It was within the late 90s that Rema Devi began natural farming round her home premises in Changanassery city in Kottayam, Kerala. It began as a small enterprise to fulfill her each day necessities. However through the years, it has grown into one thing greater, incomes her a good month-to-month earnings.
She grew up aiding her grandmother, who in accordance with Rema was a tremendous natural farmer. “She actually grew every part required for your complete household — be it pulses, greens or fruits, we had every part natural and contemporary. My youthful sister and I was her assistants. Subsequently, I imagine it was her affect and naturally, the expertise I gained that helped me excel in natural farming,” Rema tells The Higher India.
Over the past 20 years, she has been rising a wide range of greens and fruit bushes on the terrace and environment of her two houses.
Ultimately, Rema began her personal YouTube channel with the intention to information others to take up natural farming. She additionally started making high quality seeds out of greens and promoting them.
“Terrace gardening could be achieved in essentially the most sustainable manner with out many bills. I attempt to train my viewers find out how to keep a backyard effectively via my channel,” says the 56-year-old.
Chemical-free greens for the household
Rema, who pursued her increased research in Botany says, “I’ve an emotional attachment to farming because it jogs my memory of my childhood and my grandmother. Although I couldn’t pursue a job after research, I’m glad that I may do what I really like essentially the most.”
“When my kids had been younger. I purchased a snake gourd from the market and stir-fried it. However I used to be shocked to odor some type of chemical compounds from it. That’s once I took the choice to develop clear greens for my kids,” recollects Rema.
Ever since she has been organically rising all of the greens for her household in her house backyard.
Initially, she began farming within the area round her house, which was constructed on 13 cents of land. Later when yet one more home was constructed on the identical land, Rema moved her farm to each terraces, which got here to round 2,500 sq ft.
Based on her, although it appears simpler to nurture a terrace backyard than develop on land, there are particular issues that should be taken care of.
“Whereas sustaining a terrace backyard one must keep in mind that it’s the highest layer of our home. We have to guarantee security. So, I painted my total terrace with white cement to keep away from water leakage. And to keep away from preserving pots and develop baggage straight on the terrace, I used coconut shells as an alternative of high-priced stands” she says.
Rema began her farming enterprise with spinach and cowpeas as her household cherished these two greens. “I stored including extra to my assortment, and now I’ve completely different varieties of just about all of the greens together with the native veggies and seasonal ones,” she provides.
Among the many greens she grows are completely different kinds of chillies, okra, brinjal, tomatoes, spinach, peas, gourds, onion, air potatoes, beans, cucumber, broccoli, cauliflower, carrot, radish, cabbage, and lettuce.
Aside from greens, she additionally grows just a few fruit bushes like papaya, Malabar plum, rambutan, guava, custard apple, sapota, and completely different kinds of lemon.
Commercial
Along with rising contemporary greens for her household, Rema saves their seeds too. “Since I develop greater than sufficient for my household, the remainder have been used for making seeds,” she says.
The seeds are offered via social media farming teams. She additionally sells them to those that contact her on WhatsApp. “The seeds are priced between Rs 25 and Rs 40 a packet, relying on the range and availability. At the moment, I make round Rs 60,000 monthly, simply via seeds,” says Rema who has been getting orders from throughout the state.
Formulating do-it-yourself fertilisers and pesticides
“Gardening ought to by no means be an costly affair,” says Rema who offers out ideas and tips on her YouTube channel — Rema’s Terrace Backyard — the place she shares find out how to keep a cost-efficient and sustainable terrace backyard.
Rema additionally makes natural fertilisers and pesticides utilizing kitchen waste.
She says, “I don’t waste something from my kitchen. All bio-waste like egg shells, onion peels, espresso or tea grounds, and even objects like buttermilk, curd, rice water, coconut milk and many others could be made into natural fertilisers. Even fish waste can be utilized for a similar goal.”
“Over the past 20 years, I’ve been capable of make various kinds of natural fertilisers and pesticides utilizing simply accessible substances. Now I’m attempting to assist others via my YouTube channel,” says the YouTuber.
She shares one such natural fertiliser she formulated, which is cherished by many on her channel.
“Combine some cow dung, cow urine, neem cake, groundnut cake, and inexperienced leaves collectively, and maintain it apart for 10 days. Then add 100 gm of lime powder to the combo, and let it sit once more for 5 extra days. You’ll be able to dissolve this combination in a 1:10 ratio with water. It makes an excellent bio-slurry which could be utilized to every kind of crops.”
Based on Rema, everybody ought to develop at the least just a few greens on their very own of their homes. “Greater than rising clear greens by yourself, there’s a type of happiness and satisfaction that comes with it. You’ll by no means comprehend it until you try this,” she says.
For seeds, you may contact Rema Devi at 79077 87439.
Edited by Pranita Bhat; Photograph credit: Rema Devi