The natural diet of bovines largely comprises wild grass, tree leaves and weeds. Increased domestication, however, has motivated farmers to rely on grain-based diets, as it makes it easier to maintain large herds of cattle and harvest higher yields of produce, be it meat or milk. Grains, in comparison to grass, are easy to store,…
Irrigated salad bars/green manure are relatively easy depending on the monsoon each year. At Annapurna, we receive an ample monsoon (summer and winter) and sometimes, even a cyclone at times. As a result, rain water harvest ponds have more capacity to sustain the rice, orchards, and fodder, because of which we sow early harvested paddy…
This is in continuation of the blog from June 9 about our deliberations of retired animals. Welli died a few days ago. She was in her 20th life year. In her last days she could not walk and eat anymore and developed some other complications. This was the point where we decided to sedate her…
Today the cow herd is grazing lazily in one of the paddy fields which has green manure plants growing in it. Our 20 acres of paddy land is divided in over 100 plots which are bunded and leveled individually. We have around 40 fields with lush green manure growing in it right now. The rest…
Hi there, A weekly blog to give you a glimpse of our reality at Annapurna farm. It will sometimes be a bit more elaborate and philosophical, at times short, practical, and to the point. Right now we are developing more land for green fodder cultivation for the dairy. Our aim is to slowly reduce the…
Annapurna Farm Auroville 