Pariyur Fed Farmer Producer Organization supports nearly three hundred farmers. Through the FPO we visited two farms. One of them was Mrs. Rekha’s 10-acre organic farm, known as Ezhungahir Farm. From the moment we entered, the place felt calm and refreshing, as if time moved a little slower. The farm runs entirely without machines or chemicals. Every activity, from planting sugarcane sets to making jaggery, is done by hand, following traditional practices passed down through generations. The smell of fresh soil, long rows of sugarcane, and the steady movement of workers and livestock created a quiet and natural rhythm.

The farm is simple yet diverse. The crops cultivated here includes Sugarcane and Turmeric with total area of 6 acres. Bhavani variety rice is cultivated in 1.5 acres and the remaining land is planted with tree crops such as Neem, Teak, Malabar Neem, Betel palm, Amla tree and White teak. In-between these main crops intercrops like Black gram, Green gram and Horse gram are grown to generate additional income. The resource recycling is effectively done within the farm.

Watching the traditional jaggery-making process was one of the most interesting parts of the visit. After harvesting, the sugarcane is crushed to extract the juice, which is then slowly boiled in a traditional jaggery shed using firewood. At the right stage, a small amount of coconut oil is added, and the juice is stirred patiently until it thickens. The jaggery is then poured into containers, cooled, scraped, powdered and sieved — all done by hand. The left over after crushing the sugarcane is used for input preparation of Panchagavya and fish amino acid. It was a perfect example of zero-waste farming in practice.

The farm also focuses on value addition by producing turmeric powder and other organic inputs for soil health, all prepared within the farm itself. Labour plays a key role in keeping this system running. Three workers manage the entire farm, earning ₹350 per day for women and ₹400 per day for men. Livestock is an important part of the farm’s cycle, with ten cows, three goats, donkeys and a horse contributing to manure, fodder use, and overall sustainability.

This visit made it clear that organic farming is not just about avoiding chemicals; it is about working with nature, following its rhythm, and making full use of every resources. As we left Ezhungahir Farm, the experience stayed with us. The farm stands as a strong example of traditional farming, zero-waste practices, and genuine care for the land. It showed that sustainability does not always need modern tools — sometimes, age-old methods, when practiced with dedication, can be just as powerful and inspiring.

Written by,

A. Denshi & P.S. Moghitha

I Year Students (2025 Batch)