There is water shortage in the region where Anisha works, and only those with their own watersupply can experiment, like Anisha does, with various seeds and saplings, needed for the Kitchen Gardens for Students and the gardens of the landless project participants. One of wells seeing to the watersupply for the decmonstratin pots on Anishas grounds and the running of the Resource Center had been running dry and various efforts to replace it in a different spot, have failed. Not so this time. With funds from NUE, drilling was successful on the 30th of March
and the well including all the installations, also the pipes leading to the various water asins, can be put into place. With more schools to join
the KGP programme, more seeds are required, even if the students are returning a certain measure to Anisha.
and the well including all the installations, also the pipes leading to the various water asins, can be put into place. With more schools to join
the KGP programme, more seeds are required, even if the students are returning a certain measure to Anisha.
Research and Conservation
Valli, checking the maize
Rainwater pond on RC land
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Anisha’s facilities include a 9-acre working organic farm.
Working under the same conditions as the local farmers, keeps Anisha closely connected with the challenges these people face. . The farm has numerous demonstration plots (see herbal garden above) that are used to conduct trials to determine the compatibility of various seeds and methods within the context of the Martalli region. Anisha’s staff systematically test and document how various native seeds, which have been brought from other areas of India, grow in Martalli. In addition, several forms of organic fertilizer and pest control are piloted and refined on Anisha’s test plots. Based on the outcomes from this research, Anisha recommends certain varieties of seed or organic farming methods to the farmers with whom it works. The seeds are distributed through Anisha’s seeds bank. Farmers visit the demonstration plots and several have been persuaded to switch to organic farming only after observing the high yields and healthy crops grown on Anisha’s farm. Water is conserved by using only sprinklers and drip to water the trial plots and plants and by catching rain water from the monsoon season in a number of water basins. Permaculture (click for report 2014) is also practiced and taught at Anisha. It allows even the tiniest patch of land and slopy edge to be developed to grow something substantial in a very short time. |
Changing faces of Anisha: left 2013 when the grounds were still bare, 2024 with trees and shrubbery - right with building refurbished
No efforts were spared to stop erosion and replenish the groundwater table - trees were planted, bushes, peanuts and pulses plus grass to retain water and to avoid loss of rainwater during heavy monsoon when due to lack of grass and shrubs the water just shot over the hill unused
MAILING ADDRESS: Anisha . Kadabur Village . Odaradotti . Martalli Post . Kollegal Taluk . Pin Code 571444 . Chamarajnagar District . Karnataka State . India
E-MAIL: [email protected] . PHONE: (91) 9448872207
E-MAIL: [email protected] . PHONE: (91) 9448872207
@Website, videos and photos by Myra Margolin. Additional design by Osanna Favre and additional photos by Anisha, the Human Force Volunteer Camp, Renee Zimmer
and Aminah Herrman. Updates Renee Zimmer and Valli Krishnaswamy, eMail Renee: [email protected]
and Aminah Herrman. Updates Renee Zimmer and Valli Krishnaswamy, eMail Renee: [email protected]