A regular day on the farm in Channarayapatna starts with the soil, not the crop.
Gangadhar is a farmer growing turmeric, ginger, coconut, vanilla, sugarcane, and more — all on the same land.
He's serious about protecting what he grows, avoiding synthetic chemicals entirely. Instead, he makes his own pesticides and soil fertilisers, using natural ingredients typically sourced from the farm itself.
The first is a concoction of jaggery, soil, cow urine and dung, pulse flour, and plain flour. Known as Jeevamrutha, this is a traditional liquid fertiliser often used in sustainable and natural farming. The mix restores soil health and encourages good bacterial activity in plants.
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The second is an organic pesticide that he developed. It combines around 10 types of leafy plants with water and buttermilk. After sitting for 15 days, the mix is then ready to be sprayed across the fields.
Watching Gangadhar work is proof of his knowledge and expertise. Holding up a single turmeric root, he can tell if the whole crop is healthy or sick. He reads the leaves of the plants to know exactly when they're ready for harvest. This isn't the kind of knowledge that comes from a manual, or from guesswork. It comes from years of watching the same soil, the same plants, season after season.
