Sonali Dutta (B126 Ridgewood Estate) moved from Gurgaon to Sangeli, Sawantwadi and Goa late 2021/early 2022, post calling it a day from her 36+years of corporate life. The blue sky, fresh air, greenery all around and the slow pace (which can be maddening at times, especially when you are working towards a plan) has made the move worthwhile despite lots and lots of hiccups.
She purchased some agricultural land with a friend about 6-7 years ago in Sangeli village, Sawantwadi, Maharashtra. Sawantwadi borders North Goa and that was an added attraction.She says “I had been going to the farm as a tourist over the years, and now, was the time to start living there. And that is exactly what I did. My friend has a small cottage on the farm and I started staying at the cottage week-10 days at a time. The cottage sits in the middle of 8 acres of our land plus many acres of surrounding farms. Every evening, the other farmers go back to their homes in the village which is about a kilometre away leaving us totally isolated. It can be eerie at times especially when it is windy.”
The farm is off the grid and the water supply is from a well, pumped up with help of a smaller solar pump. Their farm is Natural and Organic. They grow cashew, turmeric, pepper and coconuts, bananas, kokum, betel nut, cinnamon, etc. Many varieties of herbs and medicinal plants are growing with abundant flora and fauna. As they practice Natural farming, it looks a little bit like a small forest.
The philosophy behind natural farming is that you leave the land in its natural state, clearing only the areas where you are planting. The original flora and fauna help maintain the balance and nourish the land. We do not use any chemical fertilizer or pesticides but use jeevamrut, gaumutra, cow dung, goat pellets, mulch, and other natural ingredients, which makes it organic as well as natural. The difference between Natural and Organic is that in Natural Farming you work with the existing natural elements, and traditionally, and organic is farming without using chemicals or pesticides (just like in natural farming) but unlike natural farming, you can totally clear the land of all existing trees and plant afresh using modern tools and farming equipment.
“I realized I liked the farm life, though it is a hard life. Labour is short in supply as no one wants to work in the farm anymore. For any infrastructural work, a plumber or an electrician, or any other support you need to wait days. There is no time frame. It teaches you to be patient and of course, expect no financial returns immediately. The joy of seeing the plants fruiting is immensely satisfying.
I have taken an apartment on lease in Goa and travel to the farm, which is about 65 km away, and often stay over. I am now planning to build my cottage on the farm also. The cottage will have space to take in people who want to live the farm life for a few weeks and learn natural farming. It is certainly not easy. Nothing goes as per timelines …it happens when it happens. Right now, I am struggling to get a document from the tehsildar’s office for the last 3 months. It appears unlikely this year as the monsoon is only a month away.”
Our produce has been very well accepted and we are selling all over India, with many repeat customers. We have also started an educational webinar series “Living with Nature.” The first in the series was on “Natural Farming.” We plan to do many such webinars to enhance the knowledge in this segment.
Capt Jainendra Pant in Conversation With Sonali Dutta
