Dr Naveen Kumar from Chennai is on a mission to fight well being points attributable to adulterated meals. For this, he encourages his sufferers to develop their very own meals utilizing natural farming. He cultivates native seeds on his terrace and distributes them to sufferers and others, motivating them to develop vegatables and fruits at dwelling.
Enjoying with mud, splashing water on crops, and selecting contemporary produce from their terrace backyard are a number of the childhood recollections that Dr Naveen Kumar treasures. Rising greens was merely a enjoyable interest for the Chennai resident till 2016 when he turned a physiotherapy physician.
“I might get a number of sufferers who complained of gastrointestinal points. The underlying reason for such rising points is the consumption of adulterated meals that’s ready utilizing genetically modified seeds,” Dr Naveen tells The Higher India.
“The market is flooded with genetically modified seeds which negatively have an effect on human well being. There have been considerations that the meals ready utilizing such seeds has carcinogenic properties and will result in the event of most cancers,” he provides.
Since 2016, Dr Naveen was desirous to encourage residents to take up natural farming at dwelling. Up to now 10 years, the 29-year-old has reworked his 350 sq ft terrace right into a inexperienced haven. Utilizing his thatha’s (grandfather) greatest gardening secrets and techniques, he presently grows greater than 250 forms of vegatables and fruits — together with spinach, tomatoes, brinjals, custard apple, lemons, mulberries, and dragon fruits in a small area.
Prescription for a protracted wholesome life
Since his childhood, Naveen grew up surrounded by greens and fruit timber that have been nurtured utilizing native seeds. Nevertheless, rising up he understood that these seeds have been quick disappearing resulting from modernisation and starvation for harvesting extra produce in much less time.
“Immediately, we see solely green-coloured ladyfingers available in the market when there are a number of native variants together with the red-coloured torpedo formed selection and lightweight green-coloured lengthy elephant tusk selection that has extra quantity of amino acids and iron content material. Equally, we get solely hybrid tomatoes though now we have greater than 200 native tomato varieties with distinct tastes and dietary content material. Regardless of their advantages, you received’t discover these greens in markets in any respect,” he factors out.
So, the place have these greens disappeared?
“Sadly, we’re pressured to eat solely genetically modified hybrid varieties. Genetically modified seeds solely reply to chemical pesticides,” says Naveen, “Nevertheless, we will scale back this dependency by rising our personal greens.”
As soon as each two years, he travels to Kolli hills — roughly 400 km from his dwelling — to gather native forms of seeds from tribal folks within the area. “Because the seeds I supply are in restricted numbers, I exploit them to develop produce at dwelling. After harvesting, I scoop out the seeds in giant portions after which distribute them to the group. Utilizing native seeds, farmers and gardeners don’t want to purchase seeds for the following season, and utilizing an identical method, they go on seeds to others,” he provides, “That’s our motto!”
Apparently, Dr Naveen together with a gaggle of like-minded terrace gardeners conduct offline workshops in Chennai to advertise natural farming. To this point, he has reached out to greater than 5,000 folks throughout Tamil Nadu and helped them domesticate greens and fruits at dwelling. Moreover, he additionally provides these native seeds to his sufferers together with prescriptions to guide a more healthy life.
Develop your veggies with these 5 secret strategies
Dr Naveen encourages everybody to embark on their natural farming journey — beginning proper at dwelling with fundamental greens like tomatoes, woman’s fingers, and leafy greens comparable to spinach.
Drawing from the cherished teachings handed down by his grandfather, he shares a handful of strategies for cultivating greens and fruits effortlessly.
The way to put together a potting combine?
Dr Naveen suggests taking soil, cocopeat, and vermicompost in a ratio of 1:2:2. After mixing them, hold the potting combine in a pot or container for 3 to 4 days. Sprinkle water as soon as each morning and night.
“It will improve microbial actions within the soil. You’ll be able to sow seeds thereafter,” he provides.
Deal with seeds earlier than sowing
To spice up the method of germination and stop future pest assaults and root illnesses, Dr Naveen advises treating seeds with natural fertilisers and pesticides.
“As an alternative of water, soak seeds in panchgavya (natural concoction ready by mixing 5 gadgets obtained from cow like urine, ghee, dung, milk, and curd) for half an hour. Dry these seeds for an hour in a semi-shade space. These seeds shall be prepared for sowing the following day. In the event you would not have panchgavya, you should utilize 5 to seven days outdated buttermilk,” he provides.
The germination course of, he says, differs for varied greens. As an example, tomato seeds will germinate inside seven days, brinjals inside 10 days, chillies inside 14 days, radish inside 4 to 5 days, and spinach inside three days.
Fertiliser from fish
Apart from panchgavya, jeevamrita, and vermicompost, Dr Naveen prepares a singular natural fertiliser utilizing fish to spice up plant progress.
“Take one kg of fish in a clear plastic container and blend it with one kg of jaggery, handful of drumstick leaves, and two well-ripened bananas. Shut the lid and hold it below shade. The fertiliser shall be prepared to make use of after 21 to 27 days. Wealthy in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, this fertiliser helps enhance flowering and fruiting in crops. It ought to be given as soon as each 15 days,” he explains.
The way to management pest assaults?
Though treating seeds earlier than sowing reduces the possibilities of pest assaults, Dr Naveen says city gardeners can spray neem oil on leaves each 10 days to stop any pest assault.
The way to retailer seeds for subsequent season?
Dr Naveen says that one of many benefits of native varieties over genetically modified and hybrid seeds is that you don’t want to buy seeds yearly. “You’ll be able to scoop out seeds from greens and seeds after harvesting. Retailer them in a glass jar with some charcoal powder. It prevents seeds from being degenerated and will increase their shelf life to 10 years,” he provides.
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Edited by Pranita Bhat. All pictures: Dr Naveen Kumar.
