Organic Farming

ROSE promotes organic farming and permaculture by using local sustainable crop seeds with organic compost and manure. The fields are ploughed using oxen and a wooden plough. Local farmers are educated in organic practices and the harm that chemical fertilizers and pesticides cause. The organic crops produced are much more beneficial to the health.

ROSE offers a wide variety of activities for anyone interested in learning about organic farming methods. The agricultural work changes from season to season, but there is always work to be done. During the monsoon, volunteers can help the women plant rice in the paddy-fields (June-July). Which although hard work, is extremely enjoyable. During harvest (September-October) visitors are shown how to cut the various crops using only a knife. These crops include rice, wheat, millet, soya, beans and chickpeas to name but a few. The quiet farming months are December, January and February when path maintenance and tree planting takes place if the ground is soft enough. Wheat and rice grains are pounded with a mortar and pestle to make flour for the chapattis eaten at most meals. In the organic garden: onions, chillis, garlic, mustard, greens, beans, radish, peas, spinach, cabbage and many more vegetables are planted. These vegetables are staples in the Indian diet. Creating a better understanding of what goes into the meals offers the visitor a chance for greater appreciation of the food.

In addition to the foods mentioned above another prominent crop in the area is tea. The opportunity to visit a working tea plantation is one that is often of interest to the visitor.