Surangam (tunnel) is a horizontal cave or well excavated in the mountains with super-condensed soil or rocks. The excavation itself is a tedious endeavor undertaken by generally 2 people. One for excavating and the other one to transport the the debris out. No machines are used as until now. The whole project takes many years to complete. Water from the surangam is quite cool and pure as it is away…
farming in Kerala
World’s Biggest and Heaviest Tuber Vegetable: Food Security for the underprivileged
It’s a myth that organic farming yields less. To some extent it is correct, at least in Kerala. Kerala is blessed with bountiful rains, so normal vegetables like tomatoes, beans, chillies, onion etc barely survive, leave aside fruiting. However one thing that grows and yields well are tubers. Greater yams (Dioscorea alata) being one among them.In the past few decade’s various people have successfully harvested massive roots of yam, greater…
Why are Nursery Grown Plants and Trees Unhealthy?
Have you ever wondered why plants planted and nurtured on their own are healthy and yield well without pest attack and other problems? First let’s understand why nature-grown trees are healthier and yield well and live much longer. Nature-grown trees will have abundant green foliage and fruits. This can be witnessed in forests as well as naturally grown plants from seeds coupled with a few other factors. Healthy Plants will…
How does Vetiver Grass Root (Ramacham) Plant Amend Soil
Vetiver should be among one of the essential plants grown in your surrounding area and also in your farms. There are a few varieties of vetiver available throughout India. The south Indian varieties are generally considered superior because it has more aromatic oil in its roots. Farmers or consumers only need its roots for consumption and other utilities. It grows upto 3 to 4 feet tall and can be cut…
Rooting Plant Stem Cuttings – Lay them Horizontal
When you cut any living thing, it starts losing its life and nutrition. There are many plants which have poorly developed seeds or their progeny distribution through seeds is not that great. Older generations understood with experience that some crops planted in a certain ways yielded more or lived more or gained strength. Let’s take the example of Moringa (drum stick) here. Traditionally drumstick was not planted from seeds. Instead,…
Are you eating the right Cashew; Why are Cashew Nuts not Crunchy?
It is said that the Portuguese brought cashew nuts to India. Who is even bothered now? It has been accepted and embraced because of the nutritiously rich nuts. It’s not a satvic food, since it makes you lethargic and fat if you consume more. However moderation is the key to anything. Even medicine can turn poison if you over do it. It is also believed that some modern day cashew…