It was 14th of October and the interacts were set for another interesting expedition. A score of students from standards 6th to 12th , along with our teachers Mrs. Manjiri Mishra and Miss Mona Randhawa, gave a visit to the Navdanya , a 220 beegha area in which a thousands of seeds and crop varieties. This land is situated about 6km away from our school near Premnagar. This land is owned by Vandana Shiva who is a very famous environmentalist and has won many awards under her flora conserving profession.
The store house at Navdanya.
On our entrance we walked across a pleasing Litchi Orchard to finally reach the main area. And the best part was the signboards helping us reach the residential area of the farm. We were greeted by Holly and Vanessa, two ladies amongst other people out there who took care of the whole area. We were told by them that the area was bought specifically for the conservation and study of different types of crops, plants and seeds. A lot of focus was given to the seeds and crops which could be easily grown even in extreme and problematic conditions.
All of it started with an interactive way of introduction in which everyone had to give their name and the name of the vegetable which we would want to be along with the reason. Then the excited interacts were guided by the ladies all around the building area which included a library that stored an awesome collection of books relating environment, seeds and farming. It also had a book exchange program where anyone could exchange a book of their choice with another which has been read by him. They also had a lecture room where they recently had an interactive program with slum children from Delhi.
12 crops-1 farm.. The best example of Composite Farming.
Then we walked into the farm area which was a huge area of vast variety of greenery and plants. First was the herb garden where a plenty of known and unknown herbs were grown including peppermint, mint, tamarind, Basil, Bramhi, etc. Following was the farm in which about five hundred types of rice were preserved along with other grains such as cereals, maize, Jhangura, Manduwa, Millets, etc. We were then taken to the seed store room and the biogas plant. Then we sat down under the bamboo shed gazebo where we calculated the footprint or the impact we have on the environment. We were also well explained the need of being self dependent regarding food and needy crops. We discussed how we can reduce the bad impact we have on the environment.
We concluded the knowledge and awareness giving trip with tips by the Navdaanya residents for making a school or home garden of our own and were told that along with sun, air, water and soil a plant also needs love and care for its growing. We were full of ideas and excitement as we returned back thinking about everything we learnt and ways with which we could help the world to be a better place.
Report By:-
Siddhant Singh ( IX A )
Reporter – Interact Club
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