A lesson in growing your own food, naturally

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, March 15

A six acre green space that houses a miniature forest, an ayurvedic garden, a greenhouse for vegetables, a kids theme park and a splendid bonsai studio, ACE Agro Farms at Taran Tarn road is a dulcet sight for the sore eyes and breath of fresh air for lungs choked with city’s sullied air. The agricultural farm is practically a guided tour for new techniques in natural farming with short-term garden learning programmes now running for anyone with green fingers.

Crops produced at the farm using natural techniques

• Black wheat — a wheat strain containing anthocyanin
• Black rice or oryza sativa — Also known as ‘forbidden rice’ in Ancient China, as only elite or royalty could afford to eat it
• All types of millets except bajra or pearl millet
• Five species of mushrooms

First set up as learning ground for students of agriculture, the farms are managed and maintained under the guidance of Prof SM Bhatt, associate professor, Department of Agriculture, Amritsar College of Engineering and technology (ACET), the farm has several standout features. It has created a mini forest with over 100 species of native, indigenous plants, including jamun, mulberry, peepal, mango and bel. Aesthetics like a miniature bridge, huts and mud houses with figurines festoon the forest as it hosts kids for garden learning programme, making them familiar with natural farming techniques.

Another striking feature is the mini ayurvedic garden that grows native varieties of medicinal plants. Variety of tinospora cordifolia (also known as giloy), cymbopogon citratus or staph also known as lemon grass, five types of basil, aloe vera and turmeric plant are grown. Introducing the technique of creating terrace farms and gardens, through aquaponic nursery, the farm uses fish water drip irrigation system to grow leafy vegetables like lettuce, cherry tomatoes and strawberries using coconut husk in planters and organic manure. “The future of gardening as well as farming needs to keep in mind the sustainability aspect with maximum output using limited natural resources. We have tried to create a space that represents a balanced ecosystem and is self-sustainable,” shared Prof SM Bhatt.

The aesthetic corners of the farm come in form of a cacti garden and a bonsai studio inside the farm created by Ragini Sharma, director of ACET, has over 300 bonsai plants.