The Call of the Soil A Scent of Rice
I. Introduction
- The chapter is about Venkateshwaran (Venkat) Iyer, who left his IT job in Mumbai to become an organic farmer in Maharashtra.
- His book “Moong over Microchips” tells the story of this change from techie to farmer.
- Iyer wanted a lifestyle change and was committed to organic farming despite challenges.
II. The First Crop
- Iyer’s farming journey began in April 2004.
- His first crop was moong (green gram), and he describes the beauty of the lush green field at sunrise.
- Moru Dada, a local broker, encouraged him to plant moong immediately.
- Iyer quickly bought seeds from Surat, and Moru Dada helped plant them.
- The initial growth of the moong filled Iyer with excitement, similar to when his hibiscus bloomed in Mumbai.
- Moru Dada suggested using pesticides, but Iyer was determined to farm without chemicals.
- Despite doubts, Iyer harvested 300 kilograms of moong, proving that organic farming was possible.
III. The Scent of Rice
- In his first year, Iyer planted the GR4 rice variety.
- The following year, he wanted to grow a traditional variety of rice that required fewer fertilizers and resisted pests.
- A neighbor suggested a local scented rice variety.
- Many farmers had switched to hybrid varieties, and finding the traditional “desi” variety was difficult.
- After much searching, he learned about Kasbai, a long-grained, aromatic rice.
- Older people remembered Kasbai, but the seeds were hard to find.
- The agricultural officer didn’t know about Kasbai and promoted hybrid varieties.
- Iyer continued his search and found that the Adivasi Mahamandal at Kasa had sold Kasbai a few years prior.
- In Dhanivari, he met Devu Handa, an old man who reminisced about the days when the entire village grew Kasbai.
- The aroma of Kasbai was so enticing that people passing by would stop to ask for a meal.
- Farmers switched to hybrids for higher yields and the ability to grow a second crop.
- Devu Handa explained that he had to switch to hybrids because of open grazing after harvest.
- Hybrids required more water, fertilizers, and pesticides, and their yields decreased over time.
- Kasbai was strong and resilient, even surviving flash floods.
- Devu Handa said that only the Adivasis in the hamlet of Boripada still grew Kasbai.
- Iyer and his companions went to Boripada and, with the help of the village sarpanch’s assistant, Jeevan, found an old woman who had Kasbai seeds.
- After some negotiation, she agreed to give them the rice in exchange for money.
- Iyer was grateful to find the elusive Kasbai and admired the Adivasi people for preserving the biodiversity of the land.
IV. Themes
- Organic Farming: The chapter emphasizes the benefits of organic farming and the negative impacts of chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
- Preservation of Traditional Knowledge: It highlights the importance of preserving traditional varieties of crops and the knowledge associated with them.
- Environmental Consciousness: The chapter raises awareness about the need to protect the environment and maintain biodiversity.
- The Value of Simple Living: It portrays the peaceful and simple lifestyle of the Adivasi people and contrasts it with the fast-paced life of the city.
- The Allure of Nature: The author expresses his deep connection with nature and the joy he finds in farming.
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