Chezhumai
January 2021
Pongal
Pongal is a multi-day Tamil harvest festival of South India, particularly in the Tamil community. It is observed at the start of the month Tai according to Tamil solar calendar, and this is typically about January 14. It is dedicated to the Hindu sun god, the Surya, and corresponds to Makar Sankranti, the harvest festival under many regional names celebrated throughout India. The three days of the Pongal festival are called Bhogi Pongal, Surya Pongal and Maattu Pongal. Some Tamils celebrate a fourth day of Pongal as Kanum Pongal. TIST Celebrated Pongal with the small groups.
TIST Tree Planting India Pvt. Ltd Flat A, Plot 69, 26th Street, Sankar Nagar, Pammal, Chennai 600075. Mobile : 9840299822 Email: josephrexontist@gmail.com Skype: a.joseph.rexon Web: www.tist.org
Make your own fertilisers / pesticides
Make a clear plan on what crop you would like to grow as that will help you make your own fertiliser and pesticide. You know how to improve your soil structure to suit your harvest better and you also know what type of pests generally attack your crop and you would be ready with your own pesticides. As a potential farmer, you must know your soil, microorganisms, and ferns to help with its fertility.
Some of the best pesticides that you can create of your own are, panchakavya, neemastram and dasparini kashayam. These pesticides can be created at your own farm using the materials available with you. For more details ask TIST Coordinators at the Node / Training Meetings or make a call to TIST Coordinators.
Ways to adapt to climate change for better income
Rehabilitate your unused farmland
First and foremost, rehabilitate your unused farmland. Your unused farmland exposed to direct sunlight and rainfall are prone to erosion, loss in best top soil. Sustainable way to recover is by planting native forage or grass, fodder for cattle, by planting indigenous tree species
Integrate farming
Integrated farming is a practice of simultaneous activities involving food crop and animal. The main purpose of integrated farming is so that the farming components support one another; hence, reducing external inputs. Food crop can provide as animal feed/fodder for the livestock, and the livestock as fertilizer (manure) for the crop. Some livestock can also act as weed control by foraging on the weeds.
Practice agroforest
Growing trees and practicing farming together intentionally, wherein smart selection of trees and crops is must, species selection should not compete but collaborate. Diversity of food crops and tree species allows the area to be productive throughout the year, so that the small groups can get sustainable multiple incomes in all seasons.