SOIL

Natural farming is mainly dependent on Soil. It is known that, to form top most fertile soil layer, it takes hundreds of years, that too if it is covered with vegetation. This topsoil layer can vary from 6 inch to several feet. With each rain it erodes towards slopes and land loses its fertility. To stop soil erosion and to arrest it in farm itself, sowing can be done along contours. Contours can be marked as per water level and by giving 2% slope for water discharge.

WATER

The next important factor of natural farming is water. Every farm should be self sufficient in terms of water. Water can be taken from well, tube well or farm can be dependent on rain water. But, water harvesting should be on top most priority. Various water ponds, water holes and trenches help in water seepage and enriches aquifers inside the ground. It also helps in raising water table. Water holes, ponds, trenches creates microclimate which results in enhancing micro-fauna around it. Sowing/ plantation along the contours help in slowing down water discharge from the field. Contour helps water to percolate inside the ground.

INTERCROPPING

With finite resources we cannot achieve infinite growth. Now a days we have limited land. To become self-sufficient in terms of food, a farmer should grow as many crops as possible. It also helps in arresting many pests. Multiple crops occupy maximum land mass, optimum sun light and require less water. Also, it helps in nourishing soil by fixing nitrogen/ carbon to it. Leaf litter gives biomass to the soil. Also, harvesting time of each crop is different, hence it gives scope to each crop to grow. When various crops covers the soil, weeds doesn’t get space there. In this way, farmer doesn’t need to spend on deweeding practices.

WORKSHOPS

Vihang believes in sharing experience with layman, groups and with other farmers. At “Vihang” we organises various workshops for natural farming practices, soil conservation techniques, water harvesting techniques, making of organic fertilizers and for basic farming practices. Preparation of “Jeevamrut”, “Dashaparni ark”, “Ghanajeevamrut”, “Amrut mitti” etc also part of the workshop.

School children and enthusiast are welcome here for basic introduction of farming practices and also to get hand on experience of farming. We emphasise on co-existence of various elements of nature and its intrinsic web which helps each other to grow.

TRADITIONAL ART

“Vihang” believes in sustainability. And time-tested art proves as sustainable practices. In traditional “Gond” tribe, they use to make murals on walls with the help of mud. They used to make such engrossed art on walls and then colour it with natural colours.

CONTEMPORARY ART

Any age group enjoys painting or any art fort for that matter. If children gets bigger canvas, they just love to paint it. Hence, we at “Vihang” offered them two big walls to paint. Noted artist, Abha Bhagwat from Pune was there to guide the mob.

NATURE TRAILS

FAMILY FARMER

ECO ARCHITECTURE