Paddy Yield Increase

A number of farmers in the Tiruvannamalai District are now experimenting with an unconventional method of paddy cultivation. Early results report that conventional methods on a 10 acre farm which previously yielded 2.4 tonnes of paddy an acre are now producing 3.3 tonnes of paddy an acre.

This increase is a result of Tegra seedling technology developed and patented by Syngenta, a Swiss company with a model farm in Vandavasi, Tamil Nadu. In this process paddy seedlings are grown in a tray in a special media comprising straw, soil, nutrients etc. Thereafter the seedlings continue their growth in a nursery and are replanted after 15 days into the paddy field, with a special transplant machinery. Once transplanted the seedlings take root and begin to grow.

The technology costs Rs 75 a tray and an acre requires 70 trays. The cost includes Syngenta Company growing the paddy seedlings chosen by the farmer (or considered appropriate for the area). The Company then transplants the cultivated seedlings in the farmer's field with special machinery and thereafter offers counsel until harvest.

Officials at Syngenta have pointed out that their system is not the same as the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) as SRI is done manually while Tegra technology is done mechanically.

Tamil Nadu Wetlands

The National Wetland Atlas, prepared by the Ahmedabad-based Space Applications Centre (SAC) of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), has classified Tamil Nadu as a wetland-rich State with 6.92% of its geographic area classified as wetlands. Lake/pond and tank/pond are the dominant wetland types found in all the Districts, accounting for 61%.

The atlas was prepared to protect wetlands from development and encroaching populations.

Tamil Nadu, Tiruvannamalai was found to have a wetland area of over 50,000 ha. (hectare = 2.47 acres).

Land 5 Kms from Arunachala

Some information and photographs below on beautiful agricultural land located 5 kms from Arunachala. The water table is good – around 80 feet – but there is no current well or electricity on the land. There are four pieces of land, fully Patta, owned by the one man which comprise: 1.66 acres, 1.37 acres, 3.66 acres and 2.5 acres (total 9.19 acres available). The owner is willing to sell one or any number of the 4 adjacent plots.

To view more photographs and information please check out my link at this address.

A wide access road of around 30 feet in length (leading to the Municipal road) has just been created which runs directly onto the land. The seller will ensure passage upon purchase of one, or any number of the four available parcels.

Sketch of Land

5 Acre Parcel (#1) Sirupakkam

The below series of photographs is of a 5 acre parcel of red soil land situated at Sirupakkam. The current owner has full patta title.

The land which is both suitable for organic and traditional farming, has a large agricultural well that has abundant sweet water throughout the year. Arunachala darshan is excellent.

To avoid any complication with access the owner of this land wishes to sell it in conjunction with the 5 acre parcel mentioned in the next posting (5 Acre Parcel #2 Sirupakkam) at this link here:

All serious independent parties interested in more information, including price, are invited to get in touch using the 'contact me' facility at the top of this page.

5 Acre Parcel (#2) Sirupakkam

The below series of photographs is of a 5 acre parcel of red soil land situated at Sirupakkam. The current owner has full patta title.

The land which is both suitable for organic and traditional farming, has a large agricultural well that has abundant sweet water throughout the year. Arunachala darshan is excellent.

To avoid any complication with access the owner of this land wishes to sell it in conjunction with the 5 acre parcel mentioned in the previous posting (5 Acre Parcel #1 Sirupakkam) at this link:

All serious independent parties interested in more information, including price, are invited to get in touch using the 'contact me' facility at the top of this page.

11 Acre Agrcultural Land Parcel - Sirupakkam

The below is a series of photographs of a 11 acre parcel of agricultural land located at Sirupakkam (which lies southeast of Arunachala). The land has clear patta title and the owner is ready to sell immediately to a serious purchaser.

The land, which is red soil is exceptionally suitable for organic farming, although over the last years has been used for traditional farming such as paddy.

The darshan of Arunachala is excellent. There are two agricultural wells on the land which, even in hot summers, have abundant sweet water.
































For more information regarding location and price, please use the 'contact me' facility at the top of this page.

Happy Earth Day -- April 22, 2011

Earth Day was founded on April 22, 1970 and now is celebrated on that day throughout the world. It is intended as a day to promote awareness and appreciation for the Earth's environment. To learn more about the history of Earthday go to this link here.

To find out more about Earthday and also to measure your ecological footprint on the planet go to this link here.



Chant for Peace

May the Goddess Waters be auspicious for us to drink. May they flow, they flow, with blessings upon us.

May the Earth be pleasant and free of thorns as our place of rest. May She grant us a wide peace.

May the Divine Waters which grant us blessings, may they sustain us vigor and energy, and for a great vision of delight.

May we partake of that which is their most auspicious essence, as from loving mothers.

May the Heaven grant us peace, and the Atmosphere. May the Earth grant us peace, and the Waters. May the plants and the great forest trees give us their peace. May all the Devas grant us peace; may Brahman grant us peace. May the entire universe grant us peace. May that supreme peace come to us. May that peace dwell in me.

Take this firm resolve: May all beings look at me with the eyes of a friend. May I look at all beings with the eyes of a friend. May we all look at each other with the eyes of a friend.

Shukla Yajur Veda (36.12-15, 17-18)

5 acres near Perubakam

This land is located about 2 kms from the rustic area of Perubakkam.

The 5 acre patta agricultural land is located from Arunachala by road about 7-8 kms and as the bird flies, about 5-6 kms from the Hill.There is a good direct access road to the land.

The land in this posting is 5 acres and adjacent to a small Temple Shrine dedicated to the Goddess. Also adjacent to the land is the start of a large tract of protected reserve forest.

Edge of well viewing boundary with
Temple and priest cottage

The land is owned by a lady who has not cultivated due to personal circumstances. The land has a well and plentiful sweet water.

For information as to pricing, please get in touch at the ‘contact me’ facility on this blog.

6.4 acres at Perubakkam

This rustic, unspoilt agricultural area of Perubakkam by road is about 7 kms from the Hill, and as the bird flies, located at around 5 kms from Arunachala. There is a good direct access road to the land.

The cottage with crops belongs
to neighbouring farm

Good direct access to land

The land in this posting is 6.4 acres and comprises two sets of land being sold at one time. The smaller piece is 1 acre and has its own well, the larger piece is 5.4 acres and also has a separate well. This patta land must be sold as one parcel of 6.4 acres.

One of the wells

The soil is red loam and has plentiful sweet water. Currently ground nuts and sugar cane is under cultivation.

The seller is ready to sell without delay. For information as to pricing, please get in touch at the ‘contact me’ facility on this blog.

Earth Democracy

“We need once more to feel at home on the earth and with each other.”



In 1984, the organisation Navdanya was started by Vandana Shiva to help India’s small farmers develop organic farming methods and ensure biodiversity.

Navdanya is a network of seed keepers and organic producers spread across 16 states in India and, so far, has helped set up 54 community seed banks across the country, trained over 500,000 farmers in seed sovereignty, food sovereignty and sustainable agriculture over the past two decades, and helped setup the largest direct marketing, fair trade organic network in the country.

Navdanya has also set up a learning center, Bija Vidyapeeth (School of the Seed) on its biodiversity conservation and organic farm in Doon Valley, Uttranchal, north India.

Navdanya is actively involved in the rejuvenation of indigenous knowledge and culture. It has created awareness on the hazards of genetic engineering, defended people's knowledge from biopiracy and food rights in the face of globalisation and climate change.

To read more about the excellent work this organisation is involved in, check out this link here.

Perumbakkam Land

A farmer at Perubakkam 6 kms south of Arunachala, is selling his five acre patta farm. Already 2 acres of this five acre parcel has been sold to a family who plan to make and live on a small farm, thus the remaining three acres of this parcel is being offered for sale.

Darshan of Arunachala is spectacular, and the area is a traditional, quiet, rustic Tamil agricultural area.






There is good direct access to the land.






And an excellent water supply.















The fencing marks the boundary of the two acres that has already been sold, the three acres adjacent to the fencing, is the land that is currently up for sale.










For details and information as to pricing, please get in touch usingthe 'contact me' at the left hand top of this page.