Water Situation

This Summer Tiruvannamalai is facing severe water shortages and although the TNEB (Tamil Nadu Electricity Board) has announced a 9-hour supply for agriculture, long power cuts are common place throughout rural Tamil Nadu.

Farmers have asked that the TNEB maintain a three-phase power supply for agriculture – 6 hours in the morning and 6 hours in the evening. They have also requested expansion works of the Mettur thermal power station be expedited immediately. To read more on the concerns over the looming power crisis check this link here:

I’ve been told by those who have originated from this place, that as recently as thirty years ago it was rare to see paddy (rice) cultivated in these parts. Tiruvannamalai is a dry area with limited water resources and heavily depends upon the rain acquired through its seasonal rainy seasons.

A combination of independent bore wells and thus a more easily accessible water supply and the considerable incentive of free electricity, has driven farmers to plant ‘cash crops’ that need excessive water irrigation. Currently with temperatures in the early 100s (Fahrenheit degrees) makes the sight of twice daily water flooded rice fields somewhat bizarre!

There is no doubt that countries and communities need to maintain an independent agricultural system. However the fact is Tamil Nadu is likely to face a severe water crisis in the next half century and according to experts, what will contribute to the crisis is the fast-depleting groundwater table, and the increasing pollution of water sources. The crisis in the making in Tamil Nadu would be as much about the quality of water available as its shrinking availability. Experts want Tamil Nadu to reduce its dependence on water from neighbouring States and formulate alternative plans.

As well as the concern that many rivers are already badly polluted in the State, another area of concern is the general over-exploitation of groundwater. According to experts, too many farmers are cultivating water-intensive crops and are indiscriminately exploiting groundwater for irrigation, which has led to a steep fall in the water table.

In this respect agriculture accounts for 85-90% of the total use of water in the State. Even by the judicious planting of less water intensive crops and gaining a 10% reduction in the agricultural sector, would considerably ease the impending water shortage situation.

To read an excellent report on the Tamil Nadu water problem please click here:

And to read a previous posting on 'Water Sustainability: Extract from Report on Rain Fed areas by Planning Commission, New Delhi'; click on this link here.

Arunachala Countryside

Been having some nice jaunts into the surrounding Arunachala countryside over the last few weeks. And the below photographs are of the peaceful existence away from the ever sprawling metropolitan area of Tiruvannamalai.

The below is of the cowshed.

And here is the one-week old little calf, Ramana --- ahhh!

A wonderful home-made outside cooker. Which I can tell you from experience works really well.

And some chickens hanging out trying to pick up scraps and tidbits.

And below are the lovely rustic farmers who actually belong to the farm next door - but were just visiting. As most readers will know, its unusual for couples to hold hands in public in this country -- except perhaps for College kids in Bangalore or Chennai etc. However this lovely couple, once my back was turned, were actually holding hands - so sweet.

And the next photograph is of the rustic farmhouse.

I took the next photograph of the tiled roof simply because I like the traditional roof so much.

The fields have been sewn with paddy, and everything looks supernaturally green, the hay is piled up for livestock, irrigation ditches have been cleaned out and repaired, Arunachala is hiding behind the trees - and everything is ready to move right along. Good times are here.

If you are interested in finding out more about the availability of agricultural or rural land around Arunachala, check out this link here.

India Food Production

I think the below extract, taken from an article by an Indian agricultural scientist, most interesting in light of the current crisis in food prices throughout the world. In this respect even with over a billion people to feed, India is totally committed to ensuring internal food production is sufficient to meet the needs of domestic consumption instead of relying upon imports.

“India is in a precarious position with food grain production stagnating. Wheat and rice yields are either stagnating or plummeting, thanks to the combined effect of the environmental fallout from monoculture, degraded soils, escalating soil salinity and drying aquifers and a combination of the mindless use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides and inefficent use of water. Cereal availability is down to 400 gm per capita per day compared to 475 gms in 1976. And in the cases of pulses, the per rate capita is 33 gms a day compared to 61 rams a day in 1951.

Instead of despairing about the gloomy situation on the food front, India needs to gear up and:

1. Expand wheat area.
2. Put in place a National Grain Policy. On no account should it allow the acreage under food grains, currently at 69 per cent of total arable land, to shrink.
3. Abolish the concept of the MSP and put in place a market driver price mechanism where Indian wheat farmers get the best price that will help the Government buy enough grains for public distribution and domestic consumption.
4. Put in place a wheat consortium where private millers and government join hands.
5. Throw ay the ‘text book’ knowledge of soil management as India’s fatigued soil is crying out for real attention.
6. Examine crop distribution in the case of sugarcane where a huge surplus is grown for export and thereby depriving land for growth of food for domestic consumption.
7. Extend the wheat area into South India.
8. Redesign the entire fertiliser subsidy programme and make it farmer oriented.”

[With thanks to KP Prabhakaran Nair]

Lutheran Compound

Yesterday I visited 'Quo Vadis' an Inter Faith Dialogue Centre, which is being built by the Lutheran church in Tiruvannamalai, near Chengam Road and close to both Sri Ramana Maharshi and Sri Seshadri Swamigal Ashrams. The 'Quo Vadis' facility which was dedicated on January 25th, 2007 has already started its work. To find out more about the new Inter Faith Centre, I met with its co-ordinator Rev. Joshua Peter, who suggested we visit the Lutheran compound and administration centre in town so we could tape our conversation and also look at more of the work that the Lutheran Church is engaged in at Tiruvannamalai. It was a brilliant idea and I had an excellent and fascinating afternoon.

Currently visiting the Lutheran Compound was the Rt. Rev. Dr. Gideon Devanesan R.J. Who is Bishop of the the Arcot Lutheran Church. We were fortunate to meet and spend time with him, because he is most often resident at the Lutheran headquarters in Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu.

We had an interesting and illuminating conversation with the Bishop and I particularly resonated and agreed with a comment he made to the affect: It used to be when you met someone in Tiruvannamalai, they were here because they were interested in spiritual pursuits or to perform service thereby bettering others' lives. People came because they deeply cared. But now one meets many 'business people' who have no interest in anything other than profit, who come to Tiruvannamalai simply because of the financial opportunities it offers.

The below is a photograph of Rev. Joshua Peter, the co-ordinator of 'Quo Vadis' of which I will write about in later postings.

Below is a photograph of the visitors' cottage at the Lutheran Compound that Rt. Rev. Dr. Gideon Devanesan R.J., stays at when he visits Tiruvannamalai. I liked all the houses on the 10 acre compound, as they were built in traditional Tamil style with lots of old fashioned flourishes. The tiled roof on the visitors cottage is repeated on many of the buildings throughout the Compound.

This is the visitors' cottage and other compound housing from another aspect. So many beautiful tiled roofs and nice greenery!

The Lutheran Compound is a 10 acre oasis right in the middle of Tiruvannamalai. The Compound is known by the Biblical name of 'Lebanon'. Of the 10 acres, 3 are used for; housing 40 dalit families who live at 'Lebanon', a teachers' training facility, an accommodation block for teachers undergoing training, a handloom industry, a beautiful old-fashioned colonial style house, and also a 7 acre agricultural farm.

Below is the home of one of the Dalit families. Most of the families are Christian, however other faith based people can apply to live at 'Lebanon'; Lutheran Compound. In most cases the local pastor of surrounding villages recommend families in dire distress and try to arrange permanent help for what is usually deserted, widowed or abused wives with young children.

Accommodation for the families at 'Lebanon' is completely free, as is a fresh and continuous water supply and electricity. The women work either in the handloom section or as agriculturalists on the farm. They get paid a monthly salary for their work. I met and talked with most of the ladies in the handloom, and all seemed to have been there for 20 years plus. They were obviously pleased and grateful to have been given such a gracious and loving home. I took some great photographs of the ladies working on the looms, and look forward to posting them later on this Blog.

Below, is the back gate inside the compound which leads to 7 acres of fields that are used to grown maize, paddy (rice), and vegetables. Next time I visit 'Lebanon', the Lutheran Compound I will find out more about agricultural details and activities. As it was there was hardly enough time to hear details from Rev. Joshua Peter of the new facility, 'Quo Vadis' and something of the history of the Lutheran Church in the Arcot District, Tamil Nadu.

As you can imagine, the 10 acre compound which is situated in a busy part of town is surrounded by large buildings. The buildings in the below photograph, are nothing to do with the Lutheran Compound, and are just clustered around the outskirts of the 10 acre compound.

The below colonial style house is just beautiful. I was surprised that the Bishop, The Rt. Rev. Dr. Gideon Devanesan R.J. doesn't in stay at the lovely house during his regular Tiruvannamalai visits. Instead he prefers to stay in the small, unostentatious, guesthouse mentioned early in this posting.

The below photograph is another view of the grand old house. Quite lovely and also filled with some very nice antique furniture; impossible to purchase nowadays as much of the wood previously used in furniture in this country, is now 'off limits'.

This is the prayer hall which located inside the colonial style house. Much of the administration offices are also located in the building.

The Lutheran Church has many schools and hospital facilities throughout the State of Tamil Nadu. Below is a photograph of the inhouse teachers training college located inside the compound.

The pink buildings below are residential facilities for teachers being trained to work in one of the numerous schools maintained by the Lutheran Church in Tamil Nadu.

The demographics of Tiruvannamalai is approximately 70% Hindu and 30% comprised of Moselm and Christians. Definitely hope in upcoming postings to give alot of information about the great work being undertaken by members of all faiths and nationalities.

GM causes 'breakdown'

Previously mentioned in an earlier posting are the isolated attempts of groups of farmers to reintroduce and strengthen traditional farming in Tiruvannamalai District.

Sadly throughout the South, there is evidence of farmers rushing to act as 'testers' for GM companies. In this respect in today's Independent (U.K.), the following article appeared relating specifically to Andhra Pradesh but which doubtedlessly applies to agricultural areas elsewhere in South India.

Genetically modified crops have helped cause a "complete breakdown" in farming systems in India, an authoritative new study suggests. The study threatens to deal a fatal blow to probably the most powerful argument left in the biotech industry's armoury, that it can help to bring prosperity to the Third World.

Professor Glenn Davis Stone, professor of anthropology and environmental studies at Washington University in St Louis, Missouri, has spent more than 40 weeks on the ground in the biotech industry's prime Developing World showcase, the Warangal District of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh.

The industry claims that local farmers have adopted GM cotton faster than any other agriculture technology in history. It argued at the prestigious Biovision conference in Lyon this month that the rapid spread proves that the technology is working for farmers.

Professor Stone's study, published in the February issue of the journal Current Anthropology, demolishes this argument. Extensive interviews with the farmers proved that they are plumping for the GM seeds because they are new, hyped and locally fashionable, without having time to see if they produce better crops.

"There is a rapidity of change that farmers just can't keep up with," he says. "They aren't able to digest new technologies as they come along."

He adds that the rapid uptake "reflects the complete breakdown in the cotton cultivation system".

[The Independent
25 March 2007]

Traditional Farming

Some paddy (i.e. rice) farmers of Kalasamppakkam, a village near Tiruvannamalai are now using a variety of a nearly extinct seed 'Thuyamalli' in place of hybrid varieties.

A mechanic, P.T. Rajendran, working in the State Transport Corporation first introduced 'Thuyamalli' in the area because of fears about the economic, agrarian and health consequences of using hybrid varieties with chemical fertilizers and pesticides. The seeds were obtained from a traditional seed activist from Chengam.

Since the introduction of this seed into the area other farmers have also started using varieties of traditional seeds such as kichily samba, karpalai, mappillai samba, samba moosanam, perungar, madumuzhungi and vadan samba. The change in seeds has marked a change in the system of their agriculture.

Farmers in adjacent lands using hybrid seeds which necessitate the additional use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, are getting 20 to 25 bags (75kg each) of paddy per acre whereas the traditional methods using only a small amount of cow dung as natural manure, yields 12 to 15 bags of paddy per acre. However the farmers using traditional natural methods feel the cost of chemical fertilizers and pesticides offset the reduced yield of rice in their fields.

P.T. Rajendran says: "In all these years of traditional farming, we have virtually not used pesticides, because these varieties are extremely pest resistant. Even when we were faced with a pest problem several times, we managed it with a concoction made out of local herbs. Non-utilisation of chemical pesticides not only has saved farmers' money, but has also ensured soil and human health. Now there are around 20 farmers in our village that have shifted to traditional seeds and become liberated from chemicals."

Currently farmers using the traditional 'Thuyamalli' are selling their produce mainly as seeds as the number of farmers shifting to traditional farming is increasing. These local farmers are extremely satisfied that traditional varieties of seeds and agricultural techniques are beginning to make a comeback. In this respect the farmers said,"We propagate to keep up this practice and not to give up to the marauding hybrid and Genetically Modified seeds marketed by Multi National Companies."

Water Problem

Tamil Nadu is likely to face a severe water crisis in the next half century. According to experts, what will contribute to the crisis is the fast-depleting groundwater table, and the increasing pollution of water sources. The crisis in the making in Tamil Nadu would be as much about the quality of water available as its shrinking availability. Experts want Tamil Nadu to reduce its dependence on water from neighbouring States and formulate alternative plans.

As well as the concern that many rivers are already badly polluted in the State, another area of concern is the general over-exploitation of groundwater. According to experts, too many farmers are cultivating water-intensive crops and are indiscriminately exploiting groundwater for irrigation, which has led to a steep fall in the water table. In this respect agriculture accounts for 85-90% of the total use of water in the State. Even by the juidicious planting of less water intensive crops and gaining a 10% reduction in the agricultural sector, would considerably ease the impending water shortage situation.

[To read an excellent a full report on the Tamil Nadu water problem please check this link]