:: Natural Organic Farming ::

Anjali offers practical workshops to train people in the basics of organic farming methods. A typical workshop will include some or all of the following topics:

Importance of animal husbandry in farming and the need of keeping indigenous cows for a sustainable farm.
Planting trees and shrubs for biomass; Importance of green manuring and common green manuring plants and crops.
Soil preparation techniques for a new farm that has yet to be planted
Crop rotation for maintenance of soil fertility
Demonstrate and teach 15-20 liquid organic manures for combating viral, bacterial and fungal diseases and repelling pests.
Making rich compost from green biomass in three months —the Indore method; making compost from cowdung—the biodung method.
Pitcher irrigation—a low cost alternative to drip irrigation for orchards and small farms.
Using the trench and platform system of irrigation for better results when drip irrigation is not possible.
Simple rainwater harvesting structures for vegetable and fruit farming.
Saving seed and making your own seed—the importance of a village seed bank; sources for open pollinated seeds including govt. research stations and universities.
Discussion on how to improve vegetable yields. Demonstration of raised bed techniques if possible.
Performance of agnihotra in special pyramid shaped copper vessel at sunset, and use of agnihotra ash in farming.
Using agro homeopathy to enrich the soil and ward off pest s and diseases.
Successful marketing strategies for fruits and vegetables; also for cereals and millets
Visits to local organic farms, poultry farms, horticulture research stations etc.

A good workshop which includes lots of interaction amongst the participants and practical work in the field can last for five days. Learning the basics of organic farming is an osmotic process and time is required for assimilating the new material being presented to the participants. However, keeping in mind the time limitations of various learners, one or two day workshops can also be planned and organized for a specific group of farmers.

All workshops are held in the field and participants are encouraged to get the dirt under their fingernails. Only by coming into contact with the soil and the plants can the growers appreciate and grasp the finer points of organic farming.

Participants in these workshops bear the cost of holding the workshop and of inviting Anjali Pathak as the workshop leader. The workshop fees will thus be different for different locations. One or two day workshops can also be tailor made to suit the needs of the interested people. NGOs and self-help groups can also request Anjali to conduct a workshop in their area.

Tailor made workshops that address the issues being faced by a particular farm, plantation or village can be offered upon request. Tea gardens, coffee gardens, cardamom and spice growers, mango and fruit growers, vegetable growers, paddy growers etc. can all benefit from these practical workshops.

Keeping in mind the trend amongst young urbanites to buy farm property close to the big metros, Anjali has designed workshops to meet their needs. Becoming a weekend farmer is no longer a pipe dream but a real possibility today. People working for the IT industry who are thinking of relocating or are in the process of doing so will benefit from attending such a workshop. A one acre orchard model which generates income and is self-sustaining, has been developed for such people.

Consultancy:

Anjali has developed packages of practice for various cereal crops like rice and wheat, fruits, vegetables and plantation crops like tea, coffee and spices. These organic practices are easy to understand and implement and produce results within a short period of time. The conversion from chemical farming to organic farming is facilitated smoothly by these organic practices.

While speaking on the phone or communicating through e-mails helps clarify doubts, farming and agriculture are practical skills that need to be learnt on ground.

Workshop Fees:

For small and medium independent farmers:
Participants have to bear the cost of all the arrangements made to organize the workshop, plus the cost of inviting Anjali Pathak over to conduct the workshop---round trip ticket, boarding, lodging and transport. Workshop organizers/facilitators for independent small/medium farmers will also be paid a certain percentage of the proceeds for their services. This means that the workshop fees per person will vary for each workshop for independent farmers; it will vary according to the number of participants and according to area since the cost of materials, food etc. varies in different areas.

For plantations and corporate farms in India :
A fixed amount will be charged per workshop irrespective of how many people attend the training, plus round trip ticket, pick up and drop off at airport/railway station, boarding, lodging and transport.

For plantations and farms located overseas:
Round trip air ticket, boarding lodging and transport, pick up and drop off at airport, plus workshop fees.