There is an amazing place I have been visiting for the last couple of years & I recommend it to all. A visit to the farm, ‘Pluck to Home’, five-six kilometres away from LB, is a perfect example of ‘experiential learning’!
The farm is founded on the concept ‘grow and pluck your own vegetables’ which is a unique experience for us who live in flats and have no kitchen gardens to get that experience. It is located on the Yamuna riverbank; therefore, the soil is very fertile.
It is a 10-15-minute drive from LB; the drive is enjoyable through an unknown part of Noida & full of greenery. The air feels fresh, the sky above is clear. I feel rejuvenated being away from the concrete jungles.
At the farm, I saw big structures covered with white net. I was told that it was a Net House, a unique agricultural practice done in cities on small land scale. The net filters the air and maintains the requisite temperature needed for crops.
I saw creepers of cucumber going up with tendrils dangling in the air. I observed how vegetables like bell peppers, lettuce, cherry tomatoes etc. are cultivated. I plucked a few cucumbers, washed and ate them raw. They were crunchy, juicy and delicious!
The farm team educates kids about plants, harvesting and also informs how they procure their seeds from other states. These seeds grow into healthy plants without any chemical fertilizers. They also had a composting pit to make eco-friendly organic compost. I relaxed knowing that the veggies I ate were pure and not filled with chemicals that could threaten my health.
I have started relishing these juicy vegetables which I avoided as a kid. This visit changed my view towards vegetables seeing how crunchy and healthy the salad made out of these was. The exotic Chinese vegetables grown on Indian soil have become my favourite.
There were bell pepper saplings ready to be sown; the person in charge helped us sow them. On my next visit after a few weeks, I shall be able to reap the fruits of these! Isn’t that wonderful?! The farm team even has an arrangement for home delivery of these chemical-free and fresh vegetables as we cannot visit the farm every day to pluck our vegetables!
