April 2022. In some of Ambedkar’s lesser known writings lies a remarkably detailed paper on ‘small holdings in India and their remedies’. It is a detailed examination of what ails Indian agriculture and how can the identified problems be addressed. Ambedkar asks if the small holdings are also 'compact' holdings? 'Unfortunately they are not. A … Continue reading Problem of small holdings in Indian agriculture & Ambedkar
Tag: Farming
Values: A policy problem
Down the road from our farm, a couple of farms were bought, the land use category was changed and there’s a ‘water theme park’ under construction. This small 5-6 KM long valley flanked by low rise hills has a reservoir occupying the lower trough. It was constructed as a minor irrigation project for the region’s … Continue reading Values: A policy problem
Notes on farming – 2
Notes on farming and mechanization began with part 1 here. April, 2022 It has been a busy few months with lots to understand, process and write about. Contrary to the general impression, the pace and intensity of activities are faster on the farm than work in the city. Farm work can get quite intense, physically … Continue reading Notes on farming – 2
Notes on farming & mechanization
July, 2021. Another kharif season has begun. On the farms three week old saplings of soybean and pigeon pea await a good spell of rain. Here are a couple of observations from this season on our farms. Weather windows are getting considerably shorter. This leads to a very short period in which most cropping activities … Continue reading Notes on farming & mechanization
Day 447
06/06/2021 Day 447 The week was packed with farm work. There was no space to think about anything else. In more than a year of the pandemic, there have been two short spells of 4-5 days when I haven’t managed to write the daily journal. Farming involves loads of physical work. It is exhausting and … Continue reading Day 447
The many mirages in Indian agriculture
After a week of harvest and another of preparing the farm plots for next sowing season, here are some quick notes. Farm mechanisation is a serious need. The processes in small scale farming are completely manual. These are limiting the ways in which farmers organize farm processes and their ability to extract efficiencies from the … Continue reading The many mirages in Indian agriculture
Day 103: Farm and reading
05/07/2020 Day 103 While removing the weeds on the farm this morning I was struck by the burst of life that accompanies rain and the diversity of it. It is a fascinating world if exploring this diversity is appealing for a person. There is enormous beauty in watching the variety of flora and fauna in … Continue reading Day 103: Farm and reading
Day 93: Learning from Ajangaon
July, 2020 25/06/2020 Day 93 The time spent in Wardha has helped in exploring ideas, realities and readings in agriculture. The village we have come to be associated with after buying the farm has become a reference point for knowing and comparing agricultural trends. By the way of reflection here are some observations from the … Continue reading Day 93: Learning from Ajangaon
Day 91: On villages
Farm. June 2020 23/06/2020 Day 91 These early morning rides from the farm to explore roads and trails around are facilitating a subtle kind of connection with the landscape. Knowing a space closely, in its directions, orientation, topology, people and physical forms drive this connection. In these rides I get to know the rhythms of … Continue reading Day 91: On villages
Day 90: In the now
Soybean crop. June 2020 22/06/2020 Day 90 It was an indecisive day for cycling. The town isn't big, but the chaos of vehicles during morning hours gets me. It is preferable to drive out with the cycle in the car, ride a trail and drive back. Early morning confusion about which direction to take meant … Continue reading Day 90: In the now
Contested Realities 