AGRI-PV and integration of HDP Farming in Apples Hello, Cheshta Rawat here, a South-North Program volunteer from Ecoselva in the year 2025-26. In May 2026, I did my 2-week internship at an organic apple farm, Bio-Obsthof Nachtwey, situated in Gelsdorf, a small village near the city of Bonn. Here’s the journal of my experience in […]
From Gram Disha to Germany: Learning Botanical Science in Practice Hi, I’m Cheshta. If you’ve been reading Gram Disha Trust’s blogs, you may remember that I have written for this platform before. Few of my articles are: History of Organic Farming in India, Identifying Wild Plants as Biocontrollers: 1. Girardinia diversifolia, 2. Nicotiana tabacum 3.
Understanding Apple Varieties India’s apple-growing regions from the mid-hills of Uttarakhand to the high reaches of Himachal and Kashmir are undergoing a quiet but important transformation. Growers are shifting towards high-density planting, clonal rootstocks, and natural farming methods that reduce chemical input, conserve soil health, and ensure long-term orchard viability. We believe informed decisions on
Natural Blueberries: A Backstory: Kalasan Nursery Farm (KNF) has been actively engaged in a variety of agricultural projects, with one of the noteworthy initiatives being the Blueberry Project. One key challenge which KNF has addressed is that of appropriate Varietal Selection. As there are number of crops for which little or no research is available
Cetara Certificate – 2 Star – Gram Bhawan CETARA – QR – Gram Bhawan The orchard development project at Gram Bhawan, Village Baag, is more than just a farming initiative, it is part of a long-term vision to create thriving, sustainable fruit orchards that bring both environmental and economic benefits to the local community. The
Germination Report Gram Disha Trust (GDT) with the collaboration with Kalasan Nursery Farm has its first round of germination trials as part of a broader effort to establish a community seed bank. This initiative aims to conserve, multiply, and distribute open-pollinated heirloom seeds that are well-suited to the Himalayan agro-climatic zone. Seed Bank will be
Kalasan Nursery’s Eco-Friendly Shift to Biodegradable Grow Bags In the face of climate change and increasing plastic pollution, sustainability in agriculture is no longer optional, it’s essential. At Kalasan Nursery Farm (KNF), we’ve taken a meaningful step forward by introducing biodegradable, breathable cloth grow bags for our plantation and nursery operations. This innovation is a
Wild-Local Species for Insect-Pest Control – 3rd Edition The Himalayan region holds a vast repository of wild flora with untapped potential for agricultural innovation. Among these, Lantana camara known locally as Gandhari, Phulnoo, or Ghaneri is a hardy and highly adaptable plant species growing abundantly in the mid-hills of Himachal Pradesh. This third report, Identification of
Wild-Local Species for Insect-Pest Control – 2nd Edition The Himalayan region holds a wealth of botanical resources. Among these, wild-growing and naturalized species are increasingly being re-evaluated for their potential in agroecological pest management. The use of wild plants as natural insect-pest repellents continues to be a cornerstone of traditional farming—especially in Himachal Pradesh, where
Smallholders Orchards – Insights from Gram Bhawan, Village Baag On February 16th, 2025: I conducted my second visit to the Model Farm under development – Gram Bhawan at Village Baag, with the objective of assessing the condition of the plantation plots and checking the progress made since my last visit. This visit was crucial in
