was to develop a forest and I planted about 350 saplings of trees found in our Malnad forest region.”

He sets aside a portion of his profits for nurturing the Eshwara Vana that was established on World Environment Day, June 5, 2016. “As rains have receded over the last few decades, Malnad region is turning into ‘bayalu seeme’ (plains). The depletion of forest has turned the region into a barren land. Hence, it is our responsibility to improve the green cover. This is a tiny effort towards development of forests,” said Nagesh.

Nagesh visits Eshwara Vana thrice a week to water the plants. The forest has a small house, toilets and water facility. While solar power is used for fencing, electricity is used for drip irrigation of the plants.
Eshwara Vana open to all Nagesh invites everyone to visit the forest and spend time there. Visitors can have food and also offer puja to the Shiva Linga installed there. “Visitors can contact the guard and spend time there.

If they wish to water the plants or offer puja, they can. My only request is ensure cleanliness and not to throw plastic or waste,” said Nagesh. A board has been put up by the side of the road. Travellers going towards Shikaripur can take a short break at the Eshwara Vana. “Nagesh has become a model to others. He is the first person to join us when we go for watering the plants in the city,” said his friend Janardhan Pai. Those interested can contact Nagesh on 98442-82504.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by Ramachandra V. Gunani / Express News Service / March 03rd, 2019

Mudhol hounds in high demand among estate owners

February 28, 2019Agriculture, Business & Economyadmin

The hound’s aggressive nature, aptitude for hunting, ability to chase, good stamina and obedience to the owner makes them popular on estates.

A file picture of a Mudhol hound | Express

Vijayapura :

After their introduction in the Indian armed forces, paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force and police squads, the hounds of Mudhol are now in demand among estate owners of Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.Coffee and tea planters are showing a keen interest in keeping these faithful hunters on their properties to chase away crop raiding wild animals, and also for vigilance on estates.

The hound’s aggressive nature, aptitude for hunting, ability to chase, good stamina and obedience to the owner makes them popular on estates. Another reason is their low maintenance cost of less than `3,000 per month. The Canine Research and Information Centre (CRIC) in Thimmapur, near Mudhol of Bagalkot, is the official breeding centre of the dog. CRIC functions under the Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University of Bidar. The demand for Mudhol hounds has increased in the past five years, say authorities at CRIC, which provides a good platform for marketing the hounds.

CRIC has at least 38 Mudhol hounds which are used for breeding. Every year, more than 130 to 140 puppies are sold at this centre and around 60% of the customers are estate owners from Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The Mudhol puppies are sold at a price of `19,000 a pair. The male puppy costs `10,000 and female `9,000.

CRIC is struggling to meet the demands of estate owners, a few of whom have returned empty-handed. Dr Mahesh S Dodamani, head of CRIC, receives at least 10 phone calls from people from other states, asking about the availability of Mudhol hounds. Some families in the region which have taken up breeding of the hound, which also meets the demand to a large extent.

Dr Doddamani told TNIE, “Mudhol hounds are mainly in demand from coffee and tea estates of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The owners believe that the Mudhol is more faithful than the other breeds and use these faithful hunters mainly to chase away wild animals and also to guard their properties. But we don’t have the same demand from estate owners of Karnataka.”

He concedes that CRIC is unable to meet the huge requirement for the dog. “Mudhol puppies are sold only in two seasons in a year. We sell the puppies on ‘first come first serve’ basis. After the Indian armed forces inducted the Mudhol hound, demand has doubled,” he added.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by Mahesh M. Gowdar / Express News Service / February 26th, 2019

Mysuru cocoon market opens

February 24, 2019Agriculture, Business & Economy, Records, Alladmin

inister for Sericulture S.R. Mahesh, Minister for Higher Education G.T. Deve Gowda, and Mayor Pushpalatha Jagannath at the cocoon market in Mysuru on Sunday.

A publicity campaign was held in Manyda, Mysuru, and Chamarajanagar earlier

A cocoon market began functioning on the Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) Yard in Bandipalya on the outskirts of Mysuru on Sunday with more than 3,000 kg of cocoons auctioned on the first day.

The cocoon market in Mysuru will have to vie with established markets in Ramanagaram, Malavalli, T. Narsipura, Kollegal and Santhemarahalli, among other places in the region.

Nataraj, Joint Director of Sericulture, Mysuru, said the cocoon market received a good response. More than 3,000 kg of cocoon was sold. The maximum price was ₹413 per kg and the lowest was ₹280 per kg.

Officials of the Department of Sericulture had carried out a publicity campaign in sericulture-intensive areas of Manyda, Mysuru and Chamarajanagar ahead of the start of the cocoon market here.

A cocoon market in Mysuru will be of convenience to farmers in the region as they can avoid the expenditure otherwise incurred on transporting produce to other far away markets. “For farmers who grow other produce, a cocoon market in Mysuru will help them bring the cocoons to the APMC yard and sell other produce too,” Mr. Nataraj said.

Earlier, Minister for Sericulture S.R. Mahesh, who inaugurated the market, recalled Mysuru’s more than two centuries old agricultural tradition of sericulture introduced during rule of Tipu Sultan. Presently, more than 12 lakh families are dependent on sericulture in Karnataka with Mysuru earning a name for itself in the silk industry.

In the absence of a cocoon market in Mysuru, efforts were made to establish a market to cater to districts of Chamarajanagar and Mandya along with Mysuru, which together had a total of 36,000 growers and 735 reelers.

55 cocoon markets

Karnataka, which is the leading silk producer in the country, has a total of 55 cocoon markets including 20 seed cocoon markets and 35 commercial silk cocoon markets.

Mr. Nataraj said the cocoon market was presently functioning from a premises rented from the APMC yard. The buyers and sellers have to pay 1% of the transaction amount as market fees.

Though the department was facing a shortage of staff in Mysuru to handle the affairs of the market, about five persons including a demonstrator, a first division assistant, and an inspector have been drawn from different places to assist them in the functioning of the cocoon market.

5,000 acres of land

According to Javare Gowda, Deputy Director of Sericulture, Mysuru, Mysuru district alone has mulberry cultivation spread across more than 5,000 acres of land in 600 villages with more than 3,300 farmers and their families engaged in sericulture activities. “A total of 70,000 to 75,000 kg of cocoons are reared in Mysuru every month,” he said.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / Mysuru – February 24th, 2019

Inspiring village near Karwar shows the way forward

February 24, 2019Agriculture, Amazing Feats, Business & Economy, Records, Alladmin

If you want to know what a model Green Village looks like, then you have to visit Satageri near Karwar.

Solar light and battery at a house in Satageri

Karwar :

If you want to know what a model Green Village looks like, then you have to visit Satageri near Karwar. Until three years ago, women had to blow and invariably inhale the smoke while cooking on firewood. Not any more. Now they boast of an LPG connection. This is not the only clean and green change in this village.

Satageri, located about 25 km from Karwar and surrounded by forests of the Western Ghats, proudly displays solar power, LPG connection and toilet in every house. Solar lamps light up the houses. People do not throw any waste on the streets, and even make vermicompost for use in their garden and fields. The village, with 70 houses and a population of about 270, sets an example of how people can live with forest and nature without harming it.

“We are happy to live here and nobody is interested in leaving the village any more,” says Gajer Vaikuntha Marathe, a farmer from Satageri.The villagers cannot thank the forest department enough for the change that it ushered into their hamlet over three years ago. The forest department took Satageri under its wing in 2016, as part of the Green Village and Smokeless Village schemes of the state government.

It distributed free LPG connections and two solar light systems to each house. A total of 12 solar street lights were also set up.According to a senior forest officer, since 34 houses already had LPG connections, they distributed free connections to the remaining 36 houses. All the people were also given fruit and flower saplings, and encouraged to grow trees near their houses. The place has now been converted into a Green Village.

The situation was far different here earlier. The village was like many others in the country. People collected firewood from the forest, electricity was a nightmare during the monsoon months and the surroundings, though enveloped by a verdant green cover, were not clean.Women had to go to the forest every day to collect firewood, otherwise they faced shortage to meet the daily household needs, says Malita Mohan Marathe, talking about how the practice has been stopped over the last three years since food in every house is now cooked using LPG.

Gajer Vaikuntha too points out that all the villagers have happily adopted the new way of life. Each house got a toilet constructed under the Gram Panchayat scheme.Vinod Marathe, who runs an autorickshaw, says he earlier used to pay `100 towards the electricity bill every month, but the charges have come down by half after solar light system was installed at his house. His family uses electricity only to watch TV, and to run the refrigerator and mixer-grinder while the house is lit using solar power.

Satageri has a primary school, and after completing Class 5, children travel 3 km to Ulga village for pursuing higher education, including graduation and some professional courses. People here are engaged in various occupations, including farming, daily wage labour, and small businesses. Some of them work in Karwar and other nearby towns while four persons hold government jobs. Women mostly look after the house and work in their fields.

They are also involved in making vermicompost, and are part of the Village Forest Committee (VFC), that strives to conserve the forest and wildlife, and protect it from poachers. They plant saplings and take up other work with the forest department, for which the latter shares its profit with the VFC.Satageri, which comes under Gopishitta range forest, was selected to be developed as a model village in 2015-16, says K Ganapathi, Deputy Conservator of Forests, Karwar Division. He lauds the women of the village for their commitment towards protecting the forest. “We wish such VFCs come up in other villages too,” Ganapathi says.

What is a Green Village?
State forest department’s Green Village scheme aims to make the whole village smokeless by making people stop using firewood and opting for LPG stoves. Satageri village of Karwar taluk was selected under the scheme on a pilot basis.

Tackling Poverty
More than 65 families of the village have Below Poverty Line (BPL) cards, and all of them have enrolled in Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). They have been earning money by taking up activities such as developing the school ground, desilting the pond, and other works.

Natural Treasures
The village is surrounded by the thick and evergreen forest of Western Ghats. Along with precious wood, it is home to wildlife such as leopard and black panther. The Kali river flows just a few kilometres away from the village.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by Arunkumar Huralimath / Express News Service / February 24th, 2019

A joint family joins hands to grow organic food

February 10, 2019Agriculture, Green Initiatives / Environmentadmin

The Angadi family, owning 125 acres of ancestral farm land in Kiresur village of Hubballi taluk, has been doing joint family farming for several years.

Hubballi :

True role models they are. They live under one roof and work together on the field. All the 50 members of this joint family are at work in their fields at the first light. What’s more, they have converted nearly 70 acres of farmland into organic farming fields and are aiming to do more. They believe that this ‘green’ cultivation produces nutritious food without destroying the environment.

The Angadi family, owning 125 acres of ancestral farm land in Kiresur village of Hubballi taluk, has been doing joint family farming for several years. Elders of the family state that they have been cultivating since last seven decades and they switched over to organic farming five years ago due to drought in the region. And the results were surprising.

Kiresur village, located about 18km from Hubballi, is taking a leaf out of Angadi brothers’ method and trying to switch over to organic farming. The neighbouring farmers have realised that this type of farming requires less amount of water.Basavaraj Angadi, one of the family members, says that they have stopped using chemical fertilisers for four years now. “We grow chilli and chickpea (chana) on our land by using organice manure. We use the decomposed vegetables and other kitchen waste as manure. After we switched over to organic manure, the yield has increased by 20% every season. We are happy with both quality and quantity,” he says.

The village comes under the irrigation map of Malaprabha river basin. But as the area is facing drought for last few years, the farmers are not getting water in time. Several times the water released in the canals does not reach the village, or it is too late for the standing crops when the water arrives.“We are able to address the water scarcity issue by using organic manure. Usage of chemical fertilisers kills the soil strength. But the organic manure strengthens the soil and improves the yield as well. We are getting additional 5 quintals of harvest every season,” Basavaraj Angadi says.

Hanumanth Nagavi, another family member, says that after attending a seminar organised by the Agriculture department, the family decided to go in for organic farming. “We have no labour issues as all the women from the house help us in fields. They lend a helping hand whenever required. During harvest season, we do take labourers from outside. But as 50 members of the family do farming together, we have never felt a shortage of hands,” he adds.

This doesn’t mean that youngsters in the family are only occupied with farming. While they do help on the farm, they are also excelling in studies. Two of them are studying engineering in Bengaluru and daughter of Basavraj Angadi is pursuing MBBS in Davanagere college.“We used to spend a lot of money on chemical fertilisers. But after switching over to organic farming, we are saving money and also getting good yield. Already a dozen farmers in our village have adopted organic manure for their crops,” says Basavaraj Angadi.

Many in the village agree that this family is indeed an inspiration. Says Pradeep Badiger, a farmer from Kiresur village, that he was inspired by the success story of Angadi brothers and wanted to adopt organic farming in his field. “I am motivated by the Angadi family and have stopped using chemical fertilisers since one year. This year I am hoping for a better harvest,” he says.

GREEN CAUSE
The joint family in Kiresur village near Hubballi has been practising organic farming for the last five years The family has largest farmland in the village with 70 acres under cultivation out of 125 acres

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Bengaluru / by Kiran Balannanavar / Express News Service / February 10th, 2019

Living Food Company is all about the micro-green rage

February 1, 2019Agriculture, Business & Economyadmin

A company delivers 10 to 12 day old plants that are rich in nutrients and anti-oxidants

Akash K. Sajith was the Vice President of Customer Experience and Analytics at a firm when his life changed a couple of years ago, after both his parents became very ill.

This resulted in Akash starting to think about the nutrition value of the food we consume and the manner in which it is prepared. “I realised that good food is vital for good health. Real food is about trust and transparency. It is about ensuring quality and traceability at every step. We set up Living Food Company to provide the food we can trust and to meet a need to take control of our food production systems.”

Microgreen dreams

With his co-founders, Niranjan and Shikha, Akash decided to grow micro-greens, 10 to12-day old plants that are extremely rich in nutrients, antioxidants, essential vitamins and minerals. The Living Food Company grows and delivers the produce to households across the city and sells it to hotels such as the Hilton, Shangri-La and top chefs in the city.

Akash says, “We focus on growing highly nutritious micro-greens such as kale, broccoli, mizuna (Japanese mustard), pink radish, red chard and 15 other varieties. They are a rich source of vitamin A, B, C, E, proteins, calcium, iron, zinc, potassium, magnesium and folic acid. These essential nutrients are often neglected in our diets and the living greens help correct these nutritional imbalances. We aim at making these nutrient-rich foods affordable and accessible for the average urban Indian consumer and democratise access to super-foods.”

Describing the greens, Akash says, They are usually about one to three inches long and come in a rainbow of colours, which has made them popular in recent years as garnishes with chefs. We have climate-controlled hydroponics and aeroponics farms designed to eliminate soil contamination, enhance nutrition and preserve taste and flavour, making us one of the first climate-smart and sustainable farms in the country.”

There are daily and monthly subscription packs. “We deliver across the city. Koramangala, Whitefield and Indiranagar are areas where we have a good subscriber base. I am sure this will become more popular in the time to come.”

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Life & Style / by Nikhil Varma / February 01st, 2019

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