Fruit Orchard Development at Gram Bhawan; Baag.

Progress Since the First Visit: 

During my first visit on December 11th, 2024, a checkup of the orchard and surrounding farmland revealed significant challenges that required immediate intervention. Some of the issues observed included – 

• Extensive weed growth – Large portions of the land were covered with uncontrolled weed growth, restricting the healthy development of crops and fruit trees. This occured due to lack of timely labour effort to deweed. During monsoon weed growth happens aggressively. As Gram Bhawan prohibits use of chemical Weedicides or Herbicides, it is important to de-weed often.  
• Leaking canal – Himachal Pradesh has a traditional system of gravity irrigation called Kulh. For the first time the Goverment financed repair and construction of a Kulh at the farm. However, there were design and engineering issues by the masons during its construction. Incessant water flow from upstream and torrential rains damanged portions of the poor construction further. This impacted one of the fields, contributing to waterlogging and poor soil conditions. Crops were also lost and weed impact increased. Proper drainage is essential in orchard management as excessive moisture can lead to root rot and other fungal infections. The time taken for the repair work is unpredictable as the crop season progresses. As a result the practitioners at Gram Bhawan decided to make water gullies at each terrace to channelise flow of excess water from the fields and save the crops. 
• Pest infestations and disease risk –Woolly aphids (Eriosoma lanigerum) and scale pests had begun damaging apple trees (Malus domestica), while papery bark, an early sign of canker (Neonectria ditissima), was observed in several plants. If not managed, these infestations could lead to significant yield losses.
• Poor nutrient management – The soil lacked adequate nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium supplementation, leading to poor growth and stunted trees. Fruit trees require a balanced nutrient supply to produce healthy yields, and deficiencies in macronutrients like nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) can result in weak root development, poor fruit set, and increased susceptibility to diseases.
• Neglected field sections – Some sections of the farm had remained untouched due to leopard activity, making regular maintenance difficult. As a result, these areas had excessive overgrowth, creating a breeding ground for pests.

By the time of my second visit, it was evident that several corrective actions had been taken, significantly improving the orchard’s overall health – 

1. Weed removal had been completed. The fields were now clean and free from excessive weed growth, making way for better nutrient absorption and efficient land use. Mulching with weed residue was done on beds for the plants for moisture retention and soil degradation. Care is to be taken in ensuring that weed are cut and mulched before they form flowers or seeds, else they will grow back with greater vigour in the next season.
2. Irrigation issues had been partially resolved. The leaking canal had been temporarily managed, although further repair work was still required.
3. Pruning and Insect-pest control had been initiated. Several trees had undergone initial pruning, and pest treatments were planned for infected plants.
4. Soil fertility had been slightly improved. Composting had been partially implemented, and recommendations for further soil improvement were provided.
5. New plantation strategies were developed. Plans for introducing new fruit trees were being implemented to enhance diversity and sustainability.