Vegetables planted in beds

The space in the yard to the left of the house one tier below where we grew Chena (Elephant-foot yam) is now planted with beds of vegetables. Yam was harvested on 6 and 7th January 2018. The seeds were sown in trays to grow the seedlings three weeks prior to sowing.

Preparation of beds

After taking the yams, the whole yard was tilled. Then separate beds (thadam) were made in the tilled ground. Then we put dry leaves and burnt it. After two days, dried cowdung was put.

Planting

The seedlings were planted on 13th/14th January 2018.

Caring

Micronutrient granules dissolved in water were sprayed on the growing plants.The plants have been watered everyday in sufficient quantity. We are planning to put up net and supports for climbers.

Dry leaves which were kept for one week after spraying water of cowdung, were put in the beds to avoid direct sunlight falling on bases. This was done today, 4th February 2018. Also, for the creepers, we have laid dry banana leaves on the ground.

Photos

Plant	Beds	No. per bed	Other	Total
Kakkiri & Vellari	9	4		36
Thannimathan	3	2	1	7
Mathan	5	3		15
Kaypa	4			11
Padavalam				1
Miscellaneous		4+1		5
Payar	2 rows			16

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Research: Field visit to Cashew & Pineapple centres, Vellanikkara, Mannuthy, Thrissur

On 17.02.2018, Saturday, we visited Mannuthy. There are many specialised research centres for different crops under Kerala Agricultural University, Mannuthy which is on the Thrissur-Palakkad route. We went first to the Cashew Research Station at Madakathara and met an officer there, Mr. Manoj. He explained Cashew hybrid high yielding varieties, about crop care, grafting of saplings etc. They have an experimental plantation of cashews there. A trainee staffer Ms. Anjana showed us the farm and the different varieties they have there. We booked 80 saplings which will be ready for delivery around July. The best time for us to plant would be May before/during the mango showers. We got some leaflets on cashew cultivation and the visit was really informative and a pleasant experience. We then went to Pineapple Research Station nearby. They have there two varieties, Kew and Mauritius. Pineapple is a recommended crop for intercropping before the Cashew trees reach maturity and start giving...

Areekkunnu

The land on the hill side was run over by undergrowth and wild plants. It had not been cultivated for many years. Long back it was a cashew orchard. In December 2017 we got the wild growth cleared. We plan to bring the land once more under cultivation. The plan is to grow cashewnut with some minor crops in between and if possible black pepper. The place is cut in to 6 terraces and over that is a steep hillside. Irrigation will be a problem and we may have to grow crops with low water need or entirely rain fed crops. The land was over grown with waste vegetation and it was very hard work to clear it. Many* man days were spent in ridding of the waste vegetation. Approximate total cost of clearing work comes to Rs 30000. We have pre booked with Krishi Bhavan for 60 cashew saplings for planting before the onset of monsoon. As intercrop we plan for inji , manjal and chena. For black pepper support the options we had in mind are: mahagony, silver oak or soil filled PVC pi...

Sprinkler

We have installed a sprinkler system to irrigate the whole place around the house. Work is yet to be completed. First stage was done on January 1st week*. They have yet to come for finishing the work, left some materials. Total cost will be around RS15000.(5000 paid). Sprinkler has to be connected to separate motor. Purchased new motor and applied for separate electricity connection for ageicyagricu use. Waiting for DBT subsidy on motor purchase to be credited.(cost*). The motor has been installed, and its electrical wiring has been given in outside bathroom. Not yet connected to power and sprinkler system. Sprinkler covers the whole area of plot and has to be switched on for 30 minutes daily. Grow bags in the front have to be waterd separately. Sprinkler system has 3 valves which can be used to regulate water flow to 3 areas: Lower part , Upper part and back side.

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